Leatherette products have become a part of human life. Car upholstery, clothing and shoes made from this material are found everywhere, since it is more affordable for people with modest incomes.
It often happens that a hole appears on a favorite thing, but you don’t want to part with it. This is where repair methods using glue often come to the rescue. And for the repair to be successful, you should know the advantages and weaknesses of adhesives made by domestic and foreign manufacturers. And also how to do the work of restoring your favorite thing correctly.
Glue review
Among domestic glues, compositions 88 and Moment are more popular.
The first of them is distinguished by sufficient strength when gluing parts made of leatherette to other surfaces. Disadvantages include a sharp and unpleasant odor that does not disappear within several weeks. The cost of glue varies around 230 rubles.
Another popular domestic glue is Moment. This universal composition has good adhesion.If you apply it to both surfaces to be joined, then after 10 hours it will be difficult to tear them apart. At the same time, manufacturers guarantee maximum effect within 24 hours. Another advantage is the absence of a specific odor 24 hours after completion of work. The budget price of the composition is also attractive: 190 rubles.
In addition to the common glue for repairing leather products or its substitute, you can find other compositions in stores. Thus, “Mars” glue is sold in 50 ml tubes at a price of 70 rubles. It retains its properties at temperatures from -40 to +80. But it should be used in work at temperatures from -10.
Glue that reaches store shelves from European countries often has better characteristics than domestic analogues. However, you will have to purchase it on order, and taking into account delivery, the price will be much higher.
Thus, GTA Botern glue, produced in Poland, can be ordered for 1,500 rubles in quantities of at least five cans. When purchasing 10 or more, the cost will drop to 1200 rubles. Although it is difficult to find in Russia, in other countries it is widely used for working with products made of leatherette and other materials.
High levels of strength and reliability and German adhesive Mah. You can order it at a price of 1,500 rubles per half liter. It retains its qualities at the highest temperature of +160 degrees. This is how it differs from most of its analogues.
What you should pay attention to when choosing glue
Since all formulations differ in color, consistency, method of application and adhesion, when choosing a product it is worth considering several factors:
- does the glue have an unpleasant odor and how long does it take to dissipate?
- whether the composition has the property of staining the fabric, this factor is especially important if a light-colored leather product requires repair;
- whether the glue lays down in an even layer, or whether lumps form, creating an unpleasant visual effect on the leatherette;
- what is the lowest possible temperature for using the composition;
- quality of adhesion, which is necessary for repairing things that are regularly exposed to mechanical stress;
- temperature threshold at which the glue retains its properties.
All this must be taken into account when choosing a composition for work, as well as when determining a method for eliminating damage to a product made from a leather substitute.
Liquid skin as an alternative to glue
In some cases, a decision may be made to correct a defect in a product using liquid leather. This product is used to repair cracks and cuts in shoes and other leather items.
This method is not recommended for repairing things made from dermantine. The vinyl included in this fabric does not allow liquid skin to be absorbed. Therefore, the surface treated in this way will peel off after a short time.
If the car cover or jacket is made of a higher quality leather substitute (polyurethane, nitrocellulose or other coating), using liquid leather will give better results than with cheap leatherette. But it still cannot compare with the natural skin for which the product is intended.
How to seal a hole in a leatherette jacket
For example, let's look at how to repair a torn leatherette jacket. To tidy up a torn item, a patch is often used, which is attached either to the front or back side of the item.
In the first case, the surfaces to be joined are cleaned of dirt and degreased with acetone.For ease of work, the lining is ripped open, and the damaged area of the product is leveled and smoothed.
The patch must be larger than the damage it will cover. The allowance is approximately a centimeter on all sides. A small piece of material is usually included with the jacket along with extra buttons. If not, you can take any thick fabric of a similar color. If the process is performed on the reverse side of the jacket, the surfaces can be sanded to enhance adhesion.
Most compositions require application in 2 layers. First, the surfaces are covered with an even layer of glue for the first time and left for 20 minutes to dry. Then the second layer is applied. Now you need to wait a couple of minutes for a thin film to form on top of the treated leatherette.
Now all that remains is to connect the patch to the jacket, aligning the edge of the tear and pressing the edges of the cut. Finally, all that remains is to process the seam from the front side. To do this, its edges are slightly pushed back, additionally lubricated with glue, and then pressed back. The remaining composition can be carefully removed with your fingers.
When attaching a patch to the front side, the operating principle is the same, only the requirements for the fabric used in this way increase.
General recommendations for performing the work
Before you start using the selected composition, read the manufacturer's recommendations, since application methods and glue drying times may vary. Also, do not ignore the general safety rules:
- the room in which work is carried out must be well ventilated;
- You should not leave the tube open, as the substance will retain its properties longer.
To apply the composition in an even layer, a brush is often used.If this tool is planned to be used in the future, it will need to be cleaned of glue immediately after finishing work. Otherwise, it will be impossible to do this later.
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