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How do I fix a cracked vinyl car seat?

The vinyl seats in my car have begun to crack and flake apart in some places. I know I could get them reupholstered, but I don’t have the money for it right now—how can I fix a cracked vinyl car seat myself?

avatar
Andrew Biro · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Vinyl can be a bit difficult to repair. It may not look exactly as it did before, but you can fix cracked vinyl yourself for less money than getting the seat reupholstered.
Before you begin, you’ll need the following tools:
  • Razor
  • Heat gun
  • Grain paper
  • Vinyl repair kit
Use the razor to carefully remove any sharp edges that have started to curl or peel away from the surface. The smaller and hard-to-remove edges can be melted with the heat gun set to 550 degrees from a distance of 2-6 inches away, then pressed down with the grain paper.
Once the cracked surfaces have cooled to room temperature, wipe them down with rubbing alcohol. Use the filler from the vinyl repair kit and build up a thin layer over the cracks, remove the excess, and let it all dry.
Repeat this process until the filler is even with the original vinyl covering, then press down with the grain pad to texturize the filler as it starts to dry.
Your cracked vinyl should look much better now!
When taking care of your
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, set aside some time to make sure you’re not overpaying for your car insurance.
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