Method of patching damaged sheet material

Method for repairing a damaged area in the surface of a body made of metal comprising the steps of:

• (1) exposing bare metal surface in the vicinity surrounding the damaged area to be repaired,
• (2) cleaning the bare metal surface,
• (3) providing a thin, corrosion-resistant patch consisting of a covering member having a face side, a back side, and an edge side bounded by the face side and the back side, said back side having a layer of adhesive coated thereon, said covering member having a thickness of from about 0.13 to about 0.46 mm, said layer of adhesive having a thickness of from about 0.05 to about 0.38 mm, said adhesive having a peel strength of at least 7 lb./in.,
• (4) applying said patch to the damaged surface, said back side of said patch being in contact with and adhering to the bare metal surface adjoining and surrounding the patch by means of said adhesive, and
• (5) applying flexible putty to the bare metal surface adjoining and surrounding the patch and abutting the edge side of the patch in an amount sufficient to obtain a smooth transition from the face side of the patch to the metal surface.