Buzz
If your car's leather seats are torn, ripped, or cracked, you may wonder whether it’s worth replacing the entire upholstery. Luckily, small damages can be repaired on your own. You can fix tears with a leather repair kit, using leather patches to cover holes, or restore the seat cover by applying a leather repair solution to hide cracks. Note: large tears or holes should be handled by an experienced leather repair professional.
Steps
Repair tears using a leather repair kit
Choose a repair kit that matches the color of your seat leather. The best option is a leather repair kit from the car manufacturer. Alternatively, you can compare different kits to find one that closely matches the upholstery color.
Clean the seats. Use a mild soap and a damp cloth to clean the leather. Gently scrub to remove debris, dust, and dirt. Then, allow the seats to dry completely before proceeding.
Trim any uneven edges around the tear. If the edges of the tear are frayed or sticking out, use scissors to trim them.
Apply a fabric backing underneath the tear. Insert a piece of fabric into the hole to serve as a backing. Apply a small amount of glue around the edges of the tear to attach the fabric. Allow the glue to dry fully.
Apply filler to the tear. Use a putty knife to spread leather repair filler onto the fabric backing inside the tear. Wait for the first layer to dry before applying another. Continue applying until the filler slightly rises above the surface of the leather.
Sand the filler. Once the filler has fully dried, use a fine sanding block to smooth the top layer. Sand until the filler is level with the rest of the leather.
- Avoid over-sanding the surrounding leather. A sanding block is more effective than sandpaper as it offers better control.
Wipe the leather surface with a damp cloth. Use a clean, slightly damp cloth to remove any remaining dust or debris from sanding. Then, allow the seat to dry before proceeding.
Apply colorant to the filler. Use a clean cloth to apply the colorant to the area you filled with putty. Apply several layers if necessary, and allow it to dry completely until the color matches the surrounding leather.
Seal the area with leather filler. Use a clean cloth to apply leather filler over the repaired area. The filler will protect the color layer from wear. Make sure to wait until the filler is completely dry before sitting on the seat.
Use a patch
Choose a patch that matches the seat leather. The leather you select for the patch should match the seat's color. If possible, use the spare leather from the vehicle or a leftover upholstery piece near the seat's frame.
- Alternatively, you can select a different leather with a similar texture and dye it to match the upholstery color.
Cut the patch to fit the damaged leather area. The patch should be slightly larger than the hole or tear, allowing you to attach it to the surrounding intact leather. Use sharp scissors to neatly trim the edges of the patch.
Insert parchment paper behind the hole or tear. To prevent the adhesive from hardening the foam inside the seat, insert parchment paper larger than the patch behind the hole or tear. Slide one side in and push the other side beneath the leather layer.
Attach the patch with leather adhesive. Apply leather glue to the edges of the patch. Gently press the patch over the hole or tear, ensuring it covers the entire damaged area and blends seamlessly with the rest of the seat.
Allow the glue to dry completely. Follow the instructions that come with the leather adhesive to determine the necessary drying time. Avoid sitting on or placing any objects on the seat until the glue has fully dried.
Polish with leather repair solution
The leather repair solution must match the seat's color. You can send a small piece of leather (such as the extra piece under the seat) to the supplier of the leather repair solution to find the right product. Alternatively, you can provide the color code or name to the supplier to purchase the exact shade. Leather repair solutions are a mix of putty and bonding compounds, available in many automotive and upholstery stores.
- Test the product in an inconspicuous area before applying it to the entire seat. Adjust the color with the included toner or choose another more suitable color if necessary.
Clean the leather seats. Sweep off any dust and debris, then apply a small amount of leather cleaning solution to a soft cloth or sponge. Wipe the entire seat to remove dirt. Next, use a mild solvent (such as 50% rubbing alcohol) on a clean cloth to wipe the seat and remove any remaining residues. Allow the seat to dry completely before moving to the next step.
Apply the diluted leather repair solution to a sponge and rub it into the worn areas. Dilute the leather repair solution with water at a 30% ratio before applying it to cracks and creases. Wipe the seat with a damp cloth to remove any leftover compounds from the surface and cracks. After applying the solution, let the surface dry completely before adding another layer to enhance the color or fill in the cracks.
Apply a final coat across the entire seat. Once the repaired areas are dry, apply a layer of leather repair solution evenly across the entire seat. This will ensure a uniform color and make the repaired sections less noticeable.
Condition the leather after the surface has dried. Once the seat is fully dry, apply a conditioning solution to prevent future cracking. Use a soft cloth to spread the conditioning solution over the entire seat. Wait for the seat to dry completely before sitting on it.
Preventing damage
Use a sunshade for your car. Direct sunlight can cause the leather to fade and crack over time. Attach a retractable sunshade to the windshield to protect your interior from harsh sunlight and heat. It's best to cover your car whenever it will be exposed to the sun for long periods, such as when parking in a company lot all day.
Regularly condition leather items. Leather is prone to cracking and tearing when it becomes too dry. Clean the seats and apply a leather conditioner every six months or so. Use a soft cloth to rub the conditioner into the leather in small circular motions to maintain the entire seat.
Tom Eisenberg
Owner of West Coast Tires & Service
Owner of West Coast Tires & Service
The best advice is to protect leather and avoid scratching the surface. Scratches and small cracks are relatively easy to fix, but tears are much more challenging. Some leather experts can expertly repair and restore tears, but the process is far from simple.
Be cautious with sharp objects. Keys, tools, pocket knives, and other sharp items can puncture or cause tears in the leather seats. Make sure to remove these items from your pockets before sitting in the car. Store sharp objects in the trunk, on the floor of the car, or place a thick blanket over the seat before placing anything on it.
Items you'll need
Repairing a tear with a leather repair kit
- Leather repair kit
- Scissors
- Clean cloth
- Gentle soap
- Water
- Fine sandpaper block
- Leather adhesive
Using a patch
- Leather patch for repair
- Scissors
- Wax paper
- Leather adhesive
Polish with leather repair solution
- Leather cleaning solution
- Sponges or cloth
- 50% rubbing alcohol
- Leather repair solution
Preventing damage
- Car sunshade
- Leather conditioning solution
- Clean cloth
