MB Tex Seat Tear Repair?

[mrfatboy]

I have a 2-3" tear in my drivers side seat for my 280sl.  Is there a DIY kit that can repair this?  Any recommendations?  Or does this require a pro to do it?

thanks

[mdsalemi]

There are kits to do it, and having what looks like a black seat you are in luck in that it is an easy color to match.  Look online, I'm sure you will find some kits.

I've seen the results of the pros, and it is quite good, and not that costly--check local listings, call a local upholstery shop or independent repair facility.

[mrfatboy]

Yes, it's a black seat  One thing in my favor.  I called one repair place and the starting price was $125.  Seems like a gouge to me.  Napa auto has a repair kit for $13.  I watched a youtube video on how to do it.   I hope it comes out alright.

[mrfatboy]

Here are my results.  I have to say I impressed that way it turned out.   This is the first time I have done anything like this. The kit only cost $13.  I did have to do multiple color coats to keep filling in the rip.   The kit supplied a big flat tack on a dowel that you were supposed to heat up with an iron to cure the filler material.  This took the longest time because you have about 3 minutes of heat time but you had to keep heating the tool up on the household iron.  I then remembered (pretty much after I was done) that I had a ski waxing iron that was much smaller and could cover the entire rip all at once.  I wish I remembered that earlier

Here is the finished shot.  It looks even better to the naked eye.



Here is the product I used.

[mdsalemi]

Looks fabulous, certainly for a first time go!  Pat yourself on the back, and keep the kit handy.  One rip begets another.
If you are like others, now you will be looking for things to repair!!
Now you can offer the service to your neighbors.  Just be sure to charge less than $125...

[mrfatboy]

thanks.  Here is one more shot close to the same angle as the original rip shot for comparison.  The kit came with 3 texture patches.  All three were not at all close to the MB Tex pattern.  I have an old MBTex swatch.  I might put one more application of the color fill and lay the swatch down and then apply the iron to get the deeper texture.  Not sure I will bother though