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The Kitchen Table

Separating leather

last year

We've got two end tables with leather tops, the kind with gold leaves around the perimeter. Nothing of value, they were relegated to basement furniture a while back, but my wife's got an attachment to them as they were from her grandparents' house. When I took them downstairs I temporarily stacked them top to top, and now they're completely stuck together. I'm sure I'll damage the leather if I just yank them apart. Any suggestions? Perhaps something that might penetrate between the leather without ruining it?

Comments (12)

rob333 (zone 7b)
last year
last modified: last year
Petroleum jelly. That's what I'd use. Q-tip and Vaseline. Luck!
dedtired
last year
Maybe the basement is a little damp, causing them to stick. Try blowing around the edges with a hair dryer.
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Olychick
last year
last modified: last year
I think Petroleum jelly will permanently stain and darken the leather. I would get some spray on leather conditioner and do what rob suggests with q tips or some other soft item, like maybe a silicone spatula. Spray the conditioner along and edge and keep working your way in. Probably things used for so many years to clean the tables left a residue on the leather that is now melded.

You could set the table on edge so the seam of the two tops is up-top and spray the conditioner generously at the seam and let it drip down in between.
Adella Bedella
last year
You can clean leather with a vinegar water solution. You might also try separating with that.
Lars
last year
What color is the leather?

I would try using saddle soap.
carolb_w_fl_coastal_9b
last year
Maybe dampening with water or rubbing alcohol and using a very thin dull bladed tool like a palette or butter knife to work them gently apart - thinking a spray bottle might work? It may only be stuck in a spot or 2.

You're likely going to lose some of the finish, no matter what.

Mineral spirits is another liquid that can be used on leather. We used to use it for cleaning.

Brainstorming here - do you have any liquid leather conditioner? That might work too.
whistle_b
last year
First, if you haven't already, bring them out of the basement into a less humid room. Then try some of the above suggestions, except Vaseline! A petroleum product will ruin it! Let us know what worked.
foodonastump
Original Author
last year
I appreciate all the responses. I just ran a length of dental floss between them to get a better idea of how big of an area is actually stuck. Looks to be about 8-10" round. I think I have some leather conditioner in my wife's car, might try to drip that in and perhaps help it along with some butcher twine.

I'm not overly concerned about discoloration; I don't want to destroy them of course but they've already got their share of water rings, etc. on them. My main goal is for them not to peel off the top layer.

Will let you know how I make out. Thanks again!
rob333 (zone 7b)
last year
last modified: last year
Dental floss. Filing that one away! Good one. So were some other suggestions. Nice.

Vaseline can work on some leather products. It depends. It was to be used super sparingly. How much do you think you can put on a Qtip? It is, after all, skin. I didn't make it up. I've seen it before.
Patriciae
last year
Try some heat? A hair dryer set on low.
nicole___
last year
@foodonastump...please come back when the task is completed and tell us what worked.
carolb_w_fl_coastal_9b
last year
I want to see pictures 😃

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