How to Repair Scratched Leather Car Seats - DIY Repairs

Written by Posted On Wednesday, 17 October 2018 12:41

Leather car seats look great, everyone knows that. But that sinking pain you get, when you notice the first rip on your leather seat is equivalent only to the pain from a cracked screen on a brand new phone. It's horrifying. But unlike a cracked phone screen, you can fix a ripped leather seat at home. Here's a step by step guide you can follow to get your leather seat's scratches and scruffs fixed. Here's what you need to do.

How to Repair Scratched Leather Car Seats 

Step 1. Make Sure The Area Is Clean 

The first thing you'll want to do is sanitize the immediate surroundings where the scratch or scruff is. You can use any home disinfectant (like diluted vinegar) or alcohol. Thoroughly wipe down the area with a cloth and let it dry for at least 10 minutes. 

Step 2. Use Sand Paper To Smoothen Rough Patches 

Instead of trying to fix the scruff immediately, you want to sand minor patches. This is so that you can get a more professional final look. Just rushing to step 3 will give you a lumpy finish, which will make your leather seat look even less attractive. So what you want to do is use a 1200 grit sand paper to smoothen the rough area until it is smooth. 

Step 3. Apply A Filler To Torn Patches 

If the leather's completely torn away, you can use a heavy filler to replace it. Heavy fillers can be obtained in DIY stores or online. They come with a spatula which you can use to smoothen the filler in. Apply the filler in small patches (don't try and do multiples at once). Smoothen the filled patches and allow to dry (for at least 30 minutes) before moving on to another patch. Repeat this process to all the affected patches, and don't forget to let them dry before moving on to the next step. 

Step 4. Smoothen The Filled-in Area With A Sand Paper 

The idea here is to ensure the filled in portion of your leather seat blends in with other parts of the seat. You'll want to use the same type of 1200 grit sand paper that you used in step 2. Sand the filled area until the whole seat is even. 

Step 5. Apply A Colorant To The Sanded Area 

The colorant you get will have instructions for how to get your desired shade. Before you start applying the color to the seat, make sure you try it on a different surface to ensure it's the right shade you want. Once you've confirmed it is the right shade, apply it on the whole area. Once you're done applying the color, dry the area with a hair dryer. Repeat this for other patches you've filled and sanded.

Step 6. Finishing Touches

This step really depends on the type of auto detailing you like. You can either get a glossy, matte or satin finish - just follow the instructions that the finish comes with. Just like when you're applying the color, you'll want to test the finish on a different surface to ensure it's want you want. Dip a cloth into the finish and dap it on the repaired area. You can either let it dry naturally or use a hair dryer to speed things up a bit. 

Bottom line, a scratched or scruffy leather seat shouldn't be devastating once you learn how to repair scratched leather car seats. Just diligently follow the steps and your leather should be as good as new. And if you're afraid of excerbating the tiny rip on your seat, don't hesitate to ask for professional help.

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Dalia Rotrammel

Cleaning business for over 20 years. Property Management. Mother of 2, grandmother of 1 beautiful girl. Foster parent.

www.healthycarpetcleaningstl.com/

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