by Thom W. Conroy

Created on: July 26, 2010

Rips on the leather interior of a car can make a new car look like an old junker overnight, and left unattended these small tears can soon become massive in size and severity. While the normal response to a rip on a leather interior would be to immediately take the vehicle to a repair shop, the costs associated with leather repair can be outrageous and to be quite frank everyone simply cannot afford the repairs. In these instances the options are limited - you can either repair the rips in the leather interior yourself or learn to live with them. It is easy to understand that many drivers are frightened by the prospect of initiating their own leather repairs, but in actuality many can be performed very quickly and without excessive expense or hassle.

To repair rips in a leather interior that are minor (under 3 to 4 inches) the availability of leather repair kits sold at auto parts stores have become quite popular and useful. These leather repair kits are usually priced at under $30 and contain everything that is needed to make a competent and attractive repair by yourself. Whether the rips in the leather interior are located on the seats, dashboard, or doors these kits can usually make a nice repair in under an hour. The basic premise is to mix the color and activator that comes in the kit and apply it to where the leather is torn. Next, a textured grain paper is placed over the repair area and a heat tool that is included in the repair kit is pressed onto the paper. When the paper is removed, the repair is complete with a close match in color and texture of the original leather.

To repair large rips in interior leather seats there are three possible ways to go. One is to attempt to sew the tear together using a needle and heavy thread, but this can be tough due to the thickness of the leather. Another option is to carefully cut out the leather seat panel, and then purchase a replacement piece and sew it into position. Lastly, the entire leather seat cover can be removed and then sewn on a sewing machine. While this can make for the most neat looking repair to a leather seat it often requires removing the entire seat from the vehicle in order to remove the leather cover from the seat itself.

In any instance to repair rips in a leather interior it becomes important to weigh your options carefully before acting. When it comes to leather repair, often the path of least resistance provides the most appropriate avenue of enacting a sound repair.

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