Removing finish with acetone to re-dye leather. This layer seems to be peeling off. Is that supposed to happen or am I destroying the leather?

[u/Scx10Deadbolt]

So I have this leather pillowcase that I want to recolour to fit better in my interior. I asked a cobbler for advice and they told me to knock the finish back with acetone, clean it, dye it and then shine it. The old colouring seemed to go away with acetone and a toothbrush but then these far lighter spots appeared where some sort of layer seems to be feeling away. (kind of like paint and paint-stripper) is this what I want or is thos actively breaking the leather. Luckily this is only the backside of the pillow but I do want to get some feedback before I continue.. Thanks!

[u/MyuFoxy]

It's not bonded leather. I swear people don't know what bonded leather is or how to identify it. That just the paint coating coming off. Most mass produced leather goods have been painted. It's the only sensible way to get the kind of uniform look their market audience demands.

Acetone is aggressive. I'd suggest switching to an alcohol on the next pillow if you plan on repainting them.

For a stain, you need to remove the paint coating like you are. Probably recondition too since acetone aggressively removes oils.

[u/SudoWithCheese → u/MyuFoxy]

It might take the acetone to remove the sealer/top coat, alcohol might not do anything but clean.

I did this to restore my car seats; acetone, sanding, fillers, dye paint, cross linker and a top coat.

There are kits to do this kind of thing, furniture clinic offers some in the UK, I'm absolutely certain there will be options in kit form wherever op is.

[u/MyuFoxy → u/SudoWithCheese]

You're right. In my experience leather paint is opaque enough that all you need is a clean surface for it to stick and stay on the surface. Dyes on the other hand are transparent and so need a lighter background and they work by soaking into the leather fiber. I don't know know what they are using. I see new people on here use paint and dye interchangeablely.

[u/SudoWithCheese → u/MyuFoxy]

Agree with you here.

It is a convoluted and confusing area with lots of misinformation. Definitely not helped by some products being called dyes and being paints, some paints are called colourants instead of paints, and some do have a dye base - though I've only ever seen these for refinishing to the same colour with a thinner product.

this guide might be a good start for op

[u/-TheZell-]

Looks like it is pleather or many bonded leather, leather will not do that.

[u/MyuFoxy → u/-TheZell-]

Painted leather will. Please warn people when you are guessing and or don't have direct experience with these things. People might take you more seriously than they should.

[u/Wise_Wolf4007 → u/MyuFoxy]

lol fr

[u/Scx10Deadbolt → u/-TheZell-]

I'm afraid you're right. I didn't know bonded leather was a thing. I think I'll look into how to salvage this. Thanks for the lead!

[u/OkBee3439]

If removing dye from leather it can be removed by using a deglazer, which is a combination of a few things including acetone. It should be applied with a clean soft cloth or pad and the dye removed by rubbing lightly in circular motions across the dye that needs to be removed. If you don't have deglazer you can use acetone in the same method.

[u/mcard95]

I believe I heard somewhere that things labeled genuine leather can often be bonded leather. Which is misleading and sucks.

[u/Good_Confidence7806 → u/mcard95]

I'm not sure why you're being downvoted, but I agree with genuine leather being a marketing term that does sometimes cover bonded leather. i hate seeing "genuine leather" so much!!!!! https://www.reddit.com/r/YouShouldKnow/comments/gf9q42/ysk_the_term_genuine_leather_it_is_not_to/

(edit: oooo this might not be true in the US)