How to Fix Rips, Tears, & Other Damage to Indoor & Outdoor Canvas

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Discover how to patch holes, tears, and rips in art canvases

Co-authored by Shaelynn Haning

Last Updated: December 29, 2023 References

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Patching Holes in Art Canvas

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Patching Tears in Outdoor Canvas

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Fixing Other Outdoor Canvas Issues

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Expert Interview

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Q&A

It's easy to repair holes and tears in both indoor and outdoor canvas at home. Holes in art canvases can be patched up with acid-free glue and another piece of canvas. Once the patch is secure, you’ll be able to conceal the hole with paint on the front. Patches can be sewn on behind tears in outdoor canvas while adhesive patches will cover up small puncture holes. While you can repair split canvas seams with a flat-felled seam, leave any vinyl replacement work to the professionals.

Things You Should Know

Repair holes in an art canvas using a canvas patch and PVA glue. Weigh down the patch for 24 hours before painting over the damaged area on the front of the canvas.
Seal the frayed edges of synthetic outdoor canvas with a lighter or soldering iron. For natural canvas, use Fray Check or clear nail polish.
Fix holes in outdoor canvas by stitching a canvas patch in place.

Section 1 of 3:

Patching Holes in Art Canvas

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1
Lay the torn canvas face-down and smooth out the frayed edges. Prepare a clean, flat surface before laying your canvas down to protect the artwork itself. Adjust 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 back side of the canvas. ^{[1]
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- If these raw edges are left unattended, you might end up with a bumpy or frayed section on the front of the canvas.
2
Cut a patch measuring larger than the hole out of similar canvas. Try to match the weight and fiber content as closely as possible. If the canvas has exposed raw edges where it’s been stapled onto on the back side of the frame, use the thickness and texture of these raw edges for reference. Cut a rectangular patch measuring roughly 1 in (2.5 cm) larger on all sides than the hole. ^{[2]
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- If the original is a medium-weight linen canvas, for example, look for a linen canvas of a similar weight.
- If you’re not sure about the weight and fiber content of the canvas, bring the painting into an art supply store and ask a sales agent to help you find a suitable match.
- For a 2 in (5.1 cm) long rip with no real width, cut a patch measuring about 4 in (10 cm) long by 2 in (5.1 cm) wide. You’d widen the patch if the damaged area was more of an open hole than a narrow rip.
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3
Apply PVA glue to the canvas patch. It’s important to use acid-free adhesive to prevent damage 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 even layer. ^{[3]
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- If you prefer, you can use an iron-on adhesive 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 then iron it onto the back side of the artwork, using a press cloth to prevent the art canvas from scorching. ^{[4]
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4
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. Press it down firmly on all sides. Smooth out the patch with your hands to remove any air bubbles. ^{[5]
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- If the original art canvas doesn’t meet in the middle and you’re left with a hole, place some parchment paper underneath the artwork before gluing down the patch to prevent the glue from sticking to the work surface beneath it.
5
Leave a flat board and weight on top of the patched area for 24 hours. You’ll want the glued-on patch to dry as flat as possible, so you’ll need to weigh it down. Place a piece of stiff board or a block directly on top of the patched region. ^{[6]
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- Add a weight or heavy book on top to add some additional pressure.
- Allow the glue to dry for 24 hours before removing the board and weights.
6
Paint over the damaged area on the front of the canvas. Heavy-bodied paints like oils and acrylics will conceal the raw edges on the front of the painting. Using the same type 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 up layers of color gradually. ^{[7]
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- Allow it to dry completely and you shouldn’t be able to see the tear from the front of the canvas.
- Apply the paint in a moderately thick coat to adequately cover up the raw edges. But don’t smear it on so thickly that it’s noticeably different from the rest of the artwork.

Section 2 of 3:

Patching Tears in Outdoor Canvas

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1
Determine whether the canvas is synthetic or natural with a burn test. Find out whether your canvas 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 area and pick it up with metal tweezers. Hold it near a lit cigarette lighter or hot soldering iron.
- If the fiber melts and beads up, it’s synthetic. Therefore, it will be safe to seal off the frayed edges with heat. ^{[8]
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- If the fiber becomes ashy and disintegrates, it’s a natural fiber like cotton.
- Avoid bringing the canvas in contact with the lighter flame; the heat alone will melt it.
2
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 melt from the heat. Then slowly move along the tear to seal off all of the raw edges. ^{[9]
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- Be very careful not to light the canvas on fire and cause bigger repair problems!
3
Use clear nail polish or Fray Check to seal the raw edges of natural canvas. If you’re repairing canvas made of a natural fiber, apply a single coat of clear nail polish or Fray Check around the raw edges to seal them off. Allow the sealant to dry completely before adding the patch.
- The heat sealing method doesn’t work on cotton, linen, and other natural canvases since the fibers will disintegrate when exposed to the flame. ^{[10]
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4
Pin a canvas patch behind the tear. You can purchase a canvas repair kit for your project, or order a sufficient length of outdoor canvas online from a specialty manufacturer. Cut out a patch that measures 2 in (5.1 cm) wider than the tear on all sides. Use straight pins to hold the patch in place on the underside of the tear. ^{[11]
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- Choose a canvas in a similar color to the item you’re repairing. If you can’t get the exact color, choose a darker shade. Lighter patches will be more noticeable.
- For a tear measuring 5 in (13 cm) long by 2 in (5.1 cm) wide, cut a 9 in (23 cm) by 6 in (15 cm) patch.
5
Sew the patch in place using a machine straight stitch. Set your sewing machine up with a heavy-duty needle and durable, UV-resistant thread. Stitch around the perimeter of the patch with a straight stitch, adding backstitches at the beginning, end, and corners for extra durability. ^{[12]
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- Don’t hand-sew the patch. It may look untidy and won’t be as durable as a machine-sewn hem.
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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 down the tear on your machine. ^{[13]
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Research source} Alternatively, run a straight stitch around the outside edge of the hole to secure the loose fabric down.
- This is especially useful if the damaged area features a wide gash or a long cut and you’re left with loose flaps of canvas on top of the patch.
- When darning synthetic canvas that you’ve melted the edges of, be very careful as you work over the stiff melted areas. Go slowly or use the handwheel when you reach these spots to avoid breaking your needle.
EXPERT TIP

Shaelynn Haning
Professional Tailor & Business Owner
Shaelynn Haning is a Tailor & Business Owner based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Shaelynn is the founder of the highest-rated and most-reviewed alterations and tailoring service in Oklahoma, Tallgrass Tailor, employing a team of skilled craftsmen and women from across the country and the world. Shaelynn is a member of the State of Oklahoma Education Careers and Technologies Board and a member of both the Custom Tailors and Designers Association and the Association of Sewing and Design Professionals. She is the host of The Sew Show with Shae, an entertaining and educational sewing channel posting weekly videos on YouTube. Shaelynn earned her BS in Apparel Design and Product Development from Marist College.

Shaelynn Haning
Professional Tailor & Business Owner

Use a fabric patch and darning stitches to fix canvas. For patching holes in canvas, you can use the darning method. Put a scrap of matching fabric behind the hole as a patch. Use a washable fabric glue to hold it. Then do very close, short zigzag stitches over the hole in a matching thread. This makes the repair super strong and makes it look woven in or hand-done.

Section 3 of 3:

Fixing Other Outdoor Canvas Issues

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1
Place an adhesive canvas patch behind a small hole. Purchase a canvas repair kit or a specialty adhesive canvas patch. Clean off the damaged area with an alcohol wipe to remove any dirt and debris. Then cut the patch down to size, leaving it roughly 1 in (2.5 cm) larger than the hole on all sides. Peel off the backing and press the patch onto the canvas, smoothing it out to remove any air bubbles. ^{[14]
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- Any minor puncture or tear measuring less than 1 in (2.5 cm) can be repaired with an adhesive patch. For a round 1 in (2.5 cm) hole, cut a circular or square patch measuring 3 in (7.6 cm) across.
- The patch should have some stretch so it can move with the canvas.
- Opt for a clear patch if you can’t find one in a matching color.
2
Create a flat felled seam on a sewing machine when repairing a split seam . Set up your machine with a heavy-duty needle and durable, UV-resistant thread. ^{[15]
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Research source} Line up 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 allowance. 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 touch the stitches you just made. Pin or press these in place, then run 1 or 2 straight stitches over the seam allowance. ^{[16]
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- 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’s very important to use a durable needle and slow sewing speed since you’ll be going over 5 layers of fabric for the finishing stitches.
3
Hire a professional 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 you don’t need to replace the entire canvas. Sewing on a new piece of vinyl requires an industrial sewing machine and heavy-duty supplies, so for the best results, contact your local boating repair shop and ask if they can make this repair for you. ^{[17]
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- Getting vinyl windows replaced could save you about 70% over purchasing new canvas covers.
- Even if you notice a split in the seam between the vinyl window and the canvas, take it to a professional since the material will be too tough for a home sewing machine to handle. ^{[18]
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Community Q&A

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Question

Looks like a print on canvas. The images are very dark. Can it be lightened?

Community Answer

Depending on the type of inks used, you might be able to use a wash to lighten the entire canvas or provide a "burning in" effect to lighten one area by washing it. 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 hard to get the wash to stick. If the print hasn't been sealed, the thinner (even just water) for the wash might cause the print itself to run. If it is canvas, there might be an area on the side of the canvas, under the frame, where you can test some acrylic or other paints to see if they will stick and how stable the print is.

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How do I repair a scratched canvas painting?

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

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How do I restretch a canvas painting?

Jessica Barker

Community Answer

First, remove the staples from the back of the old stretcher to free the canvas. Place the new stretcher (which may be larger or smaller than the original) onto the back of the loose canvas. Make sure it's centered on the canvas, with the painting face-down. Fold the raw edges of the canvas over and around each side of the stretcher, and secure them in place with 1 staple in the middle on each side. Pull the canvas taut around the stretcher as you continue adding staples all along each side of the stretcher.

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Tips

If part of your outdoor canvas is completely shredded, it may be worth looking into a replacement before undertaking a complex repair on your own. Ask a professional for quotes for repairing and replacing the canvas so you can weigh your options.

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Prevent outdoor canvas damage by applying a spray-on waterproof canvas shield.

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