Cleaning and maintenance
For soiled but undamaged leather without color abrasion, cracks or indentations.
Process: Cleaner → needs-based protection or protector.
View care process →VILOU leather care repair system in 6 steps
Original Leather Technology · VILOU · Made in Germany since 1999
The VILOU system: Properly care for and repair leather in 6 steps
Cleaners, degreasers, liquid leather, leather dye, sealants, and protectors each serve a different purpose. This overview shows the correct order – and which steps are actually necessary for your leather.
What do you want to achieve?
Not every application requires all six products. Choose according to the type of leather, its condition, and the extent of the damage. This way, you avoid unnecessary steps while still getting all the products needed for a lasting result.
Refreshing color wear
For stable surfaces with fading, abrasion or superficial color loss.
Process: Cleaner → Degreaser if needed → Leather dye → Sealant → Protector.
Find the right leather color →Repair and color
For suitable small cracks, cuts or palpable indentations in stable material.
Process: Cleaning → Degreasing → Liquid leather → Coloring → Sealing → Protector.
Correctly assessing damage →The six VILOU products in the correct order
1
basis of every application
VILOU Leather Cleaner – Remove dirt first
Removes typical surface soiling from suitable pigmented smooth leathers and many synthetic leathers. Only after complete drying can it be assessed whether additional color abrasion, grease contamination, or structural damage is present.
Important: Cleaning and degreasing are not the same thing.
2
Only when needed
VILOU Leather Degreaser – Prepares for adhesion before repair and coloring
Removes grease, silicone, wax, and care product residues that can impair repair or color restoration. It is used selectively after normal cleaning – not routinely with every leather care treatment.
Typically necessary: before paint or liquid leather as well as on greasy steering wheels, seat bolsters, headrests and armrests.
3
Only in case of indentation or crack
VILOU Liquid Leather – Compensating for missing material
Fills suitable small indentations, cracks, and cuts in stable, pigmented smooth or synthetic leather. Superficial color abrasion without a perceptible indentation usually does not require liquid leather.
Border: Large tears, seam damage, brittle leather or damaged upholstery should be taken to a specialist workshop.
4
In case of color loss or after repair
VILOU Leather Dye – Restore Color
Matches paint wear, abrasions, and repairs. First, check existing car or furniture colors and order directly. Only if the color match is unavailable or unclear will a sample be requested.
Order: Apply several thin layers with a sponge or airbrush; allow to dry completely.
5
Protection after paint application
VILOU Leather Sealer – protects against abrasion and discoloration
Provides additional protection for suitable smooth and synthetic leather surfaces against everyday friction, abrasion, and color transfer from clothing. Particularly useful after color restoration and in high-traffic areas.
Application: Apply a thin coat only to completely dry paint, let it dry and do not polish afterwards.
6
Care and protection against aging
VILOU Leather Protector – Care and UV Protection
It supports suppleness, color brilliance, and protection against UV-induced aging. Antioxidants slow down the natural aging process of suitable leather surfaces.
Do not confuse: Protector conditions; the sealant focuses on surface protection against abrasion and discoloration.
Which system path do you need?
| System step | Just clean & maintain | Refreshing color wear | Repair crack/depression |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Leather Cleaner | ✓ required | ✓ required | ✓ required |
| 2. Leather degreaser | – normally not | for grease/care residues | ✓ usually required |
| 3. Liquid leather | - not required | – without further investigation | ✓ in case of suitable damage |
| 4. Leather color | - not required | ✓ required | ✓ for color matching |
| 5. Sealing | on heavily stressed surfaces | ✓ Additional protection | ✓ Additional protection |
| 6.Protector | ✓ Needs-based care | ✓ according to system instructions | ✓ according to system instructions |
Complete system or individual products?
Leather care kits
For cleaning, protecting, and caring for intact leather surfaces. The appropriate size depends on the area, frequency of use, and desired system scope.
View care setsLeather repair kits
For repairing paint abrasion, suitable scratches, dents, or cracks. A set ensures that a necessary step or accessory is never missing.
View repair kitsLeather Repair Assistant
Select Car, Furniture, Boat or Professional and then narrow down the material and type of damage.
Start AssistantFor cars and furniture – but always appropriate to the material.
Car leather
Typical areas include the driver's seat, seat bolster, steering wheel, armrest, and door trim. For leather color, first check the vehicle manufacturer and the original color code.
Classifying car leather damage →Furniture leather
For suitable pigmented sofas, armchairs and chairs. Check that the surface is sound and sealed before treatment.
Select furniture products →Material limits
The standard steps described here do not apply universally to Alcantara, suede, nubuck, or open-pore aniline leather. Always test in a concealed area.
Why a coordinated system is crucial
- Clean foundation: Dirt and residues that impair adhesion are removed before repair or painting.
- Treat the damage instead of the symptom: A depression is filled, while color abrasion is selectively re-dyed.
- Thin layer structure: Repair, paint and protection are built up in a controlled manner.
- Additional protection: Sealant and protector perform different tasks.
- Reorderable system: Suitable VILOU products can be added later as needed.
VILOU recommendation: For a complete leather repair, have all necessary steps and products ready before starting work. This way, the work won't be interrupted due to a missing cleaning, dye, or protective product.
Important instructions
- Test each product in advance on a hidden area for changes in material and color.
- Allow the respective surface to dry or air out completely between each work step.
- Please observe the product, application and safety instructions on the respective product page.
- Have large cracks, seam damage, brittle surfaces, peeling artificial leather and damaged upholstery professionally inspected.
- A complete system does not mean that unsuitable or unnecessary steps have to be taken.
No blanket statement "For all types of leather": Leather types vary considerably. If the material is unfamiliar, first consult an assistant or seek expert advice.
Frequently Asked Questions about the VILOU System
Do I always need all six VILOU products?
No. The six products constitute the complete system.The necessary steps depend on the type of leather, its condition, and the extent of the damage. For normal cleaning, degreasers, liquid leather, and leather dye are usually not required.
Why does leather need to be cleaned first?
Dirt obscures the true condition and can affect subsequent products. Only on a clean and dry surface can it be determined whether further steps are necessary.
Does leather need to be degreased before every dyeing process?
Not as a general rule, but grease, wax, silicone, or care product residues must be removed before applying paint. Therefore, after cleaning, it is checked whether targeted degreasing is necessary.
When do I need liquid leather?
For a suitable, palpable indentation, a small tear, or a cut. Pure color abrasion without indentation usually only requires preparation, leather dye, and protection.
What is the difference between a sealant and a protector?
The sealant protects the surface from abrasion and color transfer from clothing. The protector provides care and supports UV and aging protection. Both products have different functions.
Is a complete set better than individual products?
A set is useful when several consecutive steps are required. It reduces the risk of missing a necessary product or accessory. For a single care procedure, however, a single product may suffice.
Now choose the appropriate VILOU system path.
Assess the damage, select the necessary steps, and gather all required products before starting work.