Leather interior repair......
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Race Director
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Leather interior repair......
I have finally experienced the drivers side seat tear, which I've seen on a lot of C5s. The tear is at an approximately 3" long seam on the outer edge of the seat back, where the lower leather piece tears away from the upper one. Can anyone recommend a good upholstery shop within about 40 miles of Tampa, Florida? Thanks guys.......
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Race Director
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Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
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Likes: 4,668
Thread Starter
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I have a slight conundrum here, as well as a considerable difference in price to repair. Both places have very good reviews, so that's not the issue. The problem is one place wants $60 to fix by stretching the vinyl. He says he's fixed dozens of these, and the outer, upper bolster is vinyl on my 2000 C5. The other place wants $150 to repair with leather, more if the black leather he has in stock isn't a match, and he has to order matched leather. Does anyone know for sure the repair needs vinyl, or leather to be correct? The first guy ($60) says he's fixed a lot of them this way, and the second guy hasn't done a lot of them. I sent a pic of the rip to both places, and got the 2 different (considerably!) responses. Anyone?? Thanks guys!!!
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I have a slight conundrum here, as well as a considerable difference in price to repair. Both places have very good reviews, so that's not the issue. The problem is one place wants $60 to fix by stretching the vinyl. He says he's fixed dozens of these, and the outer, upper bolster is vinyl on my 2000 C5. The other place wants $150 to repair with leather, more if the black leather he has in stock isn't a match, and he has to order matched leather. Does anyone know for sure the repair needs vinyl, or leather to be correct? The first guy ($60) says he's fixed a lot of them this way, and the second guy hasn't done a lot of them. I sent a pic of the rip to both places, and got the 2 different (considerably!) responses. Anyone?? Thanks guys!!!
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I agree with MSG C5, do it once and do it right. Turn loose of some of that old molded money Grinder!
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From: Chandler AZ
My C5 has a tear or hole on the side bolster if that’s what sticks out the furthest on driver’s side, left side of seat.
Noticed it in early 2018 and felt kinda bad, but realized it was at the time nearly 20 years old, so can’t complain too much.
One day will get new seat covers on it by upholstery shop like recommended if it’s better looking/lasting in the end.
Have a custom made seat cover and material under seat cover made by a lady In Tucson, AZ for the bench seat on my 1965 C10 truck, it’s a 2 tone baby blue and white, wife got for my birthday and it was not cheap, was planning to do it myself but might be best for upholstery shop.
I just thought about it, this custom place might make C5 seat covers if I ask.
Noticed it in early 2018 and felt kinda bad, but realized it was at the time nearly 20 years old, so can’t complain too much.
One day will get new seat covers on it by upholstery shop like recommended if it’s better looking/lasting in the end.
Have a custom made seat cover and material under seat cover made by a lady In Tucson, AZ for the bench seat on my 1965 C10 truck, it’s a 2 tone baby blue and white, wife got for my birthday and it was not cheap, was planning to do it myself but might be best for upholstery shop.
I just thought about it, this custom place might make C5 seat covers if I ask.
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I agree that repair will only be a very temporary fix. If you want to go that route, I'd go with the cheaper option (although neither is very expensive). Either replaceing the seats or seat covers will be a more permanent solution that will look better too,
2nd Gear
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Gorgeous Vette Essentials seats! (AND steering wheel!)
Quick question - I am looking into new skins for my C5 Z06 and was told I should go with a sport seat since I am getting new foam anyway. I've have not sat in a sport seat - is it preferred over the standard seat?
Thank you for any input!
Lisa
Quick question - I am looking into new skins for my C5 Z06 and was told I should go with a sport seat since I am getting new foam anyway. I've have not sat in a sport seat - is it preferred over the standard seat?
Thank you for any input!
Lisa
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I looked a bit closer at the tear yesterday, and it does appear that both torn pieces are made of vinyl. Here I thought the entire seat, except the rear of the back, was leather!! Now I know why they tear!!!
Last edited by grinder11; Mar 16, 2022 at 09:39 AM.
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I believe only the actual seating surfaces are leather - the rest is vinyl. If you plan to keep the car for a while, I would do as previously recommended and get real leather seat covers made. They will look better and last longer than the vinyl covered seats.
Pro
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Color me cheap, but my vote is for the $60 option. New leather and foams will be >$1500. If they still work right and feel good to you, then $60 will get you down the road for another few years. If the foam has lost its comfort, however, this might be the time.
Melting Slicks
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I have the same question do they make a black leather material paste that will blend into the leather seat bolster on the drivers side? Mines turning gray and will eventually be through the leather into foam. I thought they made this type of paste for leather material that would blend and add structure to the leather over the drivers seat bolsters. Not to hijack is just a similar question on the same topic.
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I have the same question do they make a black leather material paste that will blend into the leather seat bolster on the drivers side? Mines turning gray and will eventually be through the leather into foam. I thought they made this type of paste for leather material that would blend and add structure to the leather over the drivers seat bolsters. Not to hijack is just a similar question on the same topic.
Anyway, thank you all for your input. This is what makes this the world's best forum, IMHO
Last edited by grinder11; Mar 18, 2022 at 10:06 AM.
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Thread Starter
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UPDATE!!!! I posted in 'What have you done to your C5 today?'. I went for the $60 repair@Better Leather in Tampa, Florida. Did a very good job. Lewis, you are correct; the seat is shot. They told me, and showed me. So when this fails (they gave me 1-2 years, max, that moldy money will be aired out!!!!
