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How to Repair PVC Toys

PVC stands for a soft, plastic product called polyvinyl chloride. According to the European Council of Vinyl Manufacturers, PVC is more commonly referred to as vinyl. The flexible material of PVC is used to make inflatable and sometimes stuffed toys for children and for pool and water recreation uses. PVC is also used to make flooring, faux leather products, and many other useful items. You can repair PVC toys using adhesive repair patches created especially for use with PVC plastics. Buy PVC repair patches at pool stores and in the water recreation aisles of discount stores.

Things You'll Need

Damp sponge
Towel
Adhesive PVC repair patches
Scissors
Ruler

Instructions

- 1
  Inflate the PVC toy to locate the source of the leak, or find the defect. If you're repairing a stuffed toy with a PVC outer shell put the toy on a flat surface and locate the repair area.
- 2
  Use a damp sponge to clean the area around the hole or rip, or seam separation. The PVC repair patch won't bond to the PVC properly if the PVC is dirty.
- 3
  Towel dry the cleaned repair area. Some PVC adhesive repair patches will bond to wet PVC. Read the complete manufacturer's instructions on the particular purchased brand of PVC adhesive repair patches.
- 4
  Cut the repair patch at least 1-inch wider and longer (or in the case of a round repair area, at least 1-inch larger diameter than the defect) than the defect. Don't remove the paper or plastic backing while you are cutting the repair patch to size. According to the European Council of Vinyl Manufacturers, PVC is one of the most popular plastics used worldwide. There are many different brands of PVC adhesive patches. Repair patches can be clear or in a color matching the PVC toy.
- 5
  Remove the paper or plastic backing from the back of the PVC repair patch. Discard the backing.
- 6
  Press the repair patch over the defect. According to the Pool Center website, several products are pressure sensitive and require no glue to bond thoroughly with the PVC plastic toy. Rub the repair patch to encourage a complete seal to the PVC toy. The patch seal will continue to strengthen after application to the PVC toy.
- 7
  Inflate the PVC toy if it is a blow-up toy and test the strength of the repair patch. According to the Pool Center website, repair patches are useful for repairs to raincoats, vinyl products, inflatable toys and objects, outdoor accessories and many other products.

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