How To Use a Leather Repair Kit
Updated: May 15, 2024
Check out this leather repair guide for simple, DIY fix for tears and holes.
Time 1 to 3 hours
ComplexityBeginner
Cost$10 - $40
Introduction
Learn how to use inexpensive, DIY-friendly repair kits to fix small tears in leather or vinyl car seats and chairs before they get big and ugly.
Materials Required
- Leather/vinyl repair kit
How to Use a Leather Repair Kit
If you walk around with tools in your pockets, don’t be surprised if you tear a hole in your leather car seat, sofa or easy chair. If a perfect repair is important, call a pro to fix it. But if you just want to prevent further tearing, you can fix it yourself with a leather/vinyl repair kit.
The kit is inexpensive, and a leather chair repair takes only an hour. Don’t expect perfection when you try to fix a car seat yourself, though. You’ll still see the tear after the leather seat repair, and you probably won’t get a perfect color match. However, this fix will contain the tear and look much better than a gaping hole.
Project step-by-step (3)
Glue in the reinforcement fabric
Buy a repair kit at any hardware store, home center or auto parts store. Follow the cleaning instructions in the kit and trim the damaged area to remove any frayed edges. Then, cut the backing fabric so it extends under the tear by at least 1/2 in. Glue it in place and let it dry for the recommended time.
Cure the patch with heat
Next, mix the heat-set colored filler. This is the hardest and most frustrating part of the repair. But take your time and get as close to the color as you can. Apply just enough colorant to fill in the tear. Then, cover it with the textured mat and apply heat.
Check out the results
Let it cool and remove the mat. The patch won’t be a perfect repair. But it sure beats the look of a tear or burn in your leather furniture.
