REPAIR AND REPLACE SEAT COVERS
WRITTEN BY BRANDON BILLINGSLEY R
epairing or replacing seat covers may fall below the priority list of many routine repairs as important matters are rarely urgent and urgent matters don’t always top the list of importance. In reality, the safety of a well-maintained fleet, inside and out, is paramount, and added efficiencies to reaching this goal help us more readily obtain that level of safety for the children we’re entrusted with. Let’s take a moment to first examine the primary function of the
vinyl seat cover. FMVSS 222 yields a well-padded, high-back seat for compartmentalization during crash forces, which is mainly achieved by the foam envelope in good condition, fitted properly over the frame. Te vinyl seat cover, in turn, ensures the protection of the seat foam and more importantly provides a flame-proof barrier in the event of an on board fire, as required by FMVSS 302. Te current solution of vinyl over foam does yield a flashpoint, and if an onboard fire were to begin inside the bus, once foam is ignited, fire will quickly spread, engulfing the vehicle with an impenetrable black smoke due to a rapidly spread- ing fire and heat of epic temperature levels. Most in the transportation field have seen the results of an on board
fire, if not experienced them first hand and the degree of danger. Te un- thinkable results are an experience we strive wholeheartedly to prevent.
SEAT COVER REPAIR If caught early, a puncture or small tear can be repaired. Depending
on the size of the repair, this can be a cost effective way to prolong the life of the cover. Among the tools needed for this job, the graining pad is optional, de- pending on the level of repair and of course the heat gun and scissors are one-time items to keep in your facility if you routinely repair seat covers. Te best time to make a seat repair is while the puncture or cut/tear
are small. In this case the scissors and graining pad are unnecessary steps as small amount of vinyl repair glue and heat gun, then wait for the patch to cool and match with the spray paint. In the event of a larger cut it may be necessary to first use the scis- sors to cut a piece of spare vinyl material to use as a patch, which can be applied from underneath the cut, or in the event of a corner repair can be used over the top.
66 School Transportation News March 2014
STEP TWO: Cure the glue by using the heat gun. Heat the area about 6 inches away in a back and forth motion until the liquid vinyl begins to change from white to clear. This is an indication it is curing or “setting up” (or kicking, as referred to for concrete).
VINYL REPAIR TOOLS: liquid vinyl glue, plaster trowel, color-match spray paint, heat gun, graining pad, and scissors
STEP ONE: Use a small amount of liquid vinyl to adhere the patch, then using a trowel cover the “gap” with liquid vinyl glue as evenly as possible, where the gap is no longer visible.
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