repairing cracks in the MB Tex?

[Cees Klumper]

The MB Tex seats in my car are still in good shape, however recently a long (5 inch) crack/split has started to appear in the passenger seat (why it's there and not on the driver's seat is beyond me; the driver's seat gets used 10 times as often - or would it be a problem of too little use?). The split is in one of the 'ridged' parts of the bottom cushion, (one of the bands that have the perforations).

Does anyone have any experience with products out there (GAHH, Leatherique etc) that will 'arrest'& patch up cracks in the MB Tex? In the long run I will probably convert the whole interior to leather (or stay with new MB Tex, haven't decided really) but for now the interior is still quite nice, it's just this one crack that's staring at me all the time!

Cees Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic

[hauser]

Cees here in the States we have people that do this type of synthetic repairs. The use plastic material, comes in a tube (like toothpaste) they blend and mix colors. They then apply this to the damaged area and heat it with a hot iron. They can even match the grain. I don't know how well it would hold up on a seat cushon due to stretching.

1969 280sl 5 spd        1999 ML320          Gainesville,Fl.

[Douglas]

Cees, for now, I'd take another piece of Tex and glue it to the backside (cloth to cloth, or backside to backside) of the tear using contact cement. That's what an interior shop advised for another car of mine and I have found that to be a very good way to arrest the problem.

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220

[gwuisman]

Cees,

Last month I bought the number 33 2004 Sonderheft (special edition) of Oldtimer Markt (a German oldtomer magazine). It deals with do it youself restauration of oldtimer interiors. Your problem is one of the subjects. Illustrated with many pictures the proces of repairing a mercedes seat is discribed. The copy is still available in the bookshop.

Gerard Wuisman
1970 280sl

[rwmastel]

I would imagine that getting to this spot from the back side of the seat material would be very difficult.  I have not had mine all apart yet, but I'm told that there is a thick felt-like material providing the padding in each of these padded "ridged" sections.  These are kept in place by one or two panels of cloth that are stitched into the leather at the factory.  You would have to un-do all this work and I imagine re-assembly would be difficult for a novice.

Can anyone comment on the construction of this part of the seat covers and the possibility of repairing or reinforcing a tear from below?

Thanks,

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[Cees Klumper]

Thanks guys. I went and checked four bookstores yesterday for the "Sonderheft" but so far no luck. Maybe it's out of circulation by now.
Anyway I figured I would do as Doug suggests: glue a piece of vinyl back-to-back in the tear. The way I was going to get that in place is through the tear itself, rather than by taking the cover off. The only difficulty with this will be how to get the glue on, since I plan on using contact cement and this has to dry for some time first, before putting the surfaces together - this will be difficult considering it is a tight spot.

Cees Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic

[Richard Madison]

Maybe the materials sold by Leatherique to repair cracked and torn leather will work on Vinyl. You apply it to the crack, let it dry, sand it smooth, then dye it.

I think Douglas used a Leatherique product on the red leather in his 114 Sedan, not sure how it came out.

Leatherique is listed in our "Databases". You can call Leatherique.  George loves to give advice about using his products.

Richard M

[Douglas]

Cees, you are doing the right thing by not removing the cover. No need to do that.

Use some kind of sharp object like a toothpick to apply the contact cement. Also, you can apply it and stick the fabric together immediately. You don't have to wait for the glue to set.

If you decide to go the crack filler route, you'll need to do this anyway, so gluing something behind the rip is the first step regardless.

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220