 
Jiml
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Username: Jiml
Post Number: 1
Registered: 06-2002
Rating: 
Votes: 5 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 27, 2002 - 11:02 pm GMT: | 
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Repairing Rubber Garments
(c) 2002 by JIML
If you have ever torn a treasured rubber garment, you'll know the sickening feeling as you survey the damage. No repair can ever completely restore the item but I've found a way to minimise the damage. Here's what I do...
(NOTE: This method is NOT suitable for tight fitting garments. The adhesive will pull apart if subjected to excessive lateral stress.)
First, you must save as many pieces of different types and colours of rubber sheet as you can find. Chances are you won't have a match for the torn garment, but if your collection of scraps is extensive enough, you will have more hope of finding something that will serve your purpose. (The repair will be on the inside of the garment, so a colour match is not so important).
First, lay the garment out on a table and place a piece of stiff cardboard under the damaged area. Then working on the outside of the garment, pull the torn edges together and hold them in place with short strips of cellulose tape. Carefully turn the garment inside out and check that the tapes are still secure and the tear is closed. Using a soft cloth and methylated spirit (rubbing alcohol), clean an inch-wide strip down both sides of the tear.
Take a piece of scrap rubber sheet that approximates in colour and texture the material you are trying to repair. Clean both sides with methylated spirit, as you did with your garment.
Now comes the secret bit... Get a roll of 3/4 inch "Scotch" brand adhesive transfer tape (Product No 924) (sometimes sold as "Scotch" Glue Tape) Unroll a length of tape two inches longer than the tear in your garment. Carefully lay this on the scrap rubber and press down firmly. Be careful with this product as it is as sticky as all-get-out and once it's stuck, it'll stay stuck - even where you don't want it! Neatly trim the rubber sheet each side of the tape, to give you a 3/4 inch strip of rubber, backed with a waxy brown paper.
It would be useful to have three hands for the next step but you must now remove the backing paper, position the tape over the tear and press firmly into position. If you have a long tear to mend, it's best to do it with several short sections of tape. And of course, this is the only way you can repair a curved tear.
After you have finished taping the inside of the tear, you can remove the cellulose tape from the outside of the garment and the job is done. Note again that this method is not suitable for tight fitting garments. However, you might try making a double-width strip of rubber tape, using two lengths of adhesive tape side by side. This may just hold if the garment is not too tight. I haven't tried it so I can't promise that it will work.
The adhesive works just as well on latex rubber as on gum rubber. And it can be used for other applications around the house, such as sticking labels on bottles or jars. It really is a magic product!
A roll of "Scotch" 924 tape contains 36 yards of material so you will never run out (unless you are extremely rough with your rubber clothes). The tape is also available in 3/8 inch rolls but this has limited applications for our purposes.
Good Luck! |
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