I would like to know if you can either dye or spray paint a leather recliner. I recently found an Ekornes Stressless large recliner (yes, THAT one, the super expensive Norwegian recliner) in the garbage that is in good structural condition re: its use as a chair. However, the leather was/is an ivory colour and is very faded and worn (not attractive looking at all & probably why it was passed by before I saw the Ekornes name on the knobs, tried the chair out, and then heaved it into my hatchback.)
My questions are: why can't I just treat it and spray paint it like I do my shoes when they get scruffy looking? That is, you can buy a leather spray paint at shoe repair places that come in various colours. Sometimes they tell you to treat the leather first with an acetone type clear liquid. I've gotten very nice results with worn looking shoes using this spray paint product. If not this for the recliner, then, is there some kind of similar "official" leather couch/chair dye/painting procedure? I wouldn't mind spending a bit to get the leather cosmetically restored, however, I wouldn't want to have it completely replaced, as at this point, it doesn't seem to need it yet, and I know this would be way past my budget.
My relatives have another slimmer, but very similar looking Ekornes recliner, dark brown, (an expensive gift from another relative many years ago) which only recently had the arm rest leathers replaced due to wear; and even that little bit of work, plus some touch ups, cost them $250. However, they seemed to think it was well worth it. They can also afford this sort of thing. Does anyone out there have any experience restoring/dying/painting quality leather couches or recliners using a reasonable budget?
Thanks for any input