Car upholstery repair can extend the attractive looks of your car for many years. Whether you have a late model SUV or a pristine, restored 1947 Lincoln Zephyr Convertible, the upholstery is what makes the inside what it is. All you need to do to maintain its good looks is to keep it clean. But, if it becomes damaged by a puncture or tear, you have a serious problem. If not fixed, it will become worse.
You may have cloth, vinyl, or leather upholstery. The techniques used to repair each of these are unique. Should you be considering doing the repair yourself, there are a variety of repair kits available at automotive supply stores and on line. These car upholstery repair kits vary in quality. Some of them are not very good, while a few will do a reasonable job when used by a skilled individual. Keep in mind that the skills involved require a lot of practice for most people. It is an art, not just a mechanical repair.
If you have never used one of these kits before and you elect to try to do your own repair, you should know that most do-it-yourself car upholstery repairs are not very successful. If you don't care too much about the looks, but you just want a functional repair for your work vehicle, then go for it. If you really are concerned about the appearance, you might only want to try it if the repair is going to be in a relatively inconspicuous place.
Car upholstery repair kits should only be used for very small rips or punctures. They are not designed for larger tears. Repairs made with these kits sometimes come out okay, but just as often, the end result looks like a repair. For larger damage, it's always best to have it done by a professional upholstery repair technician.
If the appearance of your vehicles interior is really important to you, then you should probably take it to a car upholstery repair professional right from the start. The damage done by unsuccessful do-it-yourself repair attempts often results in a much bigger repair job for the professional. This will cost more than if you had just brought your car to them in the first place, plus you will be out the cost of the repair kit and all the time you wasted trying to fix it yourself.
Before you commit to fixing your own car upholstery, stop by and visit an auto interior repair shop. They'll give you a free estimate for the repair that you need. You can see some examples of their repair work while you are there, and they may even be able to show you a sample of some "gone wrong" do-it-yourself work that they are going to fix. While a lot of satisfaction comes from doing a good job fixing your own stuff, car upholstery repair is one area that is best left to a professional.
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