Not sure how to fix patent leather scratches? Patent leather has a beautiful glossy finish which makes it a popular material for many fashion items. Unfortunately, patent leather is delicate and more susceptible to scratch marks than any other type of leather.
In this post, I’ve gathered the best methods and tips on how to remove scratches from patent leather. With the right products, it’s possible to restore scuffed patent leather items at home! Whether you need to repair deep scratches, peeling, or scuffs on patent leather, I’ve recommended the best products and techniques to fix any damage.
Here’s how to get scratches out of patent leather shoes, purse, heels, and boots!
I may earn a small commission for purchases made through links in this post at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Frugal Home Addict! Learn more about my disclaimer policy here.
Best Products To Remove Scratches From Patent Leather
How To Fix Patent Leather Scratches
1. Patent Leather Cleaner
Patent leather cleaner is specially formulated to remove dirt, grime, and oil from patent leather. A good quality cleaner will also get rid of any stains, discoloration, and scratch marks on the surface.
- RELATED: How To Restore Suede Shoes (6 Ways)
To restore scuffed patent leather, I recommend using this Patent Cleaner & Conditioner from Moneysworth & Best. This amazing cleaner adds shine to your patent leather items while removing minor scratches and scuffs. After application, this product continues to protect your patent shoes, boots, and heels from scratches and everyday damage.
Here’s how to fix patent leather scratches with patent leather cleaner:
How To Remove Scratches From Patent Leather With Patent Leather Cleaner
- Before using the patent leather cleaner, wipe down your leather item with a slightly damp, clean soft cloth. Remove any dirt, dust, and debris.
- Go to a well ventilated area or outdoors. Place newspapers under the item to catch any spills.
- Apply a small amount of patent leather cleaner on a microfiber cloth. In small circular motions, gently work the product into the scratch and scuff marks until they are no longer visible or minimized.
- Once finished, allow the patent leather to dry completely. Use a clean microfiber cloth to buff out the leather to restore the leather’s shine.
2. Patent Leather Polish
Leather Luster High Gloss Brilliant Patent Leather Finish | Amazon
Patent leather polish restores shine and color to dull-looking patent leather. Polishing items with leather polish is a great way to make worn out patent leather shoes, purses, heels, and boots look brand new. A quality patent leather polish can also repair deep scratches and scuffs.
I highly recommend this High Gloss Brilliant Patent Leather Finish from Leather Luster. A little product goes a long way and I love how it gives patent items a beautiful shiny black color. Note that the linked patent leather polish is in black (you should select the polish color based on the color of your patent items).
Before using, make sure to remove old wax from your shoes or boots. Colored leather polish can also stain your hands and other non-leather items, so wear gloves when handling. Open the can carefully and place newspapers under it to catch spills.
Note that patent leather peeling can sometimes happen when applying leather polish on new shoes and boots. Don’t worry when this happens—just use grade #0000 steel wool to sand it down and reapply the polish. Here’s how to remove scratches from patent leather with a patent leather polish:
How To Fix Patent Leather Scratches With Patent Leather Polish
- Before starting, wipe down your leather item with a slightly damp, clean soft cloth. Remove any dirt, dust, and debris. If the patent leather is waxed, make sure to remove the wax before applying polish.
- Go to a well ventilated area or outdoors. Place newspapers under the item to catch any spills. If your polish is colored, wear gloves to protect your hands from stains and place paper towels under the polish can.
- Using a clean microfiber cloth, apply a thin layer of patent leather polish over the entire leather. Gently work the product into the scratch and scuff marks in small, circular motions.
- Wait for each coat to dry completely before adding additional coats. For best results, I recommend applying two to three coats of patent leather polish. If the scratches are still visible, you can add more layers of polish.
- Once finished, allow the patent leather to dry completely. Use a clean microfiber cloth to buff out the leather to restore its shine. If there is any peeling, use a grade #0000 steel wool to sand and smooth down the leather before reapplying the polish.
3. Leather Cleaner
Besides cleaning off dirt and grime, leather cleaner can help restore a leather item’s original look and feel. A good quality cleaner will also protect leather products from future damage and minimize the appearance of small scratches.
Note that not all leather cleaners can work on patent leather. For scuffs on patent leather, I recommend using this amazing Leather Cleaner from Leather Honey. This product has a natural formula that gently and effectively removes dirt, oil, minor scratches, and stains.
This leather cleaner is one of the best cleaners for leather items and is safe to use on patent leather! Note that this product won’t repair deep scratches in leather (use a colored patent leather polish instead).
Here’s how to get scratches out of patent leather with leather cleaner.
How To Get Scratches Out Of Patent Leather With Leather Cleaner
- Before using the leather cleaner, wipe down your patent leather item with a slightly damp, clean soft cloth. Remove any dirt, dust, and debris. Place newspapers under the item to catch any spills.
- Apply a small amount of leather cleaner on a microfiber cloth. In small circular motions, gently work the product into the scuff and scratch marks. Before the cleaner dries, wipe off the excess product with a clean microfiber cloth. The scratches and scuffs should be less visible after cleaning.
4. Nail Polish Remover
Nail polish remover contains acetone and/or ethyl acetate. This liquid solvent is designed to dissolve nail polish, but can also be used to restore scratched and scuffed patent leather. If patent leather polish or cleaner does not completely remove scratch marks, you can try using nail polish remover to finish the job.
Nail polish remover polishes and melts away scratch marks making damaged patent leather look smooth and brand new. It is super affordable (you can buy a bottle for around $1) and is a great alternative to shoe care products.
Although nail polish remover can remove scuffs on patent leather, note that it can actually damage your items when you use it incorrectly. Too much nail polish remover can break down the coating from patent leather. Unlike the leather products above, nail polish remover doesn’t add any shine, and can even dull and brittle the look of patent leather.
If you still want to use it, here’s how to fix patent leather scratches safely with nail polish remover:
How To Remove Scratches From Patent Leather With Nail Polish Remover
- Before applying nail polish remover, wipe down your patent leather item with a slightly damp, clean soft cloth. Remove any dirt, dust, and debris.
- Work outside or in a well ventilated area. Place newspapers under the item to catch any spills.
- Apply a small amount of nail polish remover onto a cotton pad. In small, circular motions, gently rub the nail polish remover over the scratch and scuff marks.
- If you are satisfied with the results, wipe off the excess nail polish remover with a clean microfiber cloth.
5. Petroleum Jelly
Petroleum Jelly is a clear, odorless, and waxy substance that is derived from petroleum. This jelly-like ointment is traditionally used as a cream to protect the skin from dryness and irritation. Did you know that you can use petroleum jelly to hide and fill minor scratches and scuffs in patent leather?
Petroleum jelly is an affordable way to conceal imperfections in patent leather shoes, purse, heels, and boots. It hydrates leather, cleans dirt and dust off the surface, and adds shine and softness to patent leather items. Petroleum jelly also adds a layer of protection and protects your leather from cracking, peeling, and scuffing.
Although petroleum jelly has many benefits, I don’t recommend using it on severely damaged and cracked shoes. You should also avoid applying too much product, otherwise it can make patent leather look greasy.
Here’s how to remove scratches from patent leather with petroleum jelly.
How To Fix Patent Leather Scratches With Petroleum Jelly
- Before applying petroleum jelly, wipe down your patent leather item with a slightly damp, clean soft cloth. Remove any dirt, dust, and debris. Place newspapers under the item to catch any spills.
- Apply a small amount of petroleum jelly onto a cotton pad. In small, circular motions, gently rub the petroleum jelly over the scratch and scuff marks.
- If you are satisfied with the results, wipe off the excess petroleum jelly with a clean microfiber cloth.
Summarized: How To Fix Patent Leather Scratches
In this post, I’ve gathered the best methods and tips on how to get scratches out of patent leather. Here are the best products from this post in one convenient list:
- Moneysworth & Best | Patent Cleaner & Conditioner
- Leather Luster | High Gloss Brilliant Patent Leather Finish
- Leather Honey | Leather Cleaner
Conclusion
Patent leather is a beautiful, yet delicate material. It’s important to take proper care of patent leather items to enjoy their shine for years to come. If you have scratches on your leather items, don’t worry!
Using the right products, it’s possible to repair scratch marks and scuffs on patent leather without going to a professional. In this post, I’ve gathered some of the best tips on how to fix patent leather scratches. Note that most of the recommended methods and products from this post work best on slightly scratched and scuffed patent leather.
If you have severely damaged and worn out items, here’s a helpful tip on how to remove scratches from patent leather. To restore patent leather with deep scratches, use a colored patent leather polish. Patent leather polish can also fix patent leather peeling in shoes, purses, heels or boots!
I hope this post gave you some helpful tips on how to get scratches out of patent leather. Good luck!
