FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I open a tube of Liquid PVC?

Liquid PVC has an aluminum seal beneath the nozzle that must be completely punctured before use. Remove the cap and nozzle, discard the red tamper ring, then completely puncture the aluminum seal with a paper clip or other sharp object to allow the liquid to flow freely. Reinstall the nozzle and cap. If a larger bead is needed, trim the nozzle with scissors or a utility knife.

How long does Liquid PVC last?

Unopened tubes of Liquid PVC have a shelf life of up to one year beyond the date stamped on the tube when stored properly. Once opened, the solvents begin to evaporate, causing the product to thicken and become less effective over time. For best results, we recommend using a fresh tube for each repair. If you only use small amounts at a time, our smaller tubes may help reduce waste.

What can I use Liquid PVC on?

Liquid PVC is specifically formulated to repair rigid PVC products, including vinyl window frames, vinyl fencing, vinyl siding, trim, gutters, and other hard PVC building products.

IMPORTANT PRO TIP

Before applying Liquid PVC, thoroughly clean the repair area with VinylDoc Vinyl Cleaner to remove smoke residue, dust, oils, silicone, and other surface contaminants while helping to neutralize alkaline residues such as stucco overspray, concrete dust, and soda ash. Allow the surface to dry completely before application.

Can I use Liquid PVC on flexible vinyl?

No. Once cured, Liquid PVC becomes hard and is designed for rigid PVC products. It is not recommended for flexible PVC materials such as automotive dashboards, vinyl upholstery, inflatable products, or other soft vinyl items.

Why did my aluminum tube burst?

Aluminum tubes are designed to withstand normal use. However, excessive squeezing pressure or attempting to force thickened material through the nozzle can cause the rear crimp to fail.

For best results:

  1. Make sure the aluminum seal beneath the nozzle has been completely punctured before use.
  2. Squeeze the tube from the bottom toward the nozzle rather than from the middle.
  3. Use fresh tubes whenever possible. Once opened, solvent evaporation can cause the Liquid PVC to thicken, making it more difficult to dispense.
  4. If using the same tube for multiple repairs, clean both the nozzle and the tube opening after each use to prevent dried material from clogging the opening.

Will Liquid PVC stick to wood, aluminum, fiberglass, or other materials?

No. Liquid PVC chemically welds PVC surfaces together. It will not adhere to wood, aluminum, fiberglass, glass, or most other plastics including polystyrene, polyurethane, nylon, or silicone-containing materials.

Will Liquid PVC stick to paint?

Since most paints do not contain PVC, Liquid PVC will not permanently bond to painted surfaces unless the paint is made from PVC. For proper adhesion, remove all paint, silicone, dirt, oils, and other contaminants before applying Liquid PVC.

Can Liquid PVC be painted?

Yes. Once fully cured, Liquid PVC has a consistency similar to the original PVC window frame. It can be filed, sanded, drilled, and painted using paints specifically designed for PVC or vinyl surfaces.

Note: Painted PVC, like painted vinyl siding, may require periodic maintenance depending on exposure and weather conditions.

Can Liquid PVC be sanded?

Yes. Once fully cured, Liquid PVC can be shaved, filed, sanded, drilled, and finished much like the original PVC window frame. For best results, we recommend using our Shine-It Finishing Kit.

How do I fill holes with Liquid PVC?

For the strongest repairs, we recommend using the rigid PVC repair stock included in our PVC Quick Repair Kits.

For small holes, such as nail or screw holes:

  • Fill the hole with Liquid PVC.
  • Insert thin slivers cut from the PVC repair stock.
  • Apply another layer of Liquid PVC over the repair.

After the repair has fully cured, shave and sand the area smooth using our Shine-It Finishing Kit.

For larger holes:

  • Overlay a piece of PVC repair stock over the damaged area.
  • Weld it into place using Liquid PVC.
  • Seal all edges with Liquid PVC.

Because Liquid PVC shrinks slightly as it cures, several thin applications may be required for deeper repairs.

Do not use caulking to fill holes. Liquid PVC will not bond to caulking, and failed caulking can allow water infiltration.

Does Liquid PVC shrink?

Yes. As the solvents evaporate during curing, Liquid PVC will shrink slightly. Deep repairs may require multiple thin applications to achieve a flush finish.

Can Liquid PVC be used outdoors?

Yes. Liquid PVC is designed for exterior PVC building products, including vinyl windows, fencing, siding, trim, and gutters. Once fully cured, it is weather resistant and intended for normal outdoor exposure.

Can Liquid PVC bond broken PVC pieces together?

Yes. Liquid PVC chemically welds clean PVC surfaces together. For the strongest bond, both surfaces should be clean, dry, and free of paint, silicone, oils, smoke residue, and other contaminants.

How do I determine my window color?

Our Color Chart Page lists the available Liquid PVC colors by window manufacturer. We also offer three hard stock colors in our PVC Quick Repair Kits.

Because window colors vary by manufacturer, production run, age, weathering, and UV exposure, an exact color match is not always possible.

What temperature should I use Liquid PVC?

For best results, apply Liquid PVC when the surface temperature is between 45°F and 95°F (7°C to 35°C).

Lower temperatures slow the curing process, while higher temperatures can cause the product to dry too quickly.

How long does Liquid PVC take to cure?

Liquid PVC typically skins over within 1 to 3 hours and becomes dry to the touch. Under normal conditions, it reaches full cure in approximately 24 hours.

Actual cure times may vary depending on temperature, humidity, and the thickness of the repair.

How should I store Liquid PVC?

Store Liquid PVC tightly capped in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight, excessive heat, sparks, or open flames. Proper storage will help maximize shelf life and product performance.

Do you sell replacement windows or window extrusions?

No. We manufacture products specifically designed to repair damaged PVC window frames.

Window extrusions are proprietary to each manufacturer. If you need replacement windows or window components, please contact your window manufacturer.

Is there a VinylDoc repair service in my area?

This website is for VinylDoc products only.

If you are looking for someone to perform a repair, please contact VinylDoc Repairs LLC for service information.