Vinyl is a popular material for furniture because it’s easy to work with, durable, and comfy. However, over time, vinyl can rip, crack, or tear, particularly on vinyl chairs that experience a lot of weight and friction. You might also have vinyl in your car or boat, on surfaces like the dash and doors. Fortunately, a professional vinyl repair service can help restore these surfaces effectively. If you’re looking for a DIY approach, you can learn how to fix cracked vinyl yourself. For those dealing with leather, seeking a Leather Repair Service is a great option to restore your items to their original condition. Both vinyl and leather repairs can be straightforward with the right techniques and tools!
How to Repair Cracked Vinyl
You’ll need a few things to get started:
- Rubbing alcohol (optional)
- Hair dryer (optional)
- Iron
- Cotton swab
- Mild hand soap
- Washcloths
- 320-grit sandpaper
- Vinyl repair kit
Vinyl is just plastic (specifically polyvinyl chloride). Plasticizers make it flexible for furniture use, and a clear topcoat keeps the plasticizers in place. When this topcoat wears off or gets damaged, the vinyl can crack, which is common in high-use items like car seats and boat interiors. A liquid vinyl repair kit can fix this, and keeping your vinyl conditioned helps prevent more damage.
Steps to Repair Vinyl
Run hot water from the tap. Soak a clean washcloth in the hot water, then wring it out so it’s just damp. Put a small amount of mild hand soap on the washcloth and clean the cracked area of vinyl. Scrub a bit beyond the damaged spot so the repair material has a good surface to stick to.
- Rinse the area with a new cloth and clean water to remove soap and dirt. Wipe the area with a dry cloth and let it air dry completely.
- Lightly sand the cracked area with 320-grit sandpaper. Sand a bit beyond the crack. This step is important for helping the repair stick. Wipe away any dust with your dry cloth.
- Use the spatula tool from your repair kit to apply liquid vinyl to the cracked area. Spread it in a thin, even layer over the damage and a little beyond the crack. You can use your fingertip to smooth it out.
- If needed, apply more layers. Use a hair dryer to help each layer dry faster, staying about a foot away. Apply each layer thinly and allow it to dry for 10 to 15 minutes between coats.
- For the final touch, you can smooth the surface with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol, but be careful as alcohol can harm vinyl. Rub lightly over the repair a few times.
By following these steps, you can keep your vinyl furniture and accessories looking great!