TM 10-5410-228-10
3.13.1 Fabric Repair - Continued.
NOTE
The sealing block provides a flat surface to work against and insulates the area to minimize
heat escape during the sealing process.
(5)
Place sealing block (5) behind damaged fabric area.
(6)
Position FEP plastic sheet over damaged area and place repair tape over plastic sheet.
(7)
Use tacking iron (1) to tack repair tape (4) in place. Hold tacking iron (1) to repair tape (4) for
five seconds or until temporarily secured to the fabric.
(8)
Keep sealing block (5) behind damaged fabric. Place a piece of silicon paper (6) over repair tape
(4) to prevent staining of fabric. Hold sealing iron (2) against area to be repaired for one minute.
Use timer (7) included with repair kit.
(9)
Remove sealing iron and press cooling block (8) against hot repaired area for ten to fifteen
seconds to draw out heat.
b. Repairs of cuts, rips, tears and abrasions over one inch in length with fabric (Refer to Figure 3-9).
(1)
Place tacking and sealing irons (1 and 2) on insulation block (3). Plug in and allow to heat up for
twenty minutes.
(2)
On larger or irregular tears, first sew the opening closed using thread (9) and needles (10).
Stitch opening closed, maintaining a minimum distance of 0.25 inch from damaged area and
securely tying off thread (9) at each end of tear.
Alcohol solvents are flammable and give off harmful vapors. Use solvents sparingly and only
in well ventilated area. Avoid prolonged breathing of vapors. Keep away from heat, sparks,
open flames.
(3)
Clean damaged area using a rag dampened with alcohol. Allow area ample time to dry so the
surface is not wet when repair patch (11) is applied.
(4)
Patch size is a function of the size and shape of damaged area. Select a suitable size patch (11)
or cut a patch (11) of size and shape required. Round off all exposed edges of patch (11) to
prevent lifting.
(5)
Cut a piece of FEP plastic sheet to size of patch.
NOTE
The sealing block provides a flat surface to work against and insulates the area to minimize
heat escape during the sealing process.
(6)
Place sealing block (5) behind damaged fabric area.
(7)
Position FEP plastic sheet over damaged area and place patch over plastic sheet.
Tacking and sealing irons operate at high temperatures. Use care to prevent injury to
personnel. Severe burns may occur if sealing and tacking irons are touched.
Heat seal repairs may produce toxic fumes. To prevent injury to personnel, use in well
ventilated area.
(8)
Using tacking iron (1), tack patch (11) in place by holding tacking iron (1) to patch (11) for five
seconds or until patch (11) is temporarily secured to fabric.
(9)
With sealing block (5) still behind damaged fabric, place a piece of silicon paper (6) over patch
(11) to prevent staining of fabric. Hold sealing iron (2) against area to be repaired for three
minutes (use the timer (7) included with ABS repair kit).
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