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Author Topic: What's the best vinyl repair system?  (Read 6549 times)

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Offline Terry in Australia

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What's the best vinyl repair system?
« on: January 07, 2006, 04:48:12 AM »
Okay, so my seat (see my post "Another Ebay Ripoff") arrived at Tom's (El Cheapo) yesterday, and surprise, surprise, there are a couple of "defects" that weren't mentioned in the auction description? Oh well, looking on the bright side, 77 bucks was a good price for what Tom believes is otherwise a good seat, so how do I make it better?

Tom recommended a product called "Liquid Leather- Leather and Vinyl repair Kit", but as Tom though the retail was around 35 bucks, I sought comfort "sitting on the dock of EBay", (well, I thought it was funny ;D) and did a search for these products, and found these candidates:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4430453903

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6027056581

http://cgi.ebay.com/LEATHER-VINYL-REPAIR-KIT-SEEN-ON-TV-L-K_W0QQitemZ5651813156QQcategoryZ1467QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/VLP-LIQUID-VINYL-FABRIC-LEATHER-REPAIR-PRODUCT_W0QQitemZ8248173084QQcategoryZ28133QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Professional-Vinyl-Leather-repair-kit-NEW-Seats_W0QQitemZ8028217774QQcategoryZ72203QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I want to buy the best kit, preferable with the electric soldering iron thingy, (if I need to heat the repair?) as I need to patch another K2 seat I have here that I was going to throw it out, plus the dash on my wife's little Korean car has developed a crack that needs filling, as does my son's old Ford.

Has anyone had any experiences with these products? I contacted a couple of the sellers, and they were quite happy to send the kits to Oz for around 9 - 12 bucks, which I think is pretty good? Thanks in advance guys, Cheers, Terry. ;D
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So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

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Offline jtb

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Re: What's the best vinyl repair system?
« Reply #1 on: January 07, 2006, 12:33:37 PM »
Terry,  I bought one on ebay last year.  It had a metal piece you had to heat with an iron.  I wasn't very happy with it, but it was cheap.
Maybe if you do a real good job, you'll have a "cush" ride.   :o :o :o
John
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Offline cbjunkie

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Re: What's the best vinyl repair system?
« Reply #2 on: January 07, 2006, 02:07:37 PM »
terry, i thought it was funny, too.  8)
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Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: What's the best vinyl repair system?
« Reply #3 on: January 07, 2006, 03:12:27 PM »
Quote from: _biffta_ on January 07, 2006, 12:43:31 PM
Stick the seats out in that HOT Aussie sun  8)  you keep telling us winter people about….maybe it will melt the stuff and mend the holes  ;D

Ha ha, no worries Dave, and I'll send it over to England to cool down again! Geez it's getting warm again here mate, I better throw my shorts and T shirt on, and take my ol' K1 for a ride to the pub! Cheers, Terry. (sweaty and thirsty)  :P

Quote from: cbjunkie on January 07, 2006, 02:07:37 PM
terry, i thought it was funny, too. 8)


Thanks mate, I'm glad someone appreciates me, ha ha!  ;D
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I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: What's the best vinyl repair system?
« Reply #4 on: January 07, 2006, 03:15:38 PM »
Quote from: jtb on January 07, 2006, 12:33:37 PM
Terry,  I bought one on ebay last year.  It had a metal piece you had to heat with an iron.  I wasn't very happy with it, but it was cheap.
Maybe if you do a real good job, you'll have a "cush" ride.   :o :o :o
John

Yeah John, it'll be "cushy on my tushy", ha ha! (oh well.........) I like that kit with the electric soldering iron thingy, I had a kit years ago with the thing that you're supposed to heat with an iron, and I was less than impressed......... Interestingly the company apparently makes a few different kits, some that require heat, and some that don't, I wonder why? ??? Cheers, Terry.
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I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

Offline ofreen

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Re: What's the best vinyl repair system?
« Reply #5 on: January 07, 2006, 08:58:21 PM »
If the split in the seat cover hasn't gotten too long or wide open, I've had very good luck with Shoe Goo.  Just apply it inside the split and pull the edges together and hold it with tape until it dries.  If you are careful, it doesn't look bad and holds up surprisingly well.
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Re: What's the best vinyl repair system?
« Reply #6 on: January 08, 2006, 06:27:59 PM »
where can you get 'Shoe Goo'????
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Offline ofreen

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Re: What's the best vinyl repair system?
« Reply #7 on: January 08, 2006, 06:53:01 PM »
Quote from: bowhunter on January 08, 2006, 06:27:59 PM
where can you get 'Shoe Goo'????

Shoe stores, hardware stores, I think I've seen it at Walmart if you can stand to go in there.  A lot of sporting goods stores carry it.  Amazing stuff.
« Last Edit: January 08, 2006, 06:54:55 PM by ofreen »
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Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: What's the best vinyl repair system?
« Reply #8 on: January 08, 2006, 07:00:10 PM »
Well I ended up buying one of these: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6027056581

But if I can find some shoe-goo, I might try that on another seat that I've got with a split cover. Thanks guys, Cheers, Terry. ;D
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I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

Offline 78 k550

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Re: What's the best vinyl repair system?
« Reply #9 on: January 09, 2006, 09:46:39 AM »
Terry,
 Not sure about there but here in local fabric store they have seat covering in the rolls and can get it for 10.00 a yard do about 2 seats with that. I have a yard here I'll send you a little square with your hook. If you cant get it there I can send you some. Or pull a patter off one locally and make a pattern from the original. This stuff has a polypropelene back so it is water proof.

Paul
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Paul
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Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: What's the best vinyl repair system?
« Reply #10 on: January 09, 2006, 12:44:13 PM »
Quote from: 78 k550 on January 09, 2006, 09:46:39 AM
Terry,
 Not sure about there but here in local fabric store they have seat covering in the rolls and can get it for 10.00 a yard do about 2 seats with that. I have a yard here I'll send you a little square with your hook. If you cant get it there I can send you some. Or pull a patter off one locally and make a pattern from the original. This stuff has a polypropelene back so it is water proof.

Paul

Hey Thanks Paul, did I send you my address yet? Cheers, Terry. ;D
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I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

Offline grumburg

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Re: What's the best vinyl repair system?
« Reply #11 on: January 09, 2006, 01:48:28 PM »
Just about any car dealer has "a guy" that comes around that repairs interiorsl on trade-ins. Left my 550 seat that had a split seam and "the guy" was there the next day and did an excellent job for $12.
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Offline Bob Wessner

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Re: What's the best vinyl repair system?
« Reply #12 on: January 09, 2006, 03:00:33 PM »
Terry,

I don't know where the tear/spit is, but if it is any where that will be stressed when you sit/ride (not implying you are over weight at all  ;)) I have had no luck with the "Vinyl repair kits." Some have I guess. I found the best thing is to get an upholsterer to close the split and reinforce it from behind with a swatch of material, then use the vinyl repair kit to repair the "blemish" if it shows.
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Offline jtb

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Re: What's the best vinyl repair system?
« Reply #13 on: January 09, 2006, 03:10:14 PM »
Yeah, what Bob said.  You could glue the swatch of reinforcing material with vegemite.  :o ::)

John
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Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: What's the best vinyl repair system?
« Reply #14 on: January 09, 2006, 03:24:32 PM »
Quote from: Bob Wessner on January 09, 2006, 03:00:33 PM
Terry,

I don't know where the tear/spit is, but if it is any where that will be stressed when you sit/ride (not implying you are over weight at all  ;)) I have had no luck with the "Vinyl repair kits." Some have I guess. I found the best thing is to get an upholsterer to close the split and reinforce it from behind with a swatch of material, then use the vinyl repair kit to repair the "blemish" if it shows.

G'Day Bob, well the seat that Tom is sending me is ok, just a couple of small holes in the side that look a bit like cigarette burns, so I'm confidant that the repair kit I bought should fix that ok.

I've got a K2 seat with a split down the middle if the cover, along the pressed "seam", so I thought that I could carefully take the cover off, and use something like Offy's Shoe-goo on a piece of materiel of some sort, then when dry put it back on.

I could then use the repair kit to hide the repair like you suggest, and even give it a coat of vinyl paint, as the seat looks a little "faded" too? Doesn't matter if I bugger it up, I bought this seat on Ebay for 5 bucks from a wrecking yard, and they wanted 90 to ship from the US, so I paid them the 5 bucks and said "keep it", and 3 months later, it arrived in the mail? Lucky me! Cheers, Terry. ;D
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I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

Henry Dorset Case

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Re: What's the best vinyl repair system?
« Reply #15 on: January 09, 2006, 07:59:19 PM »
Quote from: jtb on January 09, 2006, 03:10:14 PM
Yeah, what Bob said.  You could glue the swatch of reinforcing material with vegemite.  :o ::)

John

BAHAHAHAHA

sorry, thought that was funnier than the "dock of eBay" one..... ;D

the guy from Econohonda (www.econohonda.co.nz) had NOS "pattern" seat cover for my 400F which was only $60NZD... cheap.  Of course it cost me $100 to get the seat foam replaced and the studs put back etc... probably more than you want to spend?  My seat looks great now though.  (New digi cam arrives tomorrow so I will post a pic of a genuine 40000km CB400F
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Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: What's the best vinyl repair system?
« Reply #16 on: January 09, 2006, 08:32:11 PM »
Quote from: Henry Dorset Case on January 09, 2006, 07:59:19 PM
Quote from: jtb on January 09, 2006, 03:10:14 PM
Yeah, what Bob said.  You could glue the swatch of reinforcing material with vegemite.  :o ::)

John

BAHAHAHAHA

sorry, thought that was funnier than the "dock of eBay" one..... ;D

the guy from Econohonda (www.econohonda.co.nz) had NOS "pattern" seat cover for my 400F which was only $60NZD... cheap.  Of course it cost me $100 to get the seat foam replaced and the studs put back etc... probably more than you want to spend?  My seat looks great now though.  (New digi cam arrives tomorrow so I will post a pic of a genuine 40000km CB400F

You reckon that was funnier than "sitting on the dock of Ebay"? Man, I thought that was a classic! That's it, I give up................ >:(
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I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

Offline mutters

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Re: What's the best vinyl repair system?
« Reply #17 on: January 09, 2006, 10:20:25 PM »
Terry, I would look toward getting your upholsterer to fix it ,once and for all.
They generally don't charge a lot for small repairs and you get a professional finish .
Most "invisible repair " crap is just that.(crap, not invisible)
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Offline Dave Wyatt

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Re: What's the best vinyl repair system?
« Reply #18 on: January 11, 2006, 09:39:37 AM »
Those vinyl repair kits don't do much more than cost you money.  Vinyl has no real strength to it.  All of the strength comes from the fabric bonded to the back side.  The better the backing, the better the vinyl.  Either buy a repro cover or find an upholstery shop and have the bad panels replaced.  I've been doing auto upholstery since 1982 and have yet to see anything that beats new material for a repair.

Which reminds me, I need to get the seat off the Hondamatic this winter and recover it before spring arrives. :o
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Offline 78 k550

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Re: What's the best vinyl repair system?
« Reply #19 on: January 11, 2006, 03:47:30 PM »
Seat hook mailed out today it went UPS I hope that works for you.They said 5 to 10 working days.


Paul
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Offline mrblasty

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Re: What's the best vinyl repair system?
« Reply #20 on: January 11, 2006, 06:11:04 PM »
DUCT TAPE :o :o
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Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: What's the best vinyl repair system?
« Reply #21 on: January 12, 2006, 04:08:54 AM »
Quote from: Dave Wyatt on January 11, 2006, 09:39:37 AM
Those vinyl repair kits don't do much more than cost you money.  Vinyl has no real strength to it.  All of the strength comes from the fabric bonded to the back side.  The better the backing, the better the vinyl.  Either buy a repro cover or find an upholstery shop and have the bad panels replaced.  I've been doing auto upholstery since 1982 and have yet to see anything that beats new material for a repair.

Which reminds me, I need to get the seat off the Hondamatic this winter and recover it before spring arrives. :o

Wots a Hondamatic? Some kinda economy-car? We don't got no Hondamatics on this end of the "pond"? ;D
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I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

Offline dusterdude

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Re: What's the best vinyl repair system?
« Reply #22 on: January 12, 2006, 10:11:50 AM »
geez,i think you bumped your head one time too many jumpin out of good airplanes,its an automatic motorcycle.you know,no clutch required.
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Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: What's the best vinyl repair system?
« Reply #23 on: January 12, 2006, 01:50:40 PM »
Quote from: dusterdude on January 12, 2006, 10:11:50 AM
geez,i think you bumped your head one time too many jumpin out of good airplanes,its an automatic motorcycle.you know,no clutch required.

What? I had one of those mini-bikes with a lawn mower engine and a centrifugal clutch when I was a kid, did Honda make one of them? ;D
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I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

Offline dusterdude

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Re: What's the best vinyl repair system?
« Reply #24 on: January 12, 2006, 04:52:28 PM »
damn,you`re impossible ;D
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mark
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