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Seats are the most expensive item to restore in your car’s interior. It is up to you to decide whether or not to replace your upholstery. While professional car interior repairs or replacement is expensive, there are simple fixes that you can make to enhance the interior’s appearance and save money.
DIY Repairs for Fabric Seats
While fabric car seats are more popular than leather, they are less durable and can be easily damaged. You may be able repair the seat yourself if the damage isn’t too severe.
Ripped
Rips are not only unsightly, but they can also happen quickly. Rips can easily be caused by sliding in with keys in your pockets or placing heavy or sharp objects on the chair. Rips are not a sign that the material has been removed, but it is torn and showing the padding. You will need a curved upholstery needle, strong thread and the same color of the seat to fix it. Fray Check is another product that you might consider.
Double the thread on the needle. Next, take the thread and start at the end of the tear. Then, with someone holding the rip together you will sew the seam about 1/2 inch from the raw edges. The thread should be able to bridge the area where the tear is. The tear should be sewn along its entire length. Apply Fray Check along your repair, focusing on the holes. Fray Check blends everything, making the repair less obvious.
Holes
You should be able repair your seat yourself if the hole is less than two inches in diameter. These holes can be caused by animals, cigarettes, and sharp objects. They can also be quite deep. You will need to have the vehicle professionally repaired if it has more than two inches of damage. This is because you cannot do such a large job independently.
You can find Heat N’ Bond Ultrahold at most craft shops. A piece of fabric that matches the color and texture of the seat and cotton muslin will be needed. The fabric should be cut to fit the hole. Trim the edges of your hole neatly and evenly. Cut the Heat N’ Bond to the desired size, approximately four inches around your hole. Then heat your iron to the “silk setting” and bond the muslin with the Heat N’ Bond. Allow to cool.
These next steps can be tricky. Place the paper with the muslin facing up over the hole. Place the paper and then remove it. As the paper is removed, place the colored fabric over the hole. Cover the area with fabric and iron it over. Allow to cool.
The products come with detailed instructions. It is important to verify that the seat material can be heated. It is important not to cause more damage than it already has.
Leather Repairs You Can DIY
While leather car seats look great and are durable, they can still be damaged. You will need to have it repaired by professionals if the damage is severe. However, if there is only a small scratch, it can be done independently. Because a topcoat protects leather, light damage to the leather only affects this layer. This layer is relatively easy to fix.
Use a leather cream to smoothen the marks. It takes a cream and a soft cloth. You can also use small circles to buff the area and repair minor damage. If this fails, you can clean the area around the affected areas and allow it to dry. Use the appropriate acrylic lacquer purchased at the hardware store to mist the affected area. Allow it to dry, then apply more coats until you are satisfied with the results.
DIY To Repair Vinyl
Vinyl isn’t used in many newer cars but it is found in some older models and some modern ones. Vinyl repair is not possible without special products, but it can be done independently. As needed, you should be able repair small tears, cracks and holes.
There are many vinyl repair kits. Some are for vinyl while others can be used on leather or vinyl. The process involves applying a matching liquid on the affected area, and then matching the texture with special paper. The liquid is set by heat and then the seat can be repaired. You don’t have to match the color of liquid patches. Simply dry the liquid patches and allow them to set.
It’s time to reupholster
It is time to get professional help if your car upholstery needs serious repairs. Calling a professional is a smart idea if you don’t have the confidence to handle it yourself. If you are:
- Your car should be perfect and show quality. You will not be able to do DIY repairs.
- Repairs are damaged by a tear, hole or deep scratch. There are DIY kits that can be used to repair minor damage, but they won’t work if the damage is severe.
- Professional work is required if the damage is to the seat belt or other safety components. This will not be a good idea as it could cause injury to others.
Last Thoughts
DIY interior restoration can be a good option if the job is small. There are many ways to do it. However, professional repair or replacement may be necessary if the problem is serious.
