Collector Car Upholstery and Interior Trim
Interior work is where a restoration is most often given away. The wrong grain of leather, modern foam that sits too proud, or a carpet in the wrong weave is visible to anyone who knows the car, and it is the part of the car the owner looks at most.
A good trimmer will talk first about what can be saved. Original seats with honest wear, cleaned and conditioned, often suit a car better than a fresh retrim.
Specialists on Fully Sorted
Have this ready when you call
- Photos of the whole interior and the worn areas
- Whether the material is original, as far as you know
- What you want: a repair, a partial retrim or a full one
- Whether the seats can come out and be dropped off
What to ask before you book
- Can you source the correct material and pattern for this model, and from which supplier?
- Can the original covers be repaired and refitted rather than replaced?
- Do you rebuild seat frames, springs and padding, or only fit new covers?
- Do you also handle convertible tops, headliners and carpet sets?
Common questions
Should original upholstery be repaired or replaced?
Repair it where the material is still sound. Original interiors are valued, and leather can often be cleaned, fed and re-dyed. Replace when the material is breaking down or the padding has collapsed.
Are interior kits as good as a custom retrim?
Some kits are very good and some are approximate. Quality depends on the supplier and the model. A trimmer who has fitted the kit before will know whether it needs rework to sit properly.
How long does an interior retrim take?
It depends on scope. Seats alone are a much shorter job than a full interior with carpets, panels, headliner and a top, and material lead times are often the longest part. Ask about the lead time on materials before you book.
General guidance only. Every car, shop and state is different, and none of this is legal, insurance or mechanical advice. When it matters, ask the specialist you hire.
Can't find the right person?
Put it on the wanted board. Say what the car needs and where it is, and members who know someone can point you to them.
Other trades
Researching a particular car first? Model histories cover what to look for and what goes wrong, model by model.