Soo, I need some advice/help

"K-Roll-PorscheTamer" (k-roll390)
07/11/2015 at 15:50 • Filed to: Advice

How exactly does one repair this without having to reupholster the entire seat or bolster??

I’ve recently discovered that it’s much more comfortable to drive without the boring seat covers, as the seats hold me in so much better than with the covers; but that has lead to the above problem. 31 years of getting in and out of the seat has worn it down to this point, and it’s not gonna get better if I don’t do something.

Because “college budget”, I’m not looking for perfection, but something that isn’t a seat cover. But a vinyl patch or something like that, something that matches the color or texture closely that protects the current damage. Literally, an “invisible bandaid” or something along those lines?

Anyone have any ideas, or understanding what I’m saying?

DISCUSSION (42)

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/11/2015 at 15:54

You either have to re-upholster the bolster, or replace the seat face. Either way, not cheap.

GeorgeyBoy > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/11/2015 at 15:55

Spray that gunk stuff on it.

Just kidding please don’t do that.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/11/2015 at 15:56

the budget fix is tape.

a classy fix would be finding something to cover with...

Have you looking in to 3M vinyl? maybe they might have something that could be good, cheap, and not seat-ruining?

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > GeorgeyBoy
07/11/2015 at 15:57

I don’t even know what stuff you’re referring to.

Baeromez > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/11/2015 at 15:58

1. Put an XL t-shirt over the seat.

2. ????

3. Profit.

E92M3 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/11/2015 at 15:58

I can’t think of anyway to repair that without taking the whole seat cover off, and sewing in a new bolster. That’s beyond Fibrenew’s abilities to fix.

GeorgeyBoy > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/11/2015 at 15:58

The stuff they use for school bus seats.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/11/2015 at 16:02

I guess you could buy vinyl that matched pretty well, cut it to fit that spot within the piping edge and use a strong flexible adhesive to cover it. You might be able to get away with using 3M permanent level VHB tape as it is flexible and rubbery. I use it on shows and graphics. You could also mask it off and use a spray on flexible coating, there must be something like that.

DrScientist > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)
07/11/2015 at 16:07

i was thinking just this. go to a fabric store or craft store, they’ll have vinyl for relatively reasonable prices. use a piece of tracing or other thin paper to make a pattern that covers the entire section. then cut the vinyl to the pattern and find some upholstery glue to attach. be sure to use very sharp scissors on the vinyl or you’ll end up with a tattered edge which will be obvious when you glue it in.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)
07/11/2015 at 16:13

These are ideas I can work with. Someone else recommended gaffer tape as well. I haven't a clue what that is.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > GeorgeyBoy
07/11/2015 at 16:14

Oh god no.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/11/2015 at 16:15

Take it to an upholster and get a quote.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
07/11/2015 at 16:15

Just looking for a simple patch is all. I'll worry about reupholsterey when I'm not in college.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Baeromez
07/11/2015 at 16:16

(O_o)??

StoneCold > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/11/2015 at 16:17

I’m surprised no one has said sharpie yet.

Bandit > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/11/2015 at 16:27

Take the seat to a shop, they should be able to replace just that bad panel for like $60 or something.

Bandit > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/11/2015 at 16:27

Duct tape = gaffer tape at least that’s what my American mind tells me

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > StoneCold
07/11/2015 at 16:29

Now that I think about it, you're absolutely right. :p

Jayhawk Jake > Bandit
07/11/2015 at 16:34

Not exactly. They are similar, but gaffer tape is closer to fabric than duct tape, and I think it's less sticky, doesn't leave as much residue.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Jayhawk Jake
07/11/2015 at 16:39

That’s exactly kind of the patch I’m looking for! something temporary at least.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
07/11/2015 at 16:39

Worth a look.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > E92M3
07/11/2015 at 16:40

Fibrenew?

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Bandit
07/11/2015 at 16:45

I know a guy who owns an upholstrey shop. I’ll have to go in and inquire about it this week.

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/11/2015 at 16:47

Find a junkyard with your Porsche in it, and nab the seat out of it.

jariten1781 > Bandit
07/11/2015 at 16:48

Gaffer tape is pretty much thicker/stronger painter’s tape.

getFuckedHerb > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/11/2015 at 17:01

Probably not as expensive as you think if you remove and reinstall the cover and the best option IMHO.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/11/2015 at 17:02

There isn’t a single junkyard in southeastern Michigan with a 944. Only two 924s, and neither came with these seats. These seats alone go for well over $1k in good condition.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > getFuckedHerb
07/11/2015 at 17:02

If it can be done for under $100, I’ll do it.

Shoop > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/11/2015 at 17:04

Cheapest way is a sharpie

Shoop > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/11/2015 at 17:04

Sharpie the white parts.

Branden J -Reading the Manual > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/11/2015 at 17:21

When the side of my trucks seat ripped open (bad enough the foam was falling out), I used gorilla tape, it’s not the prettiest fix, but it will hold up to some pretty substantial abuse, there would just be no taking it off, which I imagine wouldn’t be an issue because you’d only ever take it off to reupholster and by then it wouldn’t matter

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Jayhawk Jake
07/11/2015 at 17:30

Well I actually do rigging on shows, what gaff is really for, it will get a weird stickiness when it gets hot and on for more than a few days. I did the America’s Cup and it was up for three months, when I went to tear it down it was all nasty.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/11/2015 at 17:32

Ecco makes a vinyl tape I use, there are also industrial 3” vinyl tape I see the electricians keep big cables together with. I wouldn’t use regular gaff.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/11/2015 at 17:34

Its for stage rigging, sort of a cloth duct tape, not a permanent solution, it will fray and get gooey on the edges too.

jkm7680 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/11/2015 at 17:35

Black duct tape.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > DrScientist
07/11/2015 at 17:38

Thats what I would do if the upholsterer was too much.

Jayhawk Jake > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)
07/11/2015 at 17:54

I actually thought about adding a line about that. I discovered that pretty recently. Goo gone took the residue right off

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Jayhawk Jake
07/11/2015 at 17:58

For sure it’s not as bad as duct but it’s really meant to be wrapped tightly around a truss and have a tab to peel it off later, also tear on a line easily. The edges of that stuff would peel up on a flexible base. I would use 3M permanent VHB and keep it right on the edge, that shit is serious. My Datsun emblems are held on with it.

Bylan - Hoarder of LS400's > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/11/2015 at 18:01

How about just swap the driver and passenger seats?

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Bylan - Hoarder of LS400's
07/11/2015 at 18:46

Shockingly enough, we can’t swap them because of the design. I’ll have another look at the mounts, but I’d still want it fixed, and having people rub up against the already damaged bolster would drive me crazy.

E92M3 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/11/2015 at 19:53

Fibrenew repairs leather seats. Mostly cracked seats. Amazing results.

Phyrxes once again has a wagon! > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/11/2015 at 21:14

Gaffer’s tape is similar to duck tape (not duct tape though). The fabric is usually a matt color (usually black) and it tends to leave less adhesive residue behind when removed. Its also expensive, $20 a roll or so.