Interior Car Repair: Quick Fixes
Whether you are preparing your vehicle to be sold or just want to freshen up your daily commute, repairing any damage in the car’s interior is always a good idea. It’s inevitable that your car’s interior will need some kind of repair over its lifetime, from holes in carpets to tears in the upholstery. So, we have put together our top tips for interior car repairs.
Interior Car Repair: Repair or Replace Carpets
Over time your car’s carpet will inevitably suffer a good deal of wear and tear, especially on the driver’s side. If your car’s carpet becomes damaged, it’s a good idea to get it repaired as soon as possible. A ripped carpet on the driver’s side can be a hazard and potentially cause an accident if the carpet becomes caught on the pedals. Repairing the carpet is also beneficial in preserving the car’s value. If you intend to sell your vehicle, you are more likely to get a better price if the interior and exterior are in a good condition.
Firstly, decide whether the carpet can be repaired or if the carpet needs to be replaced. If the carpet has been worn down to the thread in the footwells, it will likely need to be replaced. However, if there is just a small rip or fray in the carpet, it could be repaired.
How to Repair Car Carpets
There are two methods that can be used to repair a small hole, tear or burn in the carpet. The first is repairing a tear in the carpet by sewing it.
- Carefully vacuum the area to ensure there is no debris which will make the tear worse or damage the repair.
- Thread a needle with a strong string that matches the colour of your car’s carpet and knot the end of the thread.
- Bring both sides of the carpet together, they will need to be tightly together for a seamless finish. You may need to ask someone to hold these together so you can move onto the next step.
- Thread the needle through the underside of one piece, then make a running stitch that does from one side to the other. This method should gather the material and close the tear.
- Once the tear is tightly repaired from one end to the other, make a knot under one of the stitches to secure it.
The second method that can be used to repair a carpet hole, burn or tear is the patching method.
- Purchased a car carpet repair kit with adhesive.
- Using a tape measure, measure the height and width of the patch that needs to be removed.
- Using a utility knife, carefully cut the section out. Apply enough pressure to cut through the carpet but be careful not to damage the underlayer.
- Now measure and cut the replacement patch out of the carpet from the repair kit.
- Following the guidelines on the manufacturer’s instructions, coat the underside of the carpet replacement with the adhesive.
- Put the carpet patch in place and leave it for at least 15 minutes to dry.
Car Carpet Maintenance
The best way to prevent wear and tear on your car’s carpets is to invest in good-quality car mats. These mats will prevent damage to your car’s carpet floor, reducing the need for a repair or replacement. You should also regularly vacuum the carpet to keep debris off it, to prevent any potential rips from sharp stones.
Vinyl Car Repairs
To protect your vinyl, it is a good idea to wrap paint protection film over the vinyl. Not only will this protect the vinyl against UV damage but it will also add a solid layer of protection from chips, preserving the vinyl for longer. If you have a tear in your vinyl wrap, you can use a vinyl patch to seal the damage. Firstly, you would need to remove the damaged vinyl area and the lifting around it. Secondly, ensure you cut a section of the vinyl accurately so that it will cover the damaged part, overlap the patch and seal the vinyl.
Tears in Leather Seats
Tears in leather seats are a nuisance, however, luckily it doesn’t always mean you need new upholstery. The tears can be easily fixed using a repair kit, you can use the patches to fix up any holes or use liquid leather to hide any unsightly cracks and give the seats a nice finish.
