Repairing torn seam in back seat and seat reconditioning

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DentalDart

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I'm running out of projects on my car.... said no one ever! Now that my engine, suspension, brakes and transmission are rebuilt I figured I should start doing some of the smaller things.

My car isn't a show car and the backseats house car seats for 2 of my 3 kids. The car was sitting in the Arizona desert for 8 years before I bought it which really dried out the seats. A couple months ago the seam in my back seat tore... oops. At this time I'm not looking to replace my seat covers, that requires money I'm not allowed to spend. I'd also need new seat foams and other interior pieces that I don't really need... Besides that tear and a little dry they are in very good shape. The car is kept in the garage now and I have been putting a nice thick/soft blanket over the back seat since it tore.

Has anyone sewed a ripped seam in their seat back together with any luck? Ive read a couple articlesz watched a couple videos, and it seems like it would be the best method for holding the seat over until I completely redo the interior.. Or are there any other secret methods for repairing a ripped seam?

Reconditioning the seats, what do you use? I have these 2 leather seat cleaners. I used to have really like Meguiars but never used it to recondition leather seats, only to clean them...

Also I attached pictures of the back of my seats which I cannot get them to stay on for the life of me. There are little tabs that seam like they'd slide on but they just don't stay...

Sorry for the novel.

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I'm running out of projects on my car.... said no one ever! Now that my engine, suspension, brakes and transmission are rebuilt I figured I should start doing some of the smaller things.

My car isn't a show car and the backseats house car seats for 2 of my 3 kids. The car was sitting in the Arizona desert for 8 years before I bought it which really dried out the seats. A couple months ago the seam in my back seat tore... oops. At this time I'm not looking to replace my seat covers, that requires money I'm not allowed to spend. I'd also need new seat foams and other interior pieces that I don't really need... Besides that tear and a little dry they are in very good shape. The car is kept in the garage now and I have been putting a nice thick/soft blanket over the back seat since it tore.

Has anyone sewed a ripped seam in their seat back together with any luck? Ive read a couple articlesz watched a couple videos, and it seems like it would be the best method for holding the seat over until I completely redo the interior.. Or are there any other secret methods for repairing a ripped seam?

Reconditioning the seats, what do you use? I have these 2 leather seat cleaners. I used to have really like Meguiars but never used it to recondition leather seats, only to clean them...

Also I attached pictures of the back of my seats which I cannot get them to stay on for the life of me. There are little tabs that seam like they'd slide on but they just don't stay...

Sorry for the novel.

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A good upholstery shop can make a new panel for you. I don't think you can restitch and do a proper repair. I had the same thing on the front seat of my Swinger. My upholstery guy said he could have made a panel to replace the torn stitching but I had already bought a Legendary cover so he installed it for me. The original cover lasted 50 years. The replacement will last as long as I live and probably the next few owners.

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A good upholstery shop can make a new panel for you. I don't think you can restitch and do a proper repair. I had the same thing on the front seat of my Swinger. My upholstery guy said he could have made a panel to replace the torn stitching but I had already bought a Legendary cover so he installed it for me. The original cover lasted 50 years. The replacement will last as long as I live and probably the next few owners.

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The legendary stuff is nice, i just can't buy seat covers or foam anytime soon unfortunately
 
The legendary stuff is nice, i just can't buy seat covers or foam anytime soon unfortunately
I know. I held off and yours is a rear seat. Do it once and do it right. It might take longer and cost a bit more but you won't regret it.
 
As old as it is, the more you work on it, the worse it usually gets. You fix one seam and break two more. You might consider some vinyl repair stuff as a temporary fix until you can get a new seat cover.
 
As old as it is, the more you work on it, the worse it usually gets. You fix one seam and break two more. You might consider some vinyl repair stuff as a temporary fix until you can get a new seat cover.

Thats what I was thinking, sew it, with a strip of vinyl glued under it before sewing. I just don't know if people have had luck with it before
 
My guess is that if you try sewing, it will just rip out the material is so old. Just an opinion though, worth every penny you paid for it.....
 
hit up your favorite auto parts store (if it's been a couple days they're probably getting ready to put your picture on a milk carton anyway), and get some seat covers. that will get you 5 or 6 years easy
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hit up your favorite auto parts store (if it's been a couple days they're probably getting ready to put your picture on a milk carton anyway), and get some seat covers. that will get you 5 or 6 years easy
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Those are hideous :lol:

I just want to preserve them for a year or so before I get to redoing the interior
 
My guess is that if you try sewing, it will just rip out the material is so old. Just an opinion though, worth every penny you paid for it.....

Well if you take what I spent on the car so far before asking for advice on how to fix the seats... i paid a lot for it :rofl:

I just want it to last a little while... until the next deal on covers lol.
 
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