Abstract 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.
The process claimed in claim 1 including the additional step of graining the surface of the cured last layer by: a. heating the surface of the cured last layer to soften it; b. applying a graining tool having the grain pattern of the vinyl base material in a die face thereof to the softened surface with the die face on such softened surface; c. maintaining the graining tool on the softened surface under a slight pressure to obtain a grain therein; and d. cooling the graining tool while maintaining the slight pressure to allow the grained softened surface to harden.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
The process claimed in claim 1 including the additional step of graining the area defined by the cured last layer and the adjacent surface of the vinyl base material by: a. heating the so defined area to soften it; b. applying a graining tool having the grain pattern of the vinyl base material in a die face thereof to the softened area with the die face on such softened area; c. maintaining the graining tool on the softened area under a slight pressure to obtain a grain pattern therein which is feathered with the grain of The vinyl base material; and d. cooling the graining tool while maintaining the slight pressure to allow the grained softened area to harden.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
The process claimed in claim 1 wherein the thermoplastic welding compound comprises, in parts by weight, about 0.445 parts of a copolymer of vinyl chloride and polyvinyl acetate, about 0.150 parts of a homopolymer of polyvinyl chloride having a fusion temperature of from between about 325 * to 350* F., about 0.395 parts diisodecyl phalate, and minor amounts of a stabilizer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
The process claimed in claim 3 wherein the thermoplastic welding compound comprises, in parts by weight, about 0.445 parts of a copolymer of vinyl chloride and polyvinyl acetate, about 0.150 parts of a homopolymer of polyvinyl chloride having a fusion temperature of from between about 325* to 350* F., about 0.395 parts diisodecyl phalate, and minor amounts of a stabilizer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
The process claimed in claim 3 wherein the graining tool has a backing with the grain pattern of the vinyl base material, the die face grain pattern is in register with the grain pattern on the backing, and the graining tool is applied to the softened area with the grain pattern on the backing in index with the grain pattern of the vinyl base material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process claimed in claim 3 wherein the graining tool has a backing with the grain pattern of the vinyl base material.