Heat Vs. No Heat in Vinyl Repair

Heat Repair

• Heat repair kits come with several different types of pattern paper for patches. They also include a heat-transfer tool, usually a metal disc of some type. You heat this disc by holding it up to a heat source like a cigarette lighter or an iron. If you have a plug-in heating iron with a similar flat surface you can use it instead. After heating the iron and attaching the patch with adhesive, press down on the patch with the hot tool, bonding the patch in place.

Uses

• The heated versions of vinyl repair kits are useful when you want a strong patch for a material that has one easy-to-replicate pattern. Kits come with grain pattern papers for vinyl flooring that is designed to resemble wood, as well as cloth backing fabric for added support. This makes these kits ideal for vinyl floors, especially those with large areas of damage.

No-Heat Repair

• No-heat vinyl repair kits also come with patches, but they are designed to adhere to vinyl surfaces without the need for heat. Rather than providing several different types of patterns, these kits more often provide only one type of generic vinyl pattern, or may include paints that the vinyl can be coated with to match nearby surfaces.

Uses

• The no heat kits are more useful for smaller rips and holes in vinyl than heat kits. Also, they are generally used for vinyl seating and furniture rather than hard surfaces like vinyl floors. However, they may be more versatile when it comes to matching a specific pattern and color.