When you’re digging through and spreading the compost in your garden, cutting plywood to build your own bookshelf, or hunting in a field in the dead of winter, you probably have a trusty pair of leather gloves to protect your skin from the elements. Gloves also help you secure a strong grip on whatever tool you’re working with. But as hard as you work and as much as you use them, it’s only a matter of time before they show their age—getting rips, tears, and holes that can compromise the fabric.

Before you toss those gloves out, however, try your hand at repairing them yourself. A DIY repair using a heavy-duty sewing kit and a waterproof sealant like Seam Grip WP, will extend the life of your outdoor leather gloves in just a few minutes. These tools help you complete a high-quality and durable repair that’s permanent and waterproof—because you need your gloves to perform under all sorts of conditions.

Want to learn how to patch your work or snow gloves quickly? Here’s a short guide on how to fix your leather gloves for good.

Leather Glove Repair: A Step-by-Step Guide

• Sewing Kit
• Seam Grip WP Waterproof Sealant & Adhesive
• Scissors

Estimated Repair Time: 20 minutes to sew; 8-12 hours to cure.

Here are the steps you need to take to get the job done:

Step 1: Clean the repair area thoroughly and remove old, hanging thread with your fingers (or a seam ripper if you have access to one).

Step 2: Grab your heavy-duty thread from your sewing kit and cut at a 45° angle. Thread your needle and knot the thread at the tail end.

Step 3: Using a zigzag stitch, close the rip or tear on the leather and then tie the thread once it’s completely patched.

Step 4: After you’ve completed the stitching, apply a thin film of Seam Grip WP on top of the stitched area using the application brush to spread the urethane sealant.

Step 5: Lay your leather glove flat in a dry location and leave to cure for 8-12 hours.

Tip: You can also use Seam Grip WP to seal tarps, tents, sleeping pads, and anything else that has a leak.