Damaged, flexible vinyl materials, such as automobile seats and tops, are repaired by a welding compound which is grained and colored to match the base material. The damaged section of the base material is prepared by removing frayed edges and the like to obtain a clean, sharp periphery. The base material is cleaned by a solvent to ensure adhesion or fusion of the welding compound with it. The welding compound is a vinyl compound which has a relatively high tensile strength and relatively low fusion point. This compound is applied in layers to the cutout area of the base material, with each layer being cured after it is applied. The final layer is smoothened to present a continuous, uninterrupted surface from the base material across the weld compound material. A graining tool, which is both hard and flexible, is obtained from an impression of the base material or material having the same grain structure. The graining tool is applied to the upper surface of the cured welding compound after it and the surrounding base material have been heated sufficiently to receive the grain impression.
Process for repairing holes or cuts in vinyl upholstery includes adhesive securement of a vinyl under-patch below the hole and filling the hole with a solution of vinyl in solvent, it being critical that some of the vinyl dissolved in the solvent is of the same color material as the vinyl being repaired.
A heat-activated process for forming a patch for plastic and leather-like materials employs a protective coating around the patched area to avoid damage due to the heating step. The protective coating cures to form a continuous insulating sheet prior to the heating step and is easily removable at the conclusion of that step.
A vinyl repair compound and two step vinyl repair method provide an exceptionally strong and long wearing repair. The repair compound includes vinyl resins, a solvent, a plasticizer and silica filler, has a paste-like consistency and air dries. The repair process entails the following: trimming away the damaged material, placing backing material behind the damaged area if necessary, filling the repair area flush with the surface of the surrounding material with the repair compound and allowing it to air dry. Due to shrinkage of the compound as it dries, a depression is formed which is then filled with a conventional heat curable plastisol vinyl repair compound. If necessary, smooth or grained release paper is placed over the repair area, heat is applied to cure the plastisol compound and the repair is allowed to cool.
A repair patch made of fabric coated with weldable plastics material for repairing sheets and used as covers for goods vehicle or containers. The patch comprises a sealing strip of weldable plastics material for sealing the circumference of the material of the patch to a sheet by welding, and the sealing strip is non-detachably connected to the material of the patch leaving a projecting margin of the strip which is to be welded to the sheet. To provide a preliminary connection, the sealing strip may be connected to the material of the patch by welding or bonding.
Base vinyl material is readied for repair by preparing the edges of a hole to get a clean sharp periphery, and by cleaning the base material. A substantially non-heat shrinkable, precured, vinyl-welding compound having high tensile strength and low fusion point is laid in the hole so that it abuts against the periphery of the hole and then is fused to the base material by heat. The upper exposed surface of the repair is smoothed to present a continuous, uninterrupted surface with the base material. A hard and flexible graining tool is obtained from an impression of the base material. The graining tool is applied to the upper surface of the welding compound after it and the surrounding base material have been heated sufficiently to receive a grain impression.
