Patch or totally recover my Recaros?

Kinja'd!!! "Chairman Kaga" (mike-mckinnon)
04/15/2014 at 13:25 • Filed to: None

Kinja'd!!!0 Kinja'd!!! 2

I have a set of vintage Recaro mesh heads in my GTV6. Fairly common seats for 80s imports, although the pattern is unique to Alfa Romeo. The driver's seat is pretty shabby, with a disintegrating outer bolster and several split seams, along with other rips, tears and cracks. As you'd expect with 30+ year old vinyl.

Do any of you guys have thoughts about the best AND most economical approach to fixing it up? There is a source for brand new custom made leather front covers, but they're about $600 plus installation. Their reputation for quality is not stellar, however.

I have no doubt going full custom would be well over $1,000. This is not a show car. It's strictly "good enough."

My seats are a spectacular shade of blue, so I don't know if patching the bad panels in the driver's seat would be possible. The passenger's seat is OK, with only a couple of minor rips that could probably be repaired with off-the-shelf products. If that's possible...

Any thoughts?

Kinja'd!!!

DISCUSSION (2)


Kinja'd!!! Mr Oblivious > Chairman Kaga
04/15/2014 at 13:29

Kinja'd!!!0

If you take 'em to a reputable auto upholstery shop, they'll give you the straight scoop. Sometimes patching doesn't really buy you much time, and in the end when you totally re-cover, you'll end up wishing you'd just done that first. On the other hand, I've seen places match & patch seats that I though were well beyond repair.


Kinja'd!!! bob and john > Chairman Kaga
04/15/2014 at 15:05

Kinja'd!!!1

What Mr oblivious said.

Also, send an email to recaro themselves. maybe they can help you with something