Download Article

Download Article

It tin be heartbreaking when you notice a tear in an art sheet. Likewise, it can be disheartening to see impairment to sail that's exposed to the outdoors, whether it's used for an awning, a patio umbrella, a camping tent, a canvas on a sailboat, or an outdoor embrace. Simply you tin repair near of these rips and tears at home by yourself! Holes in art canvases tin can be patched up with acrid-free glue and another piece of canvas. Once the patch is secure, yous'll exist able to conceal the pigsty with pigment on the forepart. Patches can be sewn on behind tears in outdoor canvas while agglutinative patches will cover up small puncture holes. While you can repair split canvas seams with a flat-felled seam, go out whatsoever vinyl replacement work to the professionals.

  1. i

    Lay the torn canvas face-downward and smooth out the frayed edges. Prepare a clean, flat surface before laying your sail down to protect the artwork itself. Conform the edges of the hole so that the loose fibers are facing the back side. Groom these carefully so that they lie flat on the dorsum side of the canvas.[1]

    • If these raw edges are left unattended, you might end upward with a bumpy or frayed section on the front of the canvas.

  2. two

    Cut a patch measuring larger than the hole out of similar canvas. Try to lucifer the weight and fiber content as closely equally possible. If the sheet has exposed raw edges where it'south been stapled onto on the dorsum side of the frame, use the thickness and texture of these raw edges for reference. Cut a rectangular patch measuring roughly one in (2.5 cm) larger on all sides than the hole.[2]

    • If the original is a medium-weight linen canvas, for example, await for a linen canvass of a similar weight.
    • If you're not certain about the weight and fiber content of the canvass, bring the painting into an art supply store and ask a sales agent to help you find a suitable match.
    • For a two in (v.1 cm) long rip with no real width, cut a patch measuring about 4 in (x cm) long past 2 in (5.1 cm) wide. You'd widen the patch if the damaged area was more than of an open up hole than a narrow rip.

    Advert

  3. 3

    Apply PVA gum to the canvas patch. It's of import to utilize acid-free adhesive to prevent harm to the artwork. Spread a dollop of PVA glue around the back surface of the patch. Use an old brush or your fingertips to smooth it out in an fifty-fifty layer.[3]

    • If you prefer, yous tin can use an iron-on agglutinative strip instead of glue. Cut the thermoplastic material down to the size of the patch and iron it onto the patch. Remove the backing and so iron it onto the back side of the artwork, using a press cloth to prevent the art canvass from scorching.[four]

  4. four

    Press the patch glue-side down onto the hole. Once your patch is covered with a layer of PVA glue, place it over the back side of the hole, centering it over the hole. Printing it down firmly on all sides. Polish out the patch with your hands to remove any air bubbles.[v]

    • If the original art sail doesn't encounter in the centre and you're left with a hole, place some parchment newspaper underneath the artwork before gluing down the patch to forbid the gum from sticking to the work surface beneath it.

  5. 5

    Exit a apartment lath and weight on meridian of the patched area for 24 hours. You lot'll want the glued-on patch to dry equally flat every bit possible, so you'll demand to weigh information technology downwardly. Identify a piece of stiff board or a cake directly on summit of the patched region.[vi]

    • Add together a weight or heavy volume on superlative to add some additional pressure level.
    • Allow the glue to dry out for 24 hours earlier removing the board and weights.

  6. six

    Paint over the damaged area on the forepart of the canvas. Heavy-bodied paints like oils and acrylics will conceal the raw edges on the front of the painting. Using the aforementioned blazon of paint and the same colors, mix together a matching shade and use a brush to carefully paint over the tear.

    • Be patient and build upward layers of color gradually.[7]
    • Permit it to dry out completely and you shouldn't be able to see the tear from the front of the sail.
    • Apply the paint in a moderately thick glaze to adequately comprehend up the raw edges. Just don't smear it on then thickly that it'southward noticeably different from the residual of the artwork.

    Ad

  1. 1

    Determine whether the sail is constructed or natural with a burn down exam. Notice out whether your sail is made of synthetic or natural fibers by reading the label or manufacturer's guide, or by doing a simple burn test. Cut off a small fiber from the damaged surface area and selection it up with metal tweezers. Agree it nigh a lit cigarette lighter or hot soldering iron.

    • If the fiber melts and chaplet upwardly, it's constructed. Therefore, information technology will be safe to seal off the frayed edges with heat.[viii]
    • If the cobweb becomes ashy and disintegrates, information technology'due south a natural fiber like cotton wool.
    • Avoid bringing the canvas in contact with the lighter flame; the heat alone will melt it.

  2. two

    Seal off torn edges in synthetic canvas using a soldering iron or lighter. Synthetic canvas will melt when exposed to heat, preventing it from fraying. Carefully hold the tip of a cigarette lighter or soldering iron at the torn edge, without actually bringing the flame in contact with the fabric. Wait a few seconds until the canvas starts to cook from the heat. Then slowly motion along the tear to seal off all of the raw edges.[9]

    • Be very conscientious non to calorie-free the sheet on fire and crusade bigger repair problems!

  3. three

    Use clear nail smoothen or Fray Cheque to seal the raw edges of natural canvass. If you're repairing canvass made of a natural fiber, apply a unmarried coat of articulate nail polish or Fray Check around the raw edges to seal them off. Let the sealant to dry completely earlier adding the patch.

    • The heat sealing method doesn't work on cotton wool, linen, and other natural canvases since the fibers will disintegrate when exposed to the flame.[ten]

  4. 4

    Pin a canvas patch behind the tear. You lot tin can purchase a canvas repair kit for your project, or order a sufficient length of outdoor sail online from a specialty manufacturer. Cut out a patch that measures two in (5.ane cm) wider than the tear on all sides. Use straight pins to agree the patch in place on the underside of the tear.[11]

    • Choose a sail in a similar colour to the detail you're repairing. If you tin't get the exact color, choose a darker shade. Lighter patches will exist more noticeable.
    • For a tear measuring five in (13 cm) long by 2 in (5.1 cm) broad, cut a 9 in (23 cm) by half dozen in (15 cm) patch.

  5. 5

    Sew the patch in place using a machine directly sew. Gear up your sewing machine up with a heavy-duty needle and durable, UV-resistant thread. Sew around the perimeter of the patch with a straight sew together, adding backstitches at the beginning, end, and corners for extra durability.[12]

    • Don't hand-run up the patch. It may expect untidy and won't exist as durable as a auto-sewn hem.

  6. vi

    Stitch down or darn the ripped edges on the machine. To darn the hole, run a straight stitch in a wide zig-zag all the way downwards the tear on your machine.[thirteen] Alternatively, run a straight stitch around the outside edge of the hole to secure the loose cloth down.

    • This is especially useful if the damaged area features a wide gash or a long cutting and you're left with loose flaps of canvas on meridian of the patch.
    • When darning synthetic canvas that y'all've melted the edges of, be very careful every bit you work over the potent melted areas. Go slowly or use the handwheel when yous reach these spots to avoid breaking your needle.

    Advertisement

  1. 1

    Place an adhesive canvas patch backside a modest hole. Purchase a canvas repair kit or a specialty agglutinative canvas patch. Clean off the damaged area with an booze wipe to remove any dirt and debris. Then cut the patch downwardly to size, leaving it roughly 1 in (2.5 cm) larger than the hole on all sides. Peel off the bankroll and press the patch onto the sheet, smoothing it out to remove any air bubbles.[xiv]

    • Any pocket-sized puncture or tear measuring less than 1 in (2.5 cm) can be repaired with an adhesive patch. For a round i in (ii.5 cm) hole, cutting a circular or square patch measuring 3 in (7.6 cm) across.
    • The patch should take some stretch and then it can motility with the sail.
    • Opt for a articulate patch if you can't find one in a matching color.

  2. 2

    Create a flat felled seam on a sewing machine when repairing a split seam. Set upwardly your motorcar with a heavy-duty needle and durable, UV-resistant thread.[fifteen] Line upward and pin the torn edges with the right sides of the canvas together. Sew a straight stitch, leaving a 5⁄8  in (1.6 cm) seam assart. Press the seam open, with both parts of the seam allowance to one side. Pinch the seam allowance edges and fold them underneath themselves, so that the raw edges bear on the stitches you just fabricated. Pin or press these in identify, then run 1 or two straight stitches over the seam assart.[sixteen]

    • A flat felled type of seam is effective because the raw edges and the first seam lines  are protected from exposure to the elements.
    • It'southward very important to use a durable needle and slow sewing speed since yous'll be going over 5 layers of fabric for the finishing stitches.

  3. 3

    Rent a professional person to replace cloudy or discovered vinyl windows in the canvas. If the vinyl panels in your boat cover or camping tent have deteriorated, know that y'all don't need to replace the entire canvas. Sewing on a new piece of vinyl requires an industrial sewing machine and heavy-duty supplies, then for the all-time results, contact your local boating repair shop and ask if they tin make this repair for yous.[17]

    • Getting vinyl windows replaced could save yous well-nigh lxx% over purchasing new canvas covers.
    • Fifty-fifty if y'all notice a split up in the seam between the vinyl window and the canvas, accept it to a professional since the material volition exist too tough for a home sewing machine to handle.[18]

    Ad

Add New Question

  • Question

    Looks similar a print on sail. The images are very dark. Can it be lightened?

    Community Answer

    Depending on the type of inks used, you might exist able to use a wash to lighten the unabridged canvas or provide a "burning in" effect to lighten one area past washing information technology. The wash is a very thin, even application of a lighter color that has been diluted. If the print has been sealed, it might be difficult to go the wash to stick. If the impress hasn't been sealed, the thinner (even just h2o) for the wash might cause the print itself to run. If it is canvas, in that location might be an area on the side of the canvas, under the frame, where you tin can test some acrylic or other paints to see if they will stick and how stable the print is.

  • Question

    How practise I repair a scratched sail painting?

    Community Answer

    If, when scratched, the paint has come off, use a thin brush brush to paint on information technology. If it is torn, you tin stitch at the back and paint on superlative of stitches from front, tape it with potent adhesive at the back and cover it up, or if information technology is a print, you tin can use ink to cover up the scratched part.

  • Question

    How do I restretch a canvass painting?

    Jessica Barker

    Jessica Barker

    Community Answer

    Outset, remove the staples from the back of the old stretcher to free the canvas. Identify the new stretcher (which may exist larger or smaller than the original) onto the back of the loose canvas. Brand sure it's centered on the canvas, with the painting confront-downward. Fold the raw edges of the canvass over and around each side of the stretcher, and secure them in place with i staple in the middle on each side. Pull the canvas taut around the stretcher equally you go along calculation staples all along each side of the stretcher.

  • Question

    How do I unstretch a small space on an fine art impress that has stretched out?

    Jessica Barker

    Jessica Barker

    Customs Answer

    If a small department of a canvas print or painting has gotten stretched out or dented, use a spray bottle to spray water onto the back side of the misshapen area to dampen it. Rub the h2o into the canvass to make sure information technology soaks into the fibers. The canvas should start to shrink and tighten upwards as information technology dries.

  • Question

    Where can I notice oval shaped grommets?

    Jessica Barker

    Jessica Barker

    Community Reply

    Marine suppliers oftentimes sell these in a variety of sizes and materials. Search online or visit a local boating repair store to buy oval grommets. If you're replacing grommets, exist certain to use the same size and cloth every bit the original.

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to become a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertisement

  • If part of your outdoor canvas is completely shredded, information technology may exist worth looking into a replacement before undertaking a complex repair on your ain. Ask a professional person for quotes for repairing and replacing the sheet so you tin weigh your options.

  • Preclude outdoor canvas impairment by applying a spray-on waterproof canvas shield.

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Advertisement

Things You'll Demand

  • Art sheet
  • Canvass patch
  • Pair of scissors
  • Acrid-free glue
  • Stiff board
  • Weight(s)
  • Pigment
  • Paintbrushes
  • Iron-on adhesive patch (optional)
  • Iron (optional)
  • Printing cloth (optional)
  • Soldering fe or lighter
  • Canvas patch
  • Straight pins
  • Pair of scissors
  • Sewing machine
  • Heavy-duty machine needle
  • UV-resistant thread
  • Adhesive canvas patch
  • Scissors
  • Sewing automobile
  • Heavy-duty machine needle
  • UV-resistant thread
  • Iron
  • Boating repair service (optional)

References

Almost This Article

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 127,436 times.

Did this article aid you?