Restoring a sun-faded RH Maxwell sofa
We brought back a heavily faded Maxwell in vintage charcoal by cleaning, recoloring high-wear panels, and conditioning the hide without changing its aged character.
Before: washed-out arms, dry creases, and uneven sheen.
After: color blended back in, sheen unified, suppleness restored.
A seller listed this RH Maxwell at a steep discount because the top cushions and arms had been baked by sun for years. Underneath the fading, the hide was still thick and worth saving. Here’s how we decided it was a win and the steps we took to make it floor-ready.
The piece and the problem
Sun bleaching on the arms and back pillows, dry creasing on high-touch panels, and a patchy sheen that made the sofa look shabby instead of lived-in.
Frame was solid, cushions held shape, and stitching was intact—good bones worth the effort.
Assessment and plan
We tested a hidden spot with cleaner and colorant to confirm the hide would take pigment evenly without getting tacky.
Chose to recolor only the worst panels to keep the natural patina and avoid a brand-new look that wouldn’t match the age of the sofa.
Products and tools used
pH-balanced leather cleaner and soft brushes.
Water-based colorant in a charcoal mix with a small artist brush and foam pad.
Conditioner with wax/oil blend to even sheen after recolor.
Step-by-step
The exact order of operations we followed on this piece.
Cleaning & prep
Vacuumed seams, then cleaned all contact areas with a light hand to lift oils without stripping remaining dye.
- Taped off piping to keep recolor clean.
- Let everything dry fully before color work.
Targeted recolor
Feathered colorant into arms and back cushions in thin passes, matching surrounding panels and leaving some highs/lows for character.
- Worked in daylight to judge tone shifts.
- Kept strokes small to avoid a painted look.
Condition & finish
Applied a light conditioner to reset sheen and soften creases without over-saturating the hide.
- Buffed with a clean cloth after 20 minutes.
- Final wipe-down to remove any residual tack.
Lessons learned
What we'd repeat, and what to watch for if you tackle something similar.
- Only recolor what distracts—full recolors can kill character.
- Dry time between thin coats prevents shine mismatches later.
- Test in a hidden spot; some RH hides darken more than expected.
We’re dialing in a small-batch charcoal blend for distressed RH hides—if that’s your niche, this is the place to watch.
Resources
Want more restorations like this?
Browse the rest of the restoration journal or tell us what projects you want to see broken down next.