Despite its reputation as the “cheap” material in cars, vinyl upholstery has many benefits and can make for a reasonably upscale interior. It comes in nearly any hue, can feel similar to real leather, and is easy to clean. Making it even more appealing is its price, which is typically less than natural hydes.
Having said that, vinyl can tear, just like any other fabric or seat material. Luckily, there are many ways to repair the damage. When your vinyl seats tear, it can be frustrating, but you need to take action without much delay. As durable as it is, vinyl can and will continue tearing if not attended to.
The Drive’s editors have seen a few torn seats in their day and are here to help you get a feel for repair basics. This is one situation where a cheap, quick fix is completely acceptable, but it all depends on how comfortable you are with an ugly spot on your seats. Let’s take a closer look.
Estimated Time Needed: 1-2 hours, depending on the fix
Vinyl is made out of plastics and other materials and is frequently used as vehicle upholstery. Vinyl is upholstery, but not all upholstery is vinyl. Got it? Vinyl rose to popularity in the 1950s as plastics technology improved and has evolved into a material that today is better in some ways than real leather. It’s easy to clean and durable but does not perform as well as natural materials in hot temperatures, as it tends to feel sticky and uncomfortable.
Working on your vinyl seats can be messy and will put you in contact with chemicals that can cause burns or worse.
Before you dive into fixing your vinyl seats, decide how you want to approach the project. Do you want a seat that looks as close to perfect as possible, or do you just want to fix the tear? Are you into using an expensive kit, or do you only care about the bare minimum? Fixing the seat to return it to its former glory will take more money, time, and effort than just repairing a hole. Because there are a few avenues to achieving the fix, our recommendations for tools and parts are mostly optional, depending on the method you choose.
Organizing your tools and gear so everything is easily reachable will save precious minutes waiting for your handy-dandy child or four-legged helper to bring you the sandpaper or blowtorch. (You won't need a blowtorch for this job. Please don’t have your kid hand you a blowtorch—Ed.)
You’ll also need a flat workspace, such as a garage floor, driveway, or street parking. Take a minute and find a well-ventilated spot to work as well. Check your local laws to make sure you’re not violating any codes when using the street. We aren’t getting your ride out of the clink.
We’re sticking to covering tears not located near a sewn seam. If your seats are torn at the seams, you might be able to repair them with a heavy-duty needle and thread. This process will involve at least a passing understanding of sewing and an eye for the seat shape.
Also, keep in mind that any luxury or comfort features that have been equipped in the seats may make this process harder. If you’ve got seat heaters or ventilated seats, massage features, or other functions, make sure you’re not damaging the underlying components while fixing the seat.
First, it’s important to remember that every kit is a little different, and note that many offer color matching, so you’ll need to find one that is fairly close to your car’s interior color scheme.
If you really don’t care what the fix looks like, you’ve got a few options. In some cases, the vinyl will be forgiving enough to allow you to clamp the tear shut and either glue or tape it. You will need to leave the area clamped long enough to allow the glue to dry, and may need more than one application. Patches are another quick and dirty way to fix a vinyl tear and should be able to be applied with the included adhesive material or applicator. Finally, if you’re resigned to your torn fate, pick up a graphic seat cover and get it over with.
This video demonstrates how a kit is used to fix a tear in a vinyl seat.
You’ve got questions, The Drive has answers!
A: You can count on spending between $250 and $1,000 per seat, depending on the material, the severity of the tear, and any special seat features. If you’ve got heated or ventilated seats, massaging features, or other things going on, the fix may be more complicated.
A: If you’re skilled with a sewing machine and materials such as leather and vinyl, you can probably pull it off, but the process is labor and time intensive. You’ll need to measure and cut patterns, size and cut the material, and then stitch it all together and fit the seat. It’s not an easy job.
A: Leather is generally considered to be more upscale and luxurious than vinyl, but vinyl has plenty of redeeming qualities. In many cases, vinyl is more durable than leather and more resistant to sun damage. It can also be more resistant to scratches and tears, but that’s not the case with every type of vinyl seat. In the end, it depends on the preference of the user.
A: You absolutely can, and in many cases, you’ll be able to find a salvage yard seat that will do the trick. If you own a newer car, however, it might be better to take it to the dealer or a certified shop. Safety equipment and other vehicle components, such as sensors and climate functions, can’t just be slapped back together or they won’t function properly.
A: Yes, but expect to pay up. You can spend $5,000 or more for an upholstery job, so it’s important to be sure you want to do it and that the car is worth the effort.
We’re here to be expert guides in everything How To related. Use us, compliment us, yell at us. Comment below, and let’s talk! You can also shout at us on Twitter or Instagram, here are our profiles. Got a question? Got a pro tip? Send us a note: guidesandgear@thedrive.com.
Sign Up For Our Newsletter
Technology, performance and design delivered to your inbox.
© 2022 Recurrent Ventures. All Rights Reserved.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.