How to Fix a Torn Center Console

by Kimberly Turtenwald

Ryan McVay/Photodisc/Getty Images

As your car ages, the materials from which your interior is constructed can break down and become damaged through wear and tear. The console between the driver's seat and front passenger seat takes a beating through the years. In some cases, the material from which it is made may become torn. If you have a tear in your console, it is important to repair it as soon as possible to prevent it from getting worse and becoming a bigger problem.

Leather

Step 1

Clean the area in which the tear is located with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol to remove any dirt or oils.

Step 2

Scuff the area lightly with a piece of fine-grain sandpaper to allow the repair to hold better.

Step 3

Cut a piece of patch to help cover the tear from the bottom. Glue the patch to the underside of the leather on the inside of the console.

Step 4

Cut and place a piece of leather into the tear to help cover the torn area. This leather is found in a repair kit, or may be purchased from some auto parts stores or car dealers. Glue it into place.

Step 5

Mix up the repair color that best matches the interior of your vehicle. Leather repair kits and some auto parts stores carry these colors and can help you create the best match.

Step 6

Apply the repair color smoothly over the tear to completely cover it and fill in the area. Allow it to dry completely before coming into contact with the console.

Vinyl

Step 1

Clean the area around the tear thoroughly with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. If the area is dirty, the repair will not stick well and the tear may reopen.

Step 2

Cut the patch material to fit the tear, expanding beyond the edges of the tear. Insert the patch material underneath the vinyl and secure it in place with adhesive.

Step 3

Mix the appropriate repair colors to match the interior of your car. These repair colors may be purchased from an auto parts store or in a vinyl repair kit.

Step 4

Apply the repair color to the patch that shows through and onto the area surrounding the tear with a paint brush. Place the grain patch that best matches the grain of your vinyl over the repair color. The grain patch typically comes in a repair kit, but may be purchased at some auto parts stores.

Step 5

Place a heavy object over the grain patch to help hold it in place. Allow to dry for at least three or four hours. Check to see if the repair paint is dry. If so, remove the grain patch. If not, replace it and wait a couple more hours. You can also paint over the area again with watered-down repair color to better blend it into the surrounding vinyl.

Cloth

Step 1

Thread the sewing needle with thread that closely matches the color of the fabric on your console.

Step 2

Tie a knot at the end of the thread to keep it from following the needle all the way through the fabric.

Step 3

Begin sewing the tear from the inside of the fabric so the knot is hidden inside the console.

Step 4

Sew the tear in the fabric shut using stitches that are close together and hidden from view if possible. Pull the thread tightly so the tear is completely closed. When you reach the end of the tear, run the needle through the final loop of thread and cut the end close to the fabric so it is not noticeable.

References

Things You'll Need

Writer Bio