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How do I fix a ripped leather car seat?

I accidentally tore a hole in my car’s leather passenger seat and was wondering how to fix it. I’ve damaged seats in the past, but that was in a different car with fabric seats, and I don’t think the process for repairing them is the same. So how do I fix a ripped leather car seat?

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Andrew Biro · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
The first thing you’ll need to fix ripped leather seats is a leather repair kit. These can be purchased online or at your local auto shop and usually contain a cloth sub-patch, clear glue and filler, along with several shades of colorant.
Once you’re ready to start repairs, make sure the seat is clean and free of debris. You should then take a pair of scissors and trim any loose threads or curling edges around the tear.
After the rip is cleaned up, you’re ready to cut and affix the sub-patch to the underside of the tear, allowing a ½ inch overlap on all sides. Glue the patch along the rip’s edges and allow 20 minutes for it to dry.
Once the glue is dry, take a palette knife and spread a layer of filler onto the sub-patch between the tear edges. Allow the filler to dry and repeat the process, building up the filler until it reaches just above the seat.
When the final layer is dry, take a fine-grit sandpaper—600 grit should be fine—and sand down the filler until it is level with the seat. Try to sand as little of the actual seat as possible.
Finally, mix the colorant until it matches the shade of your leather seat and use a clean cloth to apply it to the filler. This may take several coats, so be sure to allow each layer to dry in between.
As you take care of your car’s
routine maintenance
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