GI Fire Resistant Repair Patches

After reading reviews (several places) on these patches, I was a little concerned about their permanence, and wanted to make absolutely sure that I was giving mine the best chance to adhere.

So, I contacted the manufacturer.

(In 2026) they informed me that this exact item is no longer manufactured -- and that the oldest ones still "out there" may have been made as long as 19 years ago.

No worries however -- they also reported to me that most current users report the patches still work just fine, having been sealed in airtight plastic pouches.

As for the "very best way" to make the patches stick, they offered the following:

THOROUGHLY launder and dry the garment (if you're not in the field).

While the directions (to press it in place and rub it at least 40 seconds with a large spoon) are sufficient, it's actually BETTER to iron the patch in place -- provided you have the iron on a lower/cooler setting and don't use it more than a few seconds. Too long or too hot (or both) can melt the adhesive and cause it to FLOW OUT from under the patch -- not good.

IMPORTANT: the patch is much more likely to stay put if you allow it to cool thoroughly, then leave it alone (if you can) for 24 hours.

I followed these directions "to the letter" and so far my patch remained exactly where I put it -- through three washings now.

Hope this helped ....

I needed to patch my FR clothes for work, and the best bang for your buck are these old ACU patches. Just like Uncle Sam used to give me!

Your equipment needs to have rips or holes to need to use these patches. My equipment has neither. I bought the patches just in case. They appear to be fine for their purpose.