Inflatable Boat Repair Tips
Mark out where your patch or accessory is to be glued, and use masking tape to tape off the area to avoid getting solvent or glue on other parts of your boat during the repair process.
When using small tins (0.25L), mix the entire tin with the dose of accelerator, as inaccurate measurement will weaken the glue. Once opened the accelerator cannot be kept. Do not try to save it.
Apply the glue with a paint brush with the bristles cut short (10-20mm), so that they are stiff. It must be natural hair, bound in metal not plastic, and preferably with a wooden or metal handle. Be careful not to get glue on areas of your boat besides the repair area.
Old glue must be completely removed - solvent, sandpaper, scraping, grinding with a Dremel tool. Glue will not stick to old glue. Clean it off thoroughly. Be careful not to burn or melt the fabric if using a Dremel tool. Constant motion with the tool will prevent this problem.
If your boat has ever been protected with ArmorAll® or another silicone or petroleum based product, you may have great difficulty getting a bond. Wipe the repair area well with solvent, follow the gluing instructions closely, and hope for the best.
Pinhole leaks in most Hypalon® or PVC boats may sometimes be repaired simply by use of either Seam Seal or Air Seal liquids. You might be able to avoid a patch on the boat.
To find tiny leaks, remove the floor boards and inflate the boat hard. Put some liquid detergent in a bucket of water and with rag or big wash brush, scrub it all over boat. Watch for tiny bubbles. When you find the first leak, keep looking. You might as well fix them all at the same time. Remember, the number one cause of slow leaks is a poorly seated valve. Unscrew, clean. Make sure the rubber O-rings are good. They are the cheapest repair possible.
When patching, cut patches 2.5cm to 5cm (1" to 2") larger than the tear in each direction and round the corners (a small coin makes a good template for the corners). Try to get the same fabric used by the manufacturer for your boat. If you can't match colours, sometimes a cleverly shaped patch in contrasting color can be made to look like decoration instead of a repair. Professionals often put one on each side in order to make it look like they came with the boat.
Inflate boat to apply accessories, before deflating to ensure adhesion. Deflate to patch air leaks, even if very small, as air pressure will bubble the patch before glue sets.
Do Not Smoke! Glues and solvents are flammable. No open flames.
Use in a well ventilated area. Fumes can be overwhelming. A carbon filter respirator is recommended. MEK solvent smells, but is relatively safe. It is recommended that you not use Toluene - the factories do but it is quite dangerous.
Accelerator, being an isocyanate product, is highly toxic. If spilled on on your skin WASH IMMEDIATELY with soap and water. If in your eyes, IMMEDIATELY FLUSH WITH WATER for at least 2 minutes and consult a physician.
Always wear safety equipment as recommended by the manufacturer of the glue, solvent, accelerator, etc.
NOTE: These instructions are offered to assist you in home use of glues. Because of the wide variety of conditions and critical procedures, we assume no responsibility for failure of glued bonds or any consequence thereof. We always recommend repairs be done by trained professionals.
