Best (or least worst) DIY vinyl "patch" option?

mobocracy

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Jun 29, 2014
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I guess it was only a matter of time with a 95 pound dog that hates jet skis on board that the vinyl would get a rip. I have a "corner" shaped tear about 1/2" on each side in a cockpit bench seat, right in the "tan" part of the seat.

I'm pretty sure the best outcome would be just to take it over to the vinyl shop and have them fix it, but it would also sit there for 2 weeks and I kind of need a seat for the next 6 weeks. Maybe it's an offseason thing.

Are any of the DIY kits work a damn? Several seem to have color mixing options for color matching, but it looks kind of challenging unless they come with a "Sea Ray Tan" recipe. Most of the online reviews I've read are kind of mixed, with most people saying the kits available are generally decent repairs but the cosmetic results are iffy unless you do it all the time.

My tear is small enough that I think a self-repair effort would be worth a go in the short term.
 
I've used these mobile guys with good results....they may have a rep near you....they can work miracles on vinyl and leather problems....

cliff
https://www.wecanfixthat.com/
 
I'll second that - there are a number of business franchises that specialize in vinyl repair. Just google vinyl repair.
 
Yeah, I'm aware of the many pro repair options, but they're neither time efficient or convenient in the home stretch of the season. I was mostly looking for feedback as to whether the $20 DIY kits were worth gambling on, or whether I should just put a dab of tape on it until the season is over and hand the whole bench over to the vinyl shop when time doesn't matter anymore. I also don't have 2 hours to spend waiting for a vinyl repair vendor to show up at the slip in the middle of the day.
 
I’d put a piece of tape over it until you have the time to get it done by a pro.
 
Actually some of those pro repair guys do good work for a fair price and they come to you. I can’t remember the name of the company I used but I know they were a national franchise. They fixed a small tear in my sun pad while the boat was in my driveway. Under $100. Can’t see where the repair was done.
 
I guess it was only a matter of time with a 95 pound dog that hates jet skis on board that the vinyl would get a rip. I have a "corner" shaped tear about 1/2" on each side in a cockpit bench seat, right in the "tan" part of the seat.

I'm pretty sure the best outcome would be just to take it over to the vinyl shop and have them fix it, but it would also sit there for 2 weeks and I kind of need a seat for the next 6 weeks. Maybe it's an offseason thing.

Are any of the DIY kits work a damn? Several seem to have color mixing options for color matching, but it looks kind of challenging unless they come with a "Sea Ray Tan" recipe. Most of the online reviews I've read are kind of mixed, with most people saying the kits available are generally decent repairs but the cosmetic results are iffy unless you do it all the time.

My tear is small enough that I think a self-repair effort would be worth a go in the short term.
I believe there is some sort of iron on patch.
Just Google it
 
Yeah, I'm aware of the many pro repair options, but they're neither time efficient or convenient in the home stretch of the season. I was mostly looking for feedback as to whether the $20 DIY kits were worth gambling on, or whether I should just put a dab of tape on it until the season is over and hand the whole bench over to the vinyl shop when time doesn't matter anymore. I also don't have 2 hours to spend waiting for a vinyl repair vendor to show up at the slip in the middle of the day.
Many years ago, I had a patch kit consisting of several colors of patching compounds which could be mixed to your liking. You smeared this on your rip or damage, then applied the correct texture overlay then heated it with an iron. Worked awesome on several classic car seats. I'm can't remember the name of the product, but I'm sure there is something similar around now.
 
Many years ago, I had a patch kit consisting of several colors of patching compounds which could be mixed to your liking. You smeared this on your rip or damage, then applied the correct texture overlay then heated it with an iron. Worked awesome on several classic car seats. I'm can't remember the name of the product, but I'm sure there is something similar around now.

I have used those kits. They work really well on small rips and scrapes, but its hard to make a large repair invisible. The kits come with various textures of overlay that can match some patterns. I would not try it on a v-shaped tear though. The pro vinyl repair guys can do really good work though and are generally good at matching colours too.
 
7DB2E30F-DE0B-4476-ABFD-58CB2E0AD0D9.jpeg 8585BBDD-5EAE-4745-B3D1-6F6FD2E7E8A0.jpeg Here are before and after pics of a repair I had done by one of the mobile repair guys. Just can’t remember the name. It was a national franchise with locations most everywhere. Under $100. No loss of lake time. I was happy.
 
Thanks Wayne0. I agree. Old age is hell. I finally had to check my files. The name of the company was Fibrenew.
 
There is a product TearAid that works great if you can't wait for a franchise like Dr. Vinyl. I have used both with great results. The TearAid comes in two types; one for all vinyl applications and one for fabric.

Henry
 
There is a product TearAid that works great if you can't wait for a franchise like Dr. Vinyl. I have used both with great results. The TearAid comes in two types; one for all vinyl applications and one for fabric.

Henry


+1.....VERY tough clear tape....I have used it on canvas...

cliff
 

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