Cracked Center Console Lid: How to Fix It
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A split in the vinyl lid is one of the easiest interior repairs. A repair kit with backing fabric fixes it in about an hour. If the plastic underneath is broken, replace the lid.
- Typical cost
- $15 to $40 DIY, $100 to $250 at a shop
- Time
- About 1 hour
- DIY difficulty
- Easy
That crack in your center console started small, and your elbow has been making it worse every day.
Why it happened
The lid is padded vinyl stretched over foam. Heat dries it out, and your elbow flexes it over and over along the seam or the fold. Eventually it splits.
What to do right now
Stop leaning on it. Clean the area with an interior cleaner and leave the edges alone. Don’t glue it yet.
DIY fix
- Clean the area with rubbing alcohol on a cloth. Let it dry.
- Trim any loose, frayed edges.
- Slide the backing fabric under the split.
- Apply the adhesive, press the edges together and let it cure.
- Fill, apply the grain paper, then color. Take your time on the color match.
When to replace the lid
If the plastic underneath is cracked, or the hinge is broken, a repair won’t hold. A used lid from a salvage yard, matched by color, is usually $40 to $150. A shop can also re-cover the lid in new vinyl.
What it costs
- Repair kit: $15 to $40
- Used lid: $40 to $150
- Shop re-cover: $100 to $250
Keep it from happening again
Don’t use the lid as an armrest every drive if you can help it. Wipe it clean and apply a UV protectant a few times a year.
Go to a shop if the plastic underneath is cracked, the hinge is broken, or you want the lid re-covered in new vinyl.
Tools that make it easier
- Check price
Vinyl repair kit with backing fabric
$15 to $40The backing is what keeps the repair from splitting again under your elbow.