Leather Car Seats: Five Reasons to Get Yours Repaired vs. Replaced

Before you bite the bullet and open your checkbook to invest in new leather car seats, consider the many benefits of repairing your leather seats versus replacing them.

The rising cost of new cars is prompting many Americans to keep their current rides. The average age of cars rose to 12.1 years, according to research conducted by IHSMarkit, a market research firm. Customers are bearing the brunt of high material costs and manufacturing slowdowns at the production level. The number of median weeks of income needed to purchase a new vehicle increased to 33.8 weeks in April from 32.4 weeks in March. The average cost of a new car jumped to $37,000 during the first quarter of 2021, up 8 percent from the same time last year, J.D. Power revealed. Even the used car market is seeing prices increase as more buyers try to save money by purchasing a pre-owned vehicle, Business Insider reported.

Rising costs are keeping mechanics busy as many people opt to make repairs to their aging vehicles instead of trading up for a newer model. As your car ages, cracks, rips, tears, and burns in your interior upholstery are inevitable. Creative Colors International Inc. is the leader in mobile leather and vinyl repair. CCI technicians can come to your home or business to repair your car seats and return the interior of your car to its former glory.

“Our service technicians at CCI use the latest products and technology to repair your leather car seats,” said Mark J. Bollman, President of Creative Colors International. “We can enhance the appearance of your car at a fraction of the cost of seat replacement.”

If you are considering getting your car seats replaced, consider making repairs to help trim costs. Here are five reasons to get your car seats repaired versus replaced.

1. Resale Value. Keeping your car in tip-top shape will help increase its resale value. As the cost of vehicles rises, you will need to get top dollar for your trade-in when you do decide to upgrade your ride. Dealers pay special attention to the car’s appearance when they calculate your trade-in cost. Chipped paint, hubcap damage, and the car’s interior are some of the first things they look at when they inspect your car. In addition to picking a popular color and avoiding aftermarket modifications like audio system upgrades and non-OEM spoilers, proper maintenance is key.
2. Cost Savings. Replacing car seats is pricey and will put your car out of commission while the job is done. Refurbishing your seats can save you up to 90 percent of replacement costs, according to the experts at CCI. We can repair virtually any damage that’s been done to your vehicle, such as fading, seam slippage, color restoration, stain removal, scratches, cuts, holes, burns, and tears. As an added bonus, CCI offers sanitizing and disinfecting services to make sure your car is germ-free. We work hard to inspire our franchisees to convey the same amount of family-friendly customer service and reliable workmanship that we offer.
3. Enhances Appearance. Americans drive an average of 220 miles each week, according to the American Automobile Association. Whether you are commuting to the office, shuttling kids to after-school activities, or running errands, the time you spend inside your vehicle should spark joy. A clean, well-maintained interior will enhance the experience of driving your vehicle. Stepping into a car with a refurbished interior will make the drive to soccer practice more enjoyable.
4. Increases Comfort. Similarly, cracks and tears in your leather car seats can make your ride uncomfortable. When Consumer Reports grades a car on comfort, it looks at the smoothness of the ride, noise, seat comfort, driving position, and access. Their scale determines how easy it is to get in a vehicle and the space a driver has in their seat. They take into account how car seats provide back and thigh support on long drives. If your car seats are in disrepair, comfort diminishes. Getting them refurbished will enhance your next road trip.
5. Eco-Friendly Option. As more people start to focus on the impact we have on the environment around us, it’s important to consider the environmental impact of refurbishing versus replacing. Our landfills are at the brim, and any steps we can take to prevent adding to the waste is a plus. Each day the average American contributes 4.9 pounds of waste to landfills across the country, the Environmental Protection Agency reported. Taking small steps to help the environment will pay off for our country’s natural resources in the long run.

Hire Experts to Get the Job Done

If you have a small tear in one of the leather seats of your car, you can purchase a repair kit and spend a few hours taking care of the problem on your own. But, if your seats need more work, it’s time to call in the experts. CCI’s technicians can come to you to make repairs quickly and efficiently. All of our service technicians undergo extensive training to ensure they can get the job done right the first time and are skilled in every aspect of the repair and restoration business. CCI’s technicians are also trained to provide tips on maintaining your vehicle to keep it in pristine condition.

Maintain Leather Car Seats

Once CCI refurbishes your car seats, it’s important to maintain their appearance by putting in a little elbow grease on a regular basis. Leather is a great material for car interiors because it is easy to clean and comfortable. But the elements and your passengers can take a toll on your car’s interiors. Since you’ve already had to refurbish your seats, you know that ultraviolet rays and high temperatures can cause your leather seats to crack and fade over time. To prevent wear and tear, make sure to maintain your seats on a regular basis. Here are a few simple steps you can take to keep your car’s interior looking fresh.

1. Vacuum. If you have kids, pets, or visit the drive-thru, crumbs and debris are inevitable. Before you clean the seats, thoroughly vacuum the interior of your vehicle to get rid of any dust, debris, and pet hair.
2. Apply a leather cleaner. You can use a mixture of distilled white vinegar and water or a leather cleaner to remove grime from your seat. Spray the cleaner on your leather seats and use a soft bristle brush to clean any problem areas, especially the creases.
3. Dry. A microfiber cloth is one of the best tools to use to dry your leather seats and remove excess moisture after you apply cleaner.
4. Apply leather conditioner. Once your seats are dry, apply a leather conditioner per the instructions on the bottle. Leather conditioners help prevent fading and cracking by moisturizing your seats. Allow it to absorb into your seats for a few hours. CCI advises conditioning your car interior every three to six months to help maintain its appearance.
5. Dry. Once the conditioner has time to sink in, use a microfiber cloth to wipe down your seats.

If you are ready to improve the interior of your vehicle, contact CCI to get a free quote.