How to repair torn upholstery?

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

Looking for some advice and suggestions on how to repair a nasty rip in the fabric of my centre console.

I'm annoyed with myself, because I think it was purely my carelessness that caused it. I think it happened when putting the roof back on; I left the roof to hold itself in place (as it should do), but it fell into the car and the leading edge must have struck the lip around the gear knob and torn the plastic.

Is there some kind of adhesive that would fill the tear, leaving a surface that could possibly be 'painted' using leather dye? Would that even stick to the plastic?

I guess it'll never look perfect, but if I could disguise it and prevent it from tearing further I'd be happy.

Here's a picture of the tear:


And here's where it's located:



Any suggestions gratefully received!

[swanny71]

I've used this kit (followed by the colourant kit) with decent results - will post some pics tonight.

http://www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/Leather_Repair_Ki...

[swisstoni]

Interested in this - have a slight seat tear on Chim.

[jamienshelly]

swanny71 said:

I've used this kit (followed by the colourant kit) with decent results - will post some pics tonight.

http://www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/Leather_Repair_Ki...

+1, Fantastic kits, and not to difficult to get good results at a reasonable price.
The staff are very helpful aswell
The colour of your upholstery is probably Jaguar Magnolia, (I said probably), and you can view the colour charts on their website.
Hope it all goes well.

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

Thanks folks, that's a useful pointer. I'll send them a message to find out whether it only works on leather, or whether it would also work on plastic. I suspect it probably would, but they might be unwilling to guarantee it.

That's exactly the concept I'm looking for, though: an adhesive that would also fill the crack.

I still have some leather colourant left over that's a very good match for the leather, and would be a good enough match for the plastic. That's assuming it will stick...

[jamienshelly]

Dr Mike Oxgreen said:

Thanks folks, that's a useful pointer. I'll send them a message to find out whether it only works on leather, or whether it would also work on plastic. I suspect it probably would, but they might be unwilling to guarantee it.

That's exactly the concept I'm looking for, though: an adhesive that would also fill the crack.

I still have some leather colourant left over that's a very good match for the leather, and would be a good enough match for the plastic. That's assuming it will stick...

Hi, they sell a repair kit with a patch, adhesive and filler in it, also there are video's of "how to" on their site that are well worth watching. You will probably need their adhesion promoter for the paint to adhere to the vinyl correctly and sealant, but it really works well.

[swanny71]

Dr Mike Oxgreen said:

Thanks folks, that's a useful pointer. I'll send them a message to find out whether it only works on leather, or whether it would also work on plastic. I suspect it probably would, but they might be unwilling to guarantee it.

That's exactly the concept I'm looking for, though: an adhesive that would also fill the crack.

I still have some leather colourant left over that's a very good match for the leather, and would be a good enough match for the plastic. That's assuming it will stick...

It does work on the vinyl, but as Jamie says using the adhesion promotor on the colourant (and possibly cross linker X) would give a more durable finish.

http://www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/Adhesion_Promoter...
http://www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/Cross_Linker_X.ph...

The repair kit comes with a glue to stick the tear together and a seperate filler.

ETA
If I was doing the repair I'd probably remove the centre console. This will allow you to loosen the vinyl around the underside of the gear stick/handbrake hole and then get the adhesive under the torn vinyl properly.

Edited by swanny71 on Tuesday 5th November 15:17

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

Yes, that sounds a good suggestion - the tightness of the vinyl is a problem.

I've never removed the centre console. How do you do it, and is it easy?

[swanny71]

Dr Mike Oxgreen said:

Yes, that sounds a good suggestion - the tightness of the vinyl is a problem.

I've never removed the centre console. How do you do it, and is it easy?

Dead easy.
1. Unscrew gear knob and remove your leven handbrake cover
2. Two screws at each lower leading edge of the centre console
3. One screw at the rear (underneath the cubby hole/coin tray)
4. Pull out you window switches and disconnect the wires
5. Gently lift off the console, starting at the rear. The bolsters stay in place.

At least that's how mine comes apart, others may be different, it is a TVR after all!

[swanny71]

Some pics of the repair I did using the FC kit. Seats are from an old MX-5, the intention was to re-furb and then fit to the Chim but ever got around to putting them in. They came out really well and it might be on the winter job list....maybe

Before



After

[Jonny cobra]

It worked for me I had a small. Hole and you can't see it now ....

Jc.

[tvrtuscans]

Alternately, take it to Andy at AJ Trimming in Bourne End Bucks.....he will sort it out...a master craftsman and v nice bloke to boot.

[stumpage]

I had exactly the same tear. Someone came to my work and fixed it in no more than 15 mins. If you look very close you will see a slight variation in texture.



Sorry for the upside down image. iPad!

Edited by stumpage on Tuesday 5th November 20:31

[ChimpOnGas]

Your tear is different stumpage.

There's three of them and they're upside down.

Ipad no doubt mate?

Useless devices, I've given up on mine

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

Great, so now I've just got to wait for a dry day. Might be a week or two before I get round to it, but I'll let you know how I get on!

Thanks everyone - there's some really useful info!