Vinyl seats look good but can be difficult to maintain. If there is a rip, you may decide the replace the cover completely. However, you can avoid changing the complete cover and repair only the patch of the vinyl seat that is torn.
Materials required
Vinyl patch piece
Vinyl color (in case the patch piece does not match the color of the original vinyl)
Vinyl adhesive
Instructions
Take a good look at the hole in the seat. Assume its proportions. Take a pair of scissors and cut around the hole to make the hole even. Doing this makes it easier for you to settle the patch in the hole.
Find a piece of vinyl or take a large piece of vinyl and cut it into a piece that will exactly cover over the hole. Make sure the piece is big enough to cover the hole completely so that there is no gap.
Take the vinyl patch and tuck it gently into the hole. Make sure that the patch is completely in the hole. Be careful not to rip the seat in the process and make the hole even bigger. Smoothen up the patch so that it is spread out evenly.
Go to the damaged vinyl section and lift it up a little bit so that you hold it above the surface. Apply the vinyl adhesive to the original vinyl seat and to the patch piece so that you can secure them together.
Stick the two pieces together and let them stay in that position for the next 24 hours. Do not disturb them. The longer it stays the more firmly will the vinyl pieces be secured. Also, keep this junction away from sunlight or any direct source of heat, as it will only lead to the breaking of bonds in the adhesive.
Tips and warnings
Do not put the patch on top of the hole. It will cause the adhesive to stick to the foam under the seat and rip out very quickly. This will cause even more damage to the seat.
If you enjoyed reading this article might as well read How to make car seat covers.