Method for repairing a rupture in a metal or plastic surface

A method for repairing a rupture in a metal or plastic surface in which opposing edges of said rupture are spaced at least 1/8 inch from each other comprising the steps of:

• (a) applying over said rupture a covering patch of metal or plastic sheet material of appropriate size and shape to cover the said rupture and to cover at least 1/2 inch of the area of said surface and adjacent to said rupture;
• (b) applying over the edge of said covering patch a layer of an alpha-cyanoacrylate being liquid at 20.degree. C. and having the formula CH.sub.2 .dbd.C(CN)--COOR wherein R is a hydrocarbon radical selected from the group consisting of aliphatic, aromatic and cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon groups of 1-10 carbon atoms and alkoxy, chloro and fluoro derivatives of said hydrocarbon groups in which alkoxy groups there are 1-4 carbon atoms therein, said layer covering the adjacent areas of said covering patch and said ruptured surface each for a distance of at least 1/4 inch from the edge of said covering patch and all around said patch;
• and
• (c) spreading on said layer of alpha-cyanoacrylate a layer of a powdered solid selected from the group consisting of (i) a compound having hydroxyl, carboxylate or both hydroxyl and carboxylate groups therein and (ii) rubber.