atencioee Posted June 12 Share Posted June 12 (edited) Question for forum...I have a package tray that has some very small minor cracks...Does anyone know of something flexible, vinyl friendly, and paintable that I can fill the tiny cracks with? Edited June 12 by atencioee (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted June 12 Share Posted June 12 If you think the rest of the vinyl is in good shape and will last as long as a repair, go to a new car dealership and ask for the service manager. Ask him for the names of a couple of vinyl repair outfits. They have materials and techniques that aren’t available to us average Joes. Have the vinyl repair man give you his opinion as to whether or not the vinyl can be repaired. The process involves a vinyl repair compound and a lot of heat. The problem with the heat is that it can destroy the surrounding vinyl. If you have the funds, buy a fiberglass piece from Clark’s Corvair and have them cover it for you. You won’t regret it. Better quality than the OE piece. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atencioee Posted June 12 Author Share Posted June 12 25 minutes ago, RivNut said: If you think the rest of the vinyl is in good shape and will last as long as a repair, go to a new car dealership and ask for the service manager. Ask him for the names of a couple of vinyl repair outfits. They have materials and techniques that aren’t available to us average Joes. Have the vinyl repair man give you his opinion as to whether or not the vinyl can be repaired. The process involves a vinyl repair compound and a lot of heat. The problem with the heat is that it can destroy the surrounding vinyl. If you have the funds, buy a fiberglass piece from Clark’s Corvair and have them cover it for you. You won’t regret it. Better quality than the OE piece. Thanks Ed, but I only want to know if there is a product someone has used that's flexible, vinyl friendly, and paintable to fill very minor, tiny cracks...anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted June 12 Share Posted June 12 There are products available but you’ll need traing and special tools to make it look good. I’m basing this on personal experience. In the mid 80s I worked for a franchise company named Dr. Vinyl “Plastic surgery and other cosmetic restorations.” 😁 I bought a franchise for the Independence/Lees Summit, MO area. Before going out on my own, I spent three weeks in training. Filling the crack isn’t that difficult but it leaves a flat scar in the vinyl. The real trick to finishing the repair is heating the compound to just the right temperature to use a mold and press the matching grain back into the scar. There are some DIY videos on YouTube with recommendations for repair materials. Good luck 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atencioee Posted June 12 Author Share Posted June 12 32 minutes ago, RivNut said: There are products available but you’ll need traing and special tools to make it look good. I’m basing this on personal experience. In the mid 80s I worked for a franchise company named Dr. Vinyl “Plastic surgery and other cosmetic restorations.” 😁 I bought a franchise for the Independence/Lees Summit, MO area. Before going out on my own, I spent three weeks in training. Filling the crack isn’t that difficult but it leaves a flat scar in the vinyl. The real trick to finishing the repair is heating the compound to just the right temperature to use a mold and press the matching grain back into the scar. There are some DIY videos on YouTube with recommendations for repair materials. Good luck 🤦🏽Again, I'm ONLY wanting to know if there is a product someone has used that's flexible, vinyl friendly, and paintable to fill very, minor, tiny cracks! That's all I want to know! 😁 Sorry Ed, but I'm not looking for a lecture, or info about extensive training, etc! Anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tenugent Posted June 12 Share Posted June 12 Urathane caulk,its paintable and never gets hard.Its used in the construction industry to caulk windows,I use it as a glue and water proofing.Goes by name Sika Flex,NP1,etc.Comes in a caulking gun size.I get it for about $10 a tube at a construction supply outlet. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbinator Posted June 12 Share Posted June 12 Gene, mining for information sometimes is best dug out yourself. I found Polyvance products outstanding. Go to YouTube and search Polyvance. Your answer is in the free Polyvance tutorials. Turbinator 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbinator Posted June 12 Share Posted June 12 32 minutes ago, tenugent said: Flex,NP1 Tim, thanks for tip on Sika NP1. Im always looking for new and better products. Turbinator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chasander Posted June 12 Share Posted June 12 Try “Rub and restore” I’ve used there product. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted June 12 Share Posted June 12 Gene, Did you do a Google search or watch any YouTube videos? Lots of information that it not advertisements. I’m most impressed with a product called Leatherique. You might find the 3M product for vinyl repair better suited for your needs. I wasn’t “lecturing” I was only saying that if you want the repair to look as good as the rest of your car, have it fixed professionally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atencioee Posted yesterday at 02:10 AM Author Share Posted yesterday at 02:10 AM "In-progress"... It's coming along. I should of thought of taking some "before" pics of the cracks that have since been repaired. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atencioee Posted 19 hours ago Author Share Posted 19 hours ago Finished... 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1965rivgs Posted 17 hours ago Share Posted 17 hours ago Looks great Gene, Tom 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted 16 hours ago Share Posted 16 hours ago What product / process did you use for your repair? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atencioee Posted 12 hours ago Author Share Posted 12 hours ago First, it a bit greasy and dirty, so I used a degreaser with a scoth-brite, scrubbing thoroughly. Then rinsed with wet rag & dried. Then sanded w/ scoth-brite, rinsed & dried. Then cleaned with SEM soap w/ scoth-brite, and wiped with damp, clean rag. After allowing to dry, filled cracks with a vinyl fabric friendly, flexible, paintable filler...you can use Angelus Paintable Repair Filler or even Sikaflex NP1 (as recommended by @tenugent)...from researching those, either or will do to fill small cracks, which is what I needed. After filling cracks, wiped off excess to keep a flat surface. Then allowed filler to cure, well over 24 hours. Then, even though both those fillers are paintable, but not knowing their compatibility with SEM paint/coat products, and therefore being on safe side, I proceeded to clean around the areas of repair with SEM soap and scoth-brite pad to remove filler that cured on the surface around the cracks. Btw, Angelus has paint dyes which I suppose could do the job as well and are compatible with their filler products, but I've never used their dyes and I've always had good experience with SEM products and I also liked the idea of coating as opposed to a dye for this particular project. Anyways, then after cleaning those areas with SEM soap, I wiped with damp, clean rag. After allowing to dry, I sprayed with SEM vinyl prep...then instructions say to wipe sheen in one direction. After allowing it to dry, I sprayed with SEM color coat Landau Black... multiple light coats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted 9 hours ago Share Posted 9 hours ago Good job. Did you have to imprint any grain patterns into your repair? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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