Auto Upholstery in San Jose

Auto upholstery is the work that brings an interior back to “finished”: a seat that doesn’t look patched, a headliner that sits smooth and tight again, trim that matches, and details that don’t feel like an afterthought.

Some customers come in with a single problem they see every day—one torn seat panel, a seam that’s spreading, vinyl that’s cracking in the sun. Others bring a car that’s had a few “fixes” over the years and now the cabin looks like it was done in separate eras.

Either way, we keep it simple: we’ll tell you what can be repaired cleanly, what usually needs to be recovered to look right, and what you can do now (and later) so the interior stays consistent.

Auto upholstery services we handle in San Jose

If it’s inside the vehicle and you care how it looks and feels, we can usually help. Common projects include:

• Seat repair and reupholstery: torn seams, split panels, worn bolsters, recovering a seat so it looks like a set again
• Foam and bolster rebuilds: when the cover isn’t the real problem and comfort/support is gone
• Headliners and sunroof shades: sagging, bubbling, staining, or peeling shade fabric
• Interior trim and panels: pieces that are worn, loose, or no longer match after years of use
• Convertible tops: repair vs replacement options after inspection (fit, seams, and the condition of the material)
• Classic interiors: staged work or full refresh when consistency and period-appropriate details matter

If you’re not sure whether your issue is “upholstery” or something else, call or text a couple photos—we’ll point you in the right direction quickly.

What makes upholstery look “right” (not just new)

Most people don’t care about upholstery terminology. They care about the result: the repair shouldn’t draw your eye, the seat should feel supportive, and the finish should look intentional.

The details that make the difference are usually:

• Match beyond color: texture/grain and sheen matter as much as the shade
• Straight lines and clean edges: seam alignment and finishing near trim is where “cheap work” shows
• Tight fit without tension problems: panels should sit smooth without bunching or waviness
• Comfort and shape: if foam is tired, the best cover in the world still won’t make the seat feel right

If you’re comparing shops, ask yourself a simple question: will the finished work look like it belongs on the car, or will it look like the one new piece you can’t unsee?

Repair vs reupholstery vs interior refresh

This is the real decision behind most calls, and it’s where expectations matter most.

Repair (targeted)

Repair is often the right move when damage is limited to one area and the surrounding material is still strong. The best repairs are the ones you stop noticing—because the panel sits correctly and the match is handled carefully.

Reupholstery / recovering a seat or section

When material is cracked, brittle, or failing across multiple panels, small repairs can become a series of mismatches. Recovering a seat (or the affected section) is often the clean reset—one consistent material choice, clean seam alignment, and a finish that reads like it was done as one job.

Interior refresh (staged or full)

Some interiors don’t have one problem. They have an accumulation: a tired headliner, worn seats, trim that no longer matches, and repairs done at different times. In that case, we can help you prioritize what to do first so you don’t end up with “one more new panel” every few months.

If you tell us what matters most—close matching, durability, comfort, or “make it look finished again”—we can recommend the right direction without overcomplicating it.

Materials: what to choose (and why it matters)

Material choice should fit the car, the use case, and the level of matching you expect. We’ll guide options during an estimate, but these are the real-world considerations.

Leather

Leather can look excellent on the right interior, but matching is more than “tan” or “black.” Grain and sheen vary, and aged leather can make one brand-new panel stand out. The right approach depends on how strict you want the match and how much of the interior has faded over time.

Vinyl

Vinyl can be a strong choice for durability and maintenance, especially on daily drivers and high-use vehicles. It’s also one of the easiest materials to get “almost right”—and that’s where work starts to look patchy. Texture and finish matter.

Cloth

Cloth matching depends on weave and tone under daylight. When it’s off, the seat reads as “two different seats” immediately. If you’re trying to keep things looking factory-consistent, cloth is often the hardest material to match perfectly.

What affects price and turnaround

Upholstery is largely labor and detail work. Pricing and timeline usually move with:

• Job size: one panel vs one seat vs multiple surfaces
• Construction: panel-heavy seats, tight curves, and stitched details take more time
• Foam/support: rebuilding comfort adds labor but changes the result dramatically
• Material selection and matching: finding the “right” look can take more time than choosing any material
• Condition: brittle or sun-damaged interiors often require a reset rather than small repairs

We’ll give you clear options and a realistic timeline once we see what you’re working with.

How to get a quote (call or text)

Call is fastest. Text is great when you want to send photos first.

For the quickest estimate, include:

• Year / make / model
• What’s wrong (seat tear, seam split, sagging headliner, leaking top, etc.)
• 2–3 photos in daylight (one wide shot + one close-up)
• If matching is important, one photo of the “good” area you want it to blend with

Call: (408) 379-3820
Text: Text (408) 379-3820
Directions: 271 Bestor St, San Jose, CA 95112

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