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Frequently Asked Questions |
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Aren't
all repair kits just about the same? |
| Actually,
no they're not. There are kits that are water base and kits that are
solvent base. Some require a clear top coat for the color coat to
cure. While others do not. In our opinion, the coatings that are water
base and do not require a clear top coat to cure are the best. Our Color-Flex is
water base and does NOT require a clear top coat to cure. DO NOT use a
solvent base coating on leather...it will surely crack!
Repair compounds vary greatly. Some need to
be sanded which we DON'T recommend. Sanding a repair will weaken it and it will
also add unwanted particles to your repair which can be difficult to get
out. Our repair compound is water based and does not require sanding. It
goes on like soft margarine on bread. It is easily smoothed out by wiping
over the surface with an alcohol pad. It couldn't be easier. Our
kits include 600 grit sandpaper which is a "finishing" sandpaper used
to remove
any particles that might have accidentally fallen into the Color Flex before it's dry.
Sand only after the Color Flex is completely dry. |
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How
much area will one bottle of Color-Flex or repair compound cover? |
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Honestly,
it's really difficult to estimate how much of an area a product will cover.
There are too many variables, such as how many applications are required to
cover completely, how heavy an application is needed etc. Some tint bases are
not as opaque as others therefore additional applications might be required. We
have seen claims that an 8 oz. bottle of color will cover 48 square feet, in our
opinion, that's a bit of a stretch. An good estimate would be, an 6 oz bottle
should easily cover about 18 sq. ft or one complete front seats of a car with two coats
or one average size chair. 99% of our customers are satisfied with the
amount of products contained in just one of our kits. You can always order
additional bottles it you think you'll need more than this. |
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What
is Magic Mender repair compound? |
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Magic Mender
repair compound is a
water based compound paste. It dries naturally, or drying time can be
accelerated by using a blow dryer. When dry, it permanently adheres to
leather and vinyl. Our repair compound is extremely durable and remains
soft and flexible, giving your repair the natural feel and appearance of the
original surface. Cleans up with water. |
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What
is Color-Flex? |
| Color-Flex
is water based specialty finish that dries quickly and feels like the original
surface. Very similar to the new finish coatings that furniture, clothing
and automotive manufacturers are now using on their leather. When applied
properly, Color-Flex dries into a flexible satin finish in about 15
minutes. Color-Flex can be applied with a foam brush, a sprayer, or it
can wiped on. It is extremely durable and remains soft and flexible.
Color-Flex is applied as the color finish top coat over your repair.
Cleans up with water. |
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What
is Spray Grain? |
| Spray
Grain is a water base simulated
texture spray. Repairs don't require this, but if you simply want to have
a textured effect, you would use Spray Grain prior to applying Color-Flex.
Spray Grain gives a pebbly effect, and takes away the smooth appearance. |
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Will
I need a Clear Coat? |
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Not
necessarily. If you like a satin finish, you're all set. If the original surface
has a dull finish or if it has a high gloss finish, you will then need to
purchase our Matte (dull) Clear, or our High Gloss Clear to achieve the best
results. Clear Coat can also be applied as a top coat for added
durability. |
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How
long will it take to complete a repair? |
| The
average repair takes about an hour from start to finish. It depends upon the
environmental conditions in which you are working. We recommend that you work in
a well lit area, preferably outside. The ideal temperature would be between 75o
- 85o . The warmer the conditions the faster Magic Mender
Repair Compound will cure and the Color-Flex
will dry. If it is cold, you can accelerate the drying process by using a
blow dryer. You will be able to use your repaired item as soon as it is dry,
however, complete curing takes about 24 hours. |
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Are
these repairs permanent? |
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Yes.
Magic Mender repair compound is formulated to bond to leather and vinyl. Our Color-Flex,
will wear just the same as the original color coating. Just how long it will
last, depends on how much wear is inflicted upon the repair, and how well you
take care of the item. |
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Will
I really get professional results? |
You
bet you will! The repair compound and Color-Flex that comes
with your kit, are the exact same products that we use in our daily repair
business. We have been using them for years, with fabulous
results. As long as you follow the included instructions, you'll
obtain the same results that we do --- professional !
*These kits are intended for several small
repairs, not major projects, like changing the entire color of an auto interior,
that kind of job is still best left to the pro's. |
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How
easy is easy? |
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Our
kits are incredibly easy to use. Really! Even if you make a mistake on your
first try...not to worry! The worst mistake you could make would be applying too
much repair compound. That's easily remedied by simply wiping the
surface with the alcohol pad until it is smooth. Because we mix the colors for
you, you don't have to worry about trying to get it right by mixing them
yourself. Even though we do this daily, it's still the most difficult step of
leather & vinyl repair. |
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Can
I change the color of my shoes, furniture or car interior? |
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Yes
you can on small items like shoes, but we don't recommend doing this on larger
items like furniture unless you have access to an air compressor and a spray
gun. Our aerosol sprayers are just fine for smaller areas or for blending,
but they don't produce the air pressure needed to cover a large item, especially
if you are changing color. |
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Special
cleaners or conditioners afterward? |
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No special
cleaners or conditioner are required after you make your repairs, however you
should not use any cleaner with ammonia or solvents. The same goes for
conditioners. Do not use vinyl conditioners on leather especially if they
contain silicone. We highly recommend Lexol Cleaner and Conditioner for your
leather. Lexol Cleaner is pH balanced, assuring you that you are not stripping
the essential oils from your leather as you clean it. Lexol's unique formula
penetrates easily into wet or dry leather to bond with the leather fibers. We
recommend that you immediately condition your leather or vinyl after your repair
is complete. |
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What
if I need help? |
If you are having difficulties, please let us know
so we can help. The odds are, you won't need it! We're telling you the truth
when we say that these kits are incredibly easy to use. Don't hesitate to
contact us
if you need help. |
