The leather cover came off and the padding is peeking out like underwear from under a bikini. No worries. This is fixable, and your earphone isn't ruined – it just looks a bit rough around the edges.
Why does the leather cover come off?
The NL25 leather covers attach to the earbud body with glue and a mechanical fit. Over time, the glue gives up. Especially if your earbuds live at the bottom of a pocket alongside keys and coins, or if you handle them like a hockey ref handles his whistle after a bad call.
Earwax, sweat, and the general wear and tear of life do their thing. Leather is a natural material, and natural materials behave like natural materials – meaning they don't last forever.
If your earbuds are less than 24 months old and the cover came off on its own without any external violence, it might be a material defect. In that case, warranty's got you covered.
How to fix it yourself
If the cover is still in one piece and hasn't torn, you can try reattaching it:
- Clean first. Wipe both the inside of the cover and the earbud body with a dry cloth. Earwax and grease will stop the glue from sticking.
- Use a small amount of glue. A thin layer of contact adhesive or other flexible glue will do. Super glue works, but it's unforgiving – you get one shot.
- Place the cover back carefully. Press the edges down and let it dry in peace. Don't use the earbuds for at least an hour.
- Don't use hot glue. It's too thick and can damage the electronics inside the buds.
This is a home remedy, and it works for many people. But if the cover is torn or has vanished somewhere between the sofa cushions (a classic), you'll need a replacement part.
If the cover is lost or wrecked
At this point, you need a new cover. Unfortunately, they're not available directly from the online store, but our customer support will sort you out:
- Send a message to info@valco.fi
- Include your order number and what went wrong
- Attach a photo of the current state so we can see what's needed
If your earbuds are under warranty and the cover came off during normal use, we'll take care of it free of charge. Outside warranty, the replacement part will cost a bit, but less than a new pair of earbuds.
If that doesn't help
If something else seems off besides the leather cover – sound is leaking, the bud doesn't sit in your ear properly, or the padding has completely fallen apart – drop us a message. Our service team in Kajaani will fix these too. We don't throw earbuds in the bin over one piece of leather.
And hey – if your earbuds have survived a house renovation, a 200-kilometre hike, and a trip to Mikkeli, then that leather cover has earned its retirement. Slap a new one on and off you go again.
