[335BYE]

First Post.

2011 335i. Saddle brown leather interior rip fix.

This is my way, along with some simple direction reading and common sense. This rip is pretty common among any car as people like to throw their weight into the driver seat as if it's their last time sitting down. Drives me nuts, but the side bolsters usually take a beating. When I got the car it was pretty f***ing clean so I didn't complain (too much). Pics will follow first post.

Things you'll need:

Leather interior dye kit (eBay)
Leather filler kit (eBay)
Fabric Glue (any crafts store)
Doubler fabric ("" if rip is all the way through)
Sand paper (if not included in the kit you buy)
Time
Common sense

I don't usually recommend eBay parts, but in this instance they worked out pretty well. (If you buy anything performance related from the bay then shame on you.)

[335BYE]

Forgive me as I don't like to waste time and dove right into the repair. I got a thick black fabric from my local Michaels and fabric glue. Glue the patch one side at time and let cure 4 hours each side. I used a cleco clamp to hold the first side down. After doubler is cured, take some fabric glue and go for a flush fill where the rip used to be. Something like this...

[335BYE]

After glue in rip dries, do some sanding to bring it down. I used 220. Try and get it flush and if you go outside the rip not too big of the fill assuming you have the EXACT match dye. Here's after a little sanding.

[335BYE]

Now you are going to take some of the leather filler and apply LIGHT coats. Use an extended straight edge to make sure you are getting even fill. I did this 4-5 times. Sanding in between. (220 and 320)

[335BYE]

Eventually you will fill in all cracks and I finished with 600 grit. Make sure you are wiping off leather after each time sanding with some organic cleaner like acetone. (Kidding) I used a light mix of soap and water. Ensure leather is dry before proceeding. Then to the sketchy errr, I mean "fun" part. You can see the brush I'll used to apply dye.

[335BYE]

When applying the dye, dampen the brush first. After that do light dabs and try and feather out to mix in with untouched-up area of seat. Absolutely make sure you have the right color before doing this, or you're gonna end up at the bar later that night drinking away your shit repair. I did two light coats and voila. Let it dry and use some pledge furnish polish to clean the area/buff the area. Do not use leather cleaner or polish.

[MILLER335I]

Well done! There is a you tube video on how to blend color while repairing leather that might help someone in the future.

[Wolf 335]

Can we see a close up of the repaired area?