How To Repair Leather Handbrakes
Handbrake Leather Damaged
Vehicles that have a handbrake that’s covered in leather. They are normally made from split leather that’s ultra-thin, these are normally around 0.8mm thick.
Other types of materials used to make handbrakes are suede, alcantara and vinyl.
Plastic Covered Handbrake
With this being split leather it’s not the best grade of leather around and after a great deal of use and incorrect care handbrakes can become damaged.
Constant use of a handbrakes can result in colour loss and if not cared for correctly holes can start to appear caused by grease and grime build up on the handbrake.
Handbrake Gator Damaged
Modern cars have buttons for handbrakes that are electronic and then some vehicles have a peddle to apply the handbrake these are covered in a rubber.
Handbrakes can be repaired using a leather repair kit, first of all you have to prepare the leather surface using a leather prep solution and red scotch pad. Once this is complete, wipe over the area with alcohol cleaner to sanitise the leather fully. Once you have wiped the leather with the alcohol cleaner, don’t touch the leather again with your bare hands as grease and sweat from your fingers can get into the leather.
If you need to repair damage this can be done at this stage using the leather fillers of fibre binder to repair the damaged areas.
The next stage is to apply the leather colourant this can be done with a sponge stippling the colour onto the handbrake, allow to dry or speed the process up with a hairdryer. Once it’s fully dry, lightly sand with a 1200 grit sandpaper.
The next stage is to apply the clear top coat lacquer. The top coat lacquer can be applied in the same way as applying pigment paints, apply by sponge and stipple this on, you want to apply four coats to the handbrake allowing to dry fully between each coat and lightly sanding between each coating with 1200 sandpaper, the final coating once dry can be sanded with 3000 grit sandpaper, this is used as a polishing paper to make the handbrake ultra-smooth and feel luxurious and brand new again.
Handbrake Clear Coat Lacquer
Leather Handbrake Scuffed