How to Cover Scratches on a Vinyl Couch

Snip a piece of vinyl from an inconspicuous area of the couch, using a sharp pair of scissors, and take it with you when you choose a vinyl repair compound. Vinyl repair compound comes in an array of colors, and having a sample piece of vinyl with you takes out the guesswork, making the selection process easier.

Read the instructions carefully before beginning. While the basic concept and tools required to repair vinyl are usually the same, there may be some slight variations in method from kit to kit.

Dampen a soft cloth with lukewarm water and a squirt of dish soap. Wipe down the scratched area to free it of any dirt and debris. Rinse the vinyl with a second damp cloth. Buff the vinyl dry with another soft cloth.

Open the vinyl repair kit and remove one of the alcohol pads. Run the alcohol pad over the scratches.

Dip the supplied plastic spatula into the vinyl repair compound. Apply a single layer of compound to the vinyl, coating the scratches with a thin, even layer. Lay a piece of grain paper, also supplied with the kit, over the repaired area.

Plug in an iron and set the heat to "High." Hold the heating tool by the wooden handle and press the metal point against the hot iron. Continue to press the tip against the iron for two to three minutes or until it's red-hot.

Rub the hot end of the heating tool over the grain paper immediately after removing it from the iron. Rub in a circular motion over the grain paper, melting the vinyl compound underneath. Continue the process for one to two minutes.

Allow the grain paper to cool for several minutes. Peel the grain paper from the vinyl once it is cool to the touch.