Seat tear
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: New Braunfels Texas
Seat tear
I have a small tear in my driver seat, it is on the side closet to the door, in the corner on the lower bolster. Each time I get in and out I know it is getting worse. The car has new seat covers and so other than that they are in great shape. The rip is not all the way through the cover just like the leather peeled away from the backing or something. Any way to repair or stop the tear from growing. It is really small I would say no longer than 1 inch. I am thinking if there is some type of adhesive that I could put below the tear it would stop it from growing. Any one have similar problem? Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
Likes: 8
From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
It might be patchable, but I don't know how hard it would be to get at the tear. You might try some epoxy right at the end of the tear to stop it.
I don't know about if 82 is the same, but you might try swapping the seat bottoms (or the entire seats). That way, all the wear will be on the driver's side and the tear will be on the passenger inside.
I don't know about if 82 is the same, but you might try swapping the seat bottoms (or the entire seats). That way, all the wear will be on the driver's side and the tear will be on the passenger inside.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: New Braunfels Texas
Those are both great ideas. 
I am going to take it in to a upholstery shop here in town. He is the best, and only does restorations. I think worse came to worse I can just get the bottom half of the seat cover. Any recommendations on a vendor?
I am going to take it in to a upholstery shop here in town. He is the best, and only does restorations. I think worse came to worse I can just get the bottom half of the seat cover. Any recommendations on a vendor?
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Just started with the same problem
About a month ago I noticed that I was wearing a spot in the same location, it's not padded very well right on top of the bolster. i am supposing yours is the same place, because I make contact getting in (I am fairly tall so I tend to "fall in" ), so I am anxiously awaiting a good idea as well.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 492
Likes: 3
From: Temecula CA
I worked in an upholstery shop for quite a few years in my youth, and I am sure that any competent shop can repair just the panel that is worn. They will "dissect" the cover, and remove the offending panel. Then, using the old piece as a pattern, they will make up a new piece to sew in the original cover.....Good as new! You may be able to save on labor by removing the seat cover from the frame and bringing that to the shop..
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: New Braunfels Texas
Went to the Upholstery shop yesterday. He said with the location of the tear there was nothing that could be done. It would be costly to replace the entire section. One solution he had was to stitch the tear up and make a matching stitch on the other side of the driver seat to match. That way it would look somewhat stock. Wanted $75 to do that but I think I have seen new seat leathers from Corvette America for $90. I think that is the route that I will take. Do you guys recommend any vendors. Who should I steer clear of?
Thanks
Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,460
Likes: 352
From: Madison Alabama
I'd swap the seat cushions first. Easy to do, especially when it's hot out. The cushions just pop in and out - there is a little spring clip on each side. Let me know if you need help and I'll take a couple of pictures for you.
This is one of the first things I did when I picked up my '82. After 22 years of the driver's side getting all of the wear I am hoping to even the wear out some. Both the bottom and backs can be swapped.
Also, when you decide to have the one repaired you'll have something to sit on when you drive the car.
This is one of the first things I did when I picked up my '82. After 22 years of the driver's side getting all of the wear I am hoping to even the wear out some. Both the bottom and backs can be swapped.
Also, when you decide to have the one repaired you'll have something to sit on when you drive the car.
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The fcusions just pop in and out? Not on my C3! It's not a MAJOR problem to change seat covers...but it's no small task, either.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,460
Likes: 352
From: Madison Alabama
The seat cushions for a 78 PC and all 79 - 82 pop in and out. Here is a quick picture I just took. This is the lower attachment point for the passenger side seat back on my '82. "A" is the clip on the seat back, "B" is the bar that slides into the clip, molded into the foam. There are four clips on the seat back - that's all that is holding the cushions to the seat back.
Last edited by 2TONE82; Aug 21, 2007 at 10:46 PM.
