TECH SHEET 37 - VELOUR REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS To: Velour Repair Specialists Subject: Basic Velour Repair These instructions are a revised version of those written by Lucille Massey and her organization. They have been revised due to the introduction of new products, including the Auto-Match and Committee colors, new adhesives, a Velour Puffer, and the Electrostatic Applicator. The revision is with permission of the authors, with our thanks. The products used for velour repair are simply: Velour FibersApplicators (optional based on work) ProFlex SVA SprayAdhesive Electrostatic Applicator (ESA3) Base Adhesive Velour Shaker Reinforcing Underlay Velour Puffer Palette Knife Velour Sifter Tweezers (optional) Velour repair success depends on your ability to stand behind the work, reproduce texture, and match color. About color -- the velour fibers are tiny colored filaments. The different colored fibers produce an optical illusion of changed color when mixed. Nowadays there are dozens of pre-matched colors so that mixing is less important. However, it is still useful to shift hues by mixing. Try blending small amounts of white and black fiber in a separate container. Notice how they change to gray. Try other mixes. There are many ways to blend colors. For small jobs you can use a jar and shake the colors together. One of the best methods uses a flour sifter and a sheet of paper. Sift the fibers together onto the paper. Recycle the mix through the sifter, adding more colored fiber as required until the color match is right. Another simple method uses the velour shaker as a sifter. Invert the shaker screen and use your finger to blend the fibers and sift them into the cup. Now many velour fiber colors are available, especially since the introduction of the Auto-Match and Committee Colors. You can usually start color-matching with a base color very close to the original fabric. Often these need only be lightened or muted to account for sun fade, soiling, or dye lot changes. Once you practice and understand color matching with fibers, you are ready to proceed with repairs. INSTRUCTIONS: STEP 1: In confined or inadequately ventilated areas, solvent vapors from adhesives can exceed safe levels. Wear a NIOSH approved organic vapor mask. In all other cases, wear a disposable type respirator approved by NIOSH for removal of dust and mist. This will protect you from breathing in the tiny airborne fibers. Estimate the amount of color matched velour fiber required. You will not need a large volume of fibers for the base repair and the feathering needed for completion. Use your own experience and you'll soon be able to judge how much to mix by the size of the area you need to cover. Blend the velour fibers to get the color-match and set it aside. If you can't get the color match, do not attempt to start the repair. NOTE: Some late model auto seats have a fabric protector applied at the factory. It must be removed before the repair is made. To remove it use a solvent such as general purpose lacquer thinner and dry wipe. Proceed when the solvent is completely evaporated. STEP 2: On deep burn holes it is necessary to insert an underlay. Cut a piece of reinforcing underlay about 1/8" to 1/4" larger than the hole to be repaired. Be sure to cut the underlay with rounded edges rather than square corners. Insert the underlay with all edges flat, not curled, under the hole. You can check this with your palette knife or tweezers. Slip the tool under the edges of the hole and move it around. This will lay the edges down. NOTE: It is a good idea to fill deep holes with batting before inserting the underlay. STEP 3: Prepare the Base Adhesive (Unique Stitch or similar fabric adhesive works well). Squeeze a small portion from the tube onto a flat, clean surface. Add a small portion of your color-matched fiber and mix well. The Base Adhesive will become gummy but workable. If you add more fiber the Base Adhesive will become thicker and less workable. STEP 4: Place some of this mixture into the repair area. Use care to get the adhesive bonded to the edges of the repair. This can be difficult if you've added too much fiber. Lightly tap or spread the mixture with your palette knife to smooth it out. It is most important to get the hole filled and flush with the surrounding material. Lightly tap the plug once it begins to dry to insure that it will not bubble up. STEP 5: Select the proper tool for applying the feathering fiber to complete the repair. For small jobs use an Electrostatic Applicator, Velour Shaker, or Velour Puffer. For repairs where it is important that fibers stand-up, select the Electrostatic Applicator. However, read and understand the separate operating instructions (see Tech Sheet 38) before you attempt to use this unit or change the batteries. Load your color-matched velour fibers into the tool you have selected. STEP 6: Before going any further, mask off the area with tape and paper (preferable at seams). This will help prevent your repair from "growing" or creating a big mess. Test a portion of your color-matching as applied through the tool you have selected. DO NOT spray adhesive on the repair area when you are testing your color-match. If the color is correct, proceed, if not, re-blend. STEP 7: Check your respirator for fit. Have your tool at hand and loaded with color-matched fiber. Spray a medium wet coat of ProFlex SVA spray adhesive to the repair area and slightly beyond its edge. Use a paper shield with a hole in the center if you have difficulty keeping the spray area small. Immediately set the adhesive aside and take up your velour tool. Blow, shake, or sift the fibers on the entire area covered by the spray adhesive. STEP 8: It is far better to use only one application of feathering over and around the repair. If a second application is needed, be sure to let it dry for about 15 minutes before respraying with adhesive and fibers. It is a good idea if you have to apply a second coat, to take a smooth round plastic container and roll it across the area you sprayed. This will smooth the area for a second coat. Too many applications, or layers, will make the repair "knotty". It won't look good. We do not recommend topcoating repairs especially if you are using a high performance spray adhesive. The fewer fibers used on the repair the better. If you make sure the repair hole is flush you won't have to use as much of the feathering to hide the repair. After completing the repair, let the area dry for 20 to 45 minutes. The longer you let it dry before putting it to use the better. Wait at least 24 to 48 hours before cleaning or vacuuming the area. Mild heat (hot to skin) will speed up the repair cure. HELPFUL HINTS 1. If you are repairing a light burn spot, scrape or shave away the charred fibers. You do not need to use any reinforcing underlay. Begin by filling the area with your mixed fibers and Base Adhesive. Then proceed with the instructions. 2. Use your palette knife edge to make the same design as the material (i.e. ribs or corduroy patterns). It is sometimes possible to "repair-in" thin lines or plaid patterns. Mask off the areas and lines you don't want colored on the first application of adhesive. Feather the repair. Then mask off these areas from the adhesive and feather the unmasked area with another color. 3. If you feel you must topcoat your repair use a very light coat of one part ProFlex SVA in four parts water. Segregate the products to avoid mix-ups.