Anybody have experience repairing vinyl?

[irupp33]

Hey all does anybody have any experience reparing very minor tears in vinyl/leater seats.
I have a Dodge Srt-4 that has the "viper replica" seats. On the inside area near the arm rest it has developed a small what I would call crack. It isnt a tear yet. It looks as if the previos owner never used an protectant on the seats and it was just a very dry spot. Its not a high traffic spot but bugs me none the less. Ive gotten quotes from mobile interior repairs specialists but they want anywhere from $150-275. Keep in mind thats sight unseen and it seems a bit high for the spot.

So im all that does anybody have any experience doing minor repairs or maybe a link to somewhere to get me started? Thanks in advance all!

[Rocket]

What are they doing for that price? Did they discuss the process they would use? I ask because a lot of people think a price is high but don`t realize the work involved. My father does upholstery and when he quotes a job most say that it`s too much. They don`t realize the work and materials involved.

I`ve seen vinyl repair kits before but never put much though into how well try work.

[irupp33]

They didnt say. The downfall to this is I own whats called a commerative edition. There were 200 of my particular cars with this package built. They have blue stitching on the seats/shift boot/steering wheel. I can find cars all day long being parted out and pick up a set of perfect seats for $300ish but they wont have that blue stitching.
Its not a show car but it is one of those eye sores that you constantly check everytime you get in. Atleast I do lol

[C. Charles Hahn]

I would call the repair specialists back and ask what exactly they are proposing to do. There are some DIY kits available to deal with problems like this, but usually they won`t produce a dead-on perfect result that you`d never be able to tell was repaired.

So, unless you`re looking to invest in the equipment/supplies to do a professional grade repair yourself, I`d say your best bet is going to be letting a professional do the job and bite the bullet on the one-time cost.

[ca.detailchick]

I cant remember what kit I used but I tried one and the end result wasnt that great .I really took my time and tried my best but it was a very noticable repair.

It was several years ago though , maybe the kits have improved .

[Rocket]

They didnt say. The downfall to this is I own whats called a commerative edition. There were 200 of my particular cars with this package built. They have blue stitching on the seats/shift boot/steering wheel. I can find cars all day long being parted out and pick up a set of perfect seats for $300ish but they wont have that blue stitching.
Its not a show car but it is one of those eye sores that you constantly check everytime you get in. Atleast I do lol

I understand completely. I would suggest having the professional do the job if I were in your shoes. It may cost more than you expected but the end result of the repair will be worth it.

Call those places back and find out their process. If you feel comfortable with what they tell you then great. You could ask for references or maybe some pics of past work. We all know we like document our work.

[RTexasF]

Let the pro repair person SEE the problem spot then quote you. "Sight unseen" quotes are always high because they have no idea what they are getting into. Place arse in seat and drive it to them.

[chet31]

I used a vinyl repair kit when a cigar ash burned a hole in the armrest of a gray interior BMW 323i. Just for you, I went to my basement and dug it out (it hasn`t been touched in 7 years). It`s called "Permatex Vinyl and Leather Repair." They give you a variety of colors, and you mix them until you have a right color. Then you add a hardener and apply it. It goes on like a light paste. Can`t recall if you just let it dry or hit it with a heat gun. It did a pretty good job, if you weren`t looking for it, you wouldn`t notice it. I will say that this hole was in a "non-stress" area, in other words, it wasn`t on the seat or someplace that gets stretched.

[C. Charles Hahn]

I just used the kit Chet mentioned on a Mustang interior and it does require heat to cure the repair; that said, it does NOT provide perfect results in my experience.