For U Solution

Most soft tonneau covers marketed as leather truck bed covers are actually made of vinyl. Even though vinyl is tougher than leather when exposed to the elements, these covers are not indestructible. Without careful maintenance, leather-look vinyl truck bed covers can become dry and prone to cracks and tears. When this happens, you can use a leather and vinyl repair kit to fix the damaged area if its small. While it wont look like new, you can make the problem area less noticeable and stop it from getting bigger.

Instructions

1

Clean the area around the tear thoroughly to remove dirt and oil that might prevent the vinyl from bonding properly with the repair material. Use soap and water first, then swab with alcohol.

2

Remove any rough edges from the tear with a razor blade, scalpel or scissors. You want the torn edges to lie flat.

3

Insert a piece of canvas backing from a vinyl and leather repair kit under the tear with tweezers. Some kits require you to apply glue between the vinyl and the canvas and press them together to seal them; with others, you apply heat with an iron or a special tool.

4

Mix the pigments provided in the leather and vinyl touch-up kit to match the color of the truck bed cover as closely as possible. Mix the pigment with filler material from the repair kit.

5

Fill the tear with filler material. Apply it in several thin layers rather than one thick layer. Press the embossing stamp which most closely resembles the grain of the bed cover to the final layer of filler material.

Small engines are found in several types of machines, including motorcycles, motorboats, chainsaws and jet skis. Like larger engines, small engines require routine maintenance and inspection. The biggest difference is the size of the small engines.

Tools

Several common tools are required to work on small engines, including screwdrivers, wrenches and pliers. Specialized tools, including computerized analyzers, compression gauges and power tools, may be necessary for complicated small engine repairs. Other types of testing devices may also need to be used to locate parts of the engine that need to be repaired or replaced.

Routine Maintenance

Small engine routine maintenance involves a checklist of engine parts to be inspected, including electrical systems, brakes, carburetors, plugs and fuel injection systems. While some routine maintenance inspections reveal minor repair work that needs to be done, others identify more extensive repairs that can take several hours to complete.

Make Up

Small engines are comprised of many parts that are similar to large engine components, including cooling systems, engine fluids, drive systems and electrical systems. Drive systems including clutches, transmissions and drive trains are integral parts of a small engine and require regular inspection.