Surface repair assembly including non-metallic repair patch

A method of using a surface repair patch together with a curable repair compound to repair a damaged portion of an exposed surface, the method comprising the steps of:

• selecting a repair patch of sufficient area to surround the damaged portion of the surface, the repair patch comprising a perforated sheet formed from a plastically deformable inelastic polymeric material, the sheet having a first side, a second side, and a plurality of openings extending from the first side to the second side of the sheet, the openings being arranged about the sheet so that a network of strips of polymeric material is formed, the strips being joined by an array of junctions, the strips capable of being plastically deformed in any direction so that the sheet may be shaped to correspond to the contour of the surface;
• shaping the repair patch to correspond to the contour of the surface;
• anchoring the repair patch to the surface so that the damaged portion of the surface is within the perimeter of the repair patch;
• spreading a curable repair compound over the repair patch so as to cover the repair patch and substantially fill up the plurality of openings;
• contouring the repair compound to the shape of the surface;
• and
• allowing the repair compound to cure.

A surface repair assembly for repairing a damaged portion of an exposed surface, the assembly comprising:

• a surface repair patch comprising a perforated sheet formed from a plastically deformable inelastic polymeric material, the sheet having a first side, a second side, and a plurality of openings extending from the first side to the second side of the sheet, the openings being arranged about the sheet so that a network of strips of polymeric material is formed, the strips being joined by an array of junctions, the strips capable of being plastically deformed in any direction so that the sheet may be shaped to correspond to the contour of the surface;
• and
• a curable repair compound,
• the curable repair compound being applied to the first side of the sheet so that the curable repair compound covers the sheet and substantially fills up and flows through the plurality of openings,
• the sheet having and adhesive applied to one side thereof, and
• said sheet having a thickness which provides said sheet with sufficient rigidity to render said sheet capable of spanning an opening in said damaged portion of said exposed surface with said compound carried by said sheet before the repair compound is cured, and said adhesive being capable holding said sheet and uncured compound in place over said opening.