How To Repair A Vinyl Jacket

Many products nowadays are made from vinyl or artificial leather. You'll see it employed in upholstery, tents, inflatable rafts, pools, and bounce houses, bags and much more. The problem is repairing these things if the vinyl ever tears. A tear in your tent might just let the rain in--you can live with that. But a small tear can render an inflatable raft useless. You'll need an adhesive that can seal that hole well, with a seal that will last.

Fortunately, there are also methods to repair vinyl. You'll see that there are patches that meld with the vinyl, forming a waterproof bond that can last for years. As for tears in couches, recliners, or your car's interior, you'll want a vinyl repair solution that also looks good. You'll see that there are vinyl patches and adhesives that will restore the vinyl or leather surface to its pristine condition--as much as is possible

We've composed this buyer's guide to help you make the right decision when selecting a vinyl repair kit. It'll help you:

Choose the right type of vinyl repair kit,
See useful tips about that particular type of vinyl repair kit,
Read reviews of different vinyl repair kits, and what customers are saying,
Select the right brand of vinyl repair kit, and
Compare prices and find the best deals.

Types of Vinyl Repair Kits

Patches: There are a number of products that allow you to patch up holes or tears in vinyl.
- Transparent adhesive patches: Some companies make see-through pieces of elastomer that bind to vinyl and plastic. An example is the Tear-Aid Vinyl Repair Kit. This makes it suitable for inflatable rafts, pools and bounce houses, that have to be airtight and watertight.
- Color-matched repairs: When repairing a hole or tear in upholstery, you'll want the repair to look flawless. Solutions of this type can be heat-cured, or just simply dry upon exposure to the air.
- No heat applied: For example, the Fortivo Leather and Vinyl Repair Kit requires that you apply a patch underneath the exposed surface of your upholstery. You then glue it in place with an adhesive that matches the texture and color of your couch. When it dries, the tear is barely noticeable.
- Heat-cured: There is also a heat-cured solution, such as the Visabella DIY Leather and Vinyl Repair Kit. This requires you to mix pigmented adhesive until you arrive at exactly the color of your upholstery. You then apply heat by means of a clothes iron. The result is a nearly flawless repair of the hole.
Cement: For DIY people, you'll also see liquid cement that bond vinyl and vinyl-coated surfaces. An example is the RH Products HH-66 Vinyl Cement. You apply this particular cement with a brush. You may have to find a piece of vinyl that suits your needs in making a patch.

Transparent Tear-Aid Vinyl Repair Kit

RH Products HH-66 Vinyl Cement

What reviewers say

Good for refurbishing your upholstery: These kits are suitable not only for tears and holes in vinyl upholstery. If your upholstery gets scrapes and scratches, there are adhesives that you can apply to get it looking good as new again.
Good for a range of materials: These repair kits can work on far more than just vinyl. The Fortivo Vinyl Repair Kit is good for repairing "pleather" (=polyurethane leather) and leatherette. You insert a piece of base fabric underneath the surface and apply the colored adhesive.
May take several coats: If you're repairing upholstery, be prepared to apply the adhesive several times. One customer said that s/he had to apply three coats before getting the right shade and achieving a texture that matches the upholstery.

Important Features

Size and shape of a patch: One method of patching a tear or puncture in vinyl is to cut a similarly-colored patch of vinyl yourself, and then cementing it in place with a vinyl epoxy. It is recommended to cut a circular patch of vinyl. A circular patch will minimize the chance of one of the edges getting caught and peeled off by accident. The patch should be large enough that it extends 1 inch further from the edge of the tear.
Matching the sides with a vinyl patch when using adhesive cement: Vinyl materials will have a dull side and a shiny side. Make sure that you match the surface type of the patch to that of the object that you are repairing. Apply adhesive cement to both the patch and the object being repaired. This will ensure proper adhesion. After applying the cement, wait 2-5 minutes before attaching the patch. Then wait 5 more minutes for a good seal. It will be fully cured in 8 hours.
Matching the color: If you want to repair upholstery, it is tricky trying to get a piece of vinyl exactly the same color as your furniture. Some companies make colored adhesive. You just have to match the color of your furniture to a chart that they provide, as in the Fortivo Vinyl Repair Kit. It will tell you what combination of colors will give you the right result.

Fortivo Vinyl Repair Kit Color Matching Chart

Top-Rated Brands

Tear-Aid Repair--is located in Land O'Lakes, Florida. They make two types of patches for a number of materials. One type is for canvas, rubber, plastics, and more, while they also make another type for vinyl only.
Visbella--established in 1996 and located in City of Industry, California, is a manufacturer of adhesives and repair kits. They make DIY leather and vinyl repair kits, as well as kits to repair automobile accessories and gaskets.
RH Adhesives--is headquartered in Acton, Massachusetts and has been in business since 1948. They make neoprene and vinyl cement, a waterproof formula that can withstand extreme temperatures and that is good for both industrial and home use.
J-B Weld--is a maker of adhesives for a wide number of uses: brick, ceramic, cloth, concrete, glass, rubber, and wood. Their leather epoxy is suitable for vinyl as well. They were founded by Sam and Mary Bonham in 1969, when seeking to make a new epoxy.

Product comparison table

#	Product Name	Popularity Score	Quality Score	Sentiment Score
1	PatchAll Clear Repair Tape Waterproof For Vinyl Leather and Canvas, Multi-Patch Kit	9.8	9.3	9.9
2	Airhead Tear-Aid Vinyl Repair Kit, Packaging May Vary	9.5	9.0	9.6
3	Pool Above Heavy Duty Vinyl Repair Patch Kit for Inflatables Boat Raft Kayak	9.2	8.7	9.3
4	No Heat Liquid Leather & Vinyl Repair Kit Non toxic and odorless 30-123	9.0	8.5	9.1
5	Randolph Leather and Vinyl Repair Kit - Furniture	8.7	8.2	8.8
6	Airhead® Vinyl Repair Kit for Vinyl Mending 5 pc Carded Pack	8.2	7.7	8.3
7	3M Leather and Vinyl Repair Kit, 08579	8.1	7.6	8.2
8	Furniture Clinic Leather & Vinyl Repair Kit, Tan	7.7	7.2	7.8
9	No Heat Liquid Leather & Vinyl Repair Kit Fix Holes Burns Rips Gouges	7.6	7.1	7.7
10	Jpgif Leather And Vinyl Repair Kit - Furniture Couch Car Seats Sofa Jacket	7.1	6.6	7.2