When your car upholstery is damaged, you essentially have two options. One approach is to utilize the services of an auto upholstery repair shop. While this option is a good choice when the damage is severe, you can often repair auto upholstery that is only slightly marred on your own. Here are some tips on how to repair auto upholstery without calling on the services of an expert.

Your first task is to determine what type of upholstery you are working with. Most vehicles make use of leather, vinyl, or a fabric blend that contains sturdy synthetic fibers. There are home repair kits that are designed for use with each of these three types of upholstery. Kits of this type can be purchased in most auto supply stores as well as fabric shops and many home supply retailers.

Once you have the proper repair kit in hand, take a good look at the nature of the damage. When making auto upholstery repairs, the type of damage is just as important to the process as determining the kind of material used to construct the upholstery. For example, repairing a tear will require a slightly different process from repairing a hole or cigarette burn in the upholstery.

To repair auto upholstery with a tear, remove the needle from the repair kit. Select a thread that is as close to the color of the upholstery as possible. Sew the torn area with a simple “X” pattern, effectively closing the gash. With leather and vinyl, the kit should also include a gel that can be spread lightly over the sewn area. Once the gel dries, the repair will be firmly set in place.

An alternative approach employs the use of patches. Some kits designed to repair auto upholstery will come with a selection of colored patches along with a clear adhesive. With this sort of kit, the object is to cut the patch to fit into the rip or tear without making the rip any larger. Once fitted into position, the adhesive is applied to the underside of the tear and the top of the patch. Use a small weight to press the two materials together, creating a strong bond between the patch and the upholstery.

It is not unusual for owners to repair auto upholstery that has been damaged by cigarette burns. When the burn is in a woven fabric blend, the process may involve simply sealing the hole with a gel tinted to match the predominant color in the upholstery. Fill the hole with the gel and use the tool included in the kit to smooth the surface of the repair. Once the gel hardens, it adheres to upholstery and makes it much more difficult to detect the presence of the burn.

While it is possible to repair auto upholstery so that the damage does not spread and is less noticeable, there are no home methods that can restore the original look of the material. Auto upholstery repair shops can evaluate the damage and sometimes make a repair that is superior to what you can accomplish with the home repair kit. However, unless you want to have the seats reupholstered, try a home repair kit first. The results may be acceptable to you, and will cost a great deal less than having the work done at a shop.