I have a '73 Comet GT with some rips in the seats. Is there a way to fix that without having to buy new seats? I might end up just putting seat covers on if i have to, but i'd rather have the original leather showing.
It really just depends on where the rips are at. I took a needle and thread and sewed up a rip on my seat very easy, and it looks a lot better than it did. But there is another tear between the seams that I cant get sewed back together.
If the rip is along a seam line, it might not be fixable. The reason I say that is because in most cases the rip is a result of the threads dry rotting. You can try to sew it back together, but the odds are that the threads will let go somewhere else or the edges of the vinyl will not come completely back together. If the tear or rip is in an area where you will be sitting or a place where it will have alot of pressure on it, the threads could pull apart or tear the vinyl. Keep in mind that the vinyl and the threads are over 30 years old. Sometimes you're better off just getting the seats re-upholstered.
well aren't you full of negativity.....LOL If the seats are just ripped and not all tore up, he should be able to sew them back together with some good upholstery thread and a couple pieces of cloth backing... You put a piece of fabric under the rip wide enough to give about 1/2 inch on each side and pull the rip closed with a stitch or two and then sew the original material to the backer cloth and she should hold for quite awhile.
I agree with Jean. Tears will continue to pop up on old seats due to dry rotted threads and just plain old wear and tear on the fabric. For pure vinyl seats and other vinyl products like center consoles - I have had great success with a product you can buy at just about any decent hardware store. It is called VLP http://www.plastidip.com/industrial/td/VLP.pdf But nothing beats reupholstery
hey i also have torn seats thinking of reupolstry what kind of fabric was standerd in most mavericks. i dont think i want to go with leather due to the high cost. but i dont know about vynl either is thier any thing else i can go with?