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Posts Tagged ‘inflatable boat repair information’
You can easily repair your inflatable boat and its minor punctures (1cm or less), be it either in Hypalon or in Strongan/PVC fabric. Read basic repair instructions below, but when performing simple repairs follow the instructions in your owner’s manual. Always use safety equipment. Seek a professional repair station for complete details, instructions and materials.
For larger repairs, consult your authorized dealer.
To know the fabric of your inflatable boat, check the buoyancy tube’s vertical seams. Since about 1985, most ZODIAC boats are made in Strongan/PVC fabric.
HAND-GLUED SEAMS = HYPALON FABRIC
Traditional assembly method for hypalon fabric. The 2 panels are glued, one covering the other. You will only see part of fabric that covers the other section.
THERMOBONDED SEAMS = STRONGAN FABRIC
Robotized hot assembly technique: two layers of fabric are welded between an exterior reinforcement band and an interior airtight band. What you see is the exterior band, with 2 borders.
REPAIR KIT
Cleaning:
- Hypalon fabric: rough the material with the pumice stone provided (never use solvent)
- Strongan fabric: Grease remover of the MEK or acetone type. Use safety equipment.
Repairing:
- Fabric patch (use correct fabric for your boat)
- Tube of special glue, ready for use: check with your dealer that you use the suitable glue
- Small paint brush
CONDITIONS NECESSARY FOR A SUCCESSFUL REPAIR
- Relative humidity less that 60%
- Temperature between 18 and 25°C (64.4 and 77°F)
- Avoid carrying out repairs in direct sunlight or rain
- Check that the buoyancy tube is fully deflated and lies flat
PREPARATION
- Cut out a round patch at least 5 cm larger than the hole or cut to be repaired
- Draw around the shape of the patch exactly where it will be applied on the boat
- Clean the damaged part of the boat and the corresponding side of the patch
- Strongan fabric: with a grease remover of the alcohol type
- Hypalon fabric: with the pumice stone only
- Allow to dry for 5 minutes
GLUING
- Apply 3 thin layers of glue on both the patch and the roughened area on the boat and let dry for 5 to 10 minutes between each layer until tacky
PUTTING ON THE PATCH
- When the 3rd layer is dry, apply the patch without pressing and adjust the position if required
- Press out the air bubbles which may have formed under the patch
- Smooth the patch with a round object (ie: a spoon) starting from the center of the patch and working out
- Clean the excess glue with a solvent
USE OF BOAT AFTER REPAIR
- Do not expose the repair to sun or rain until cured
- Let dry and cure for 24 hours before inflating
CAUTION !
When using the glue :
- Carefully replace the cap on the tube of glue. If properly sealed, it keeps well.
- Do not leave the tube in the sun or next to heat sources or direct flames.
- Check that the room is properly ventilated, avoid inhaling or ingesting the glue, and avoid its contact with your skin
NOTE: FOR MAJOR REPAIRS, TAKE YOUR BOAT TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO CAN PERFORM AFTER SALES SERVICE
For repair products, click here.
View inflatable boat products, accessories and other innovative boat and marine products here.
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You can easily repair your inflatable kayak and its minor punctures (1cm or less), be it either in Hypalon or in Strongan/PVC fabric. Read basic repair instructions below, but when performing simple repairs follow the instructions in your owner’s manual. Always use safety equipment. Seek a professional repair station for complete details, instructions and materials.
For larger repairs, consult your authorized dealer.
To know the fabric of your inflatable kayak, check the buoyancy tube’s vertical seams or contact your local seller/dealer.
HAND-GLUED SEAMS = HYPALON FABRIC
Traditional assembly method for hypalon fabric. The 2 panels are glued, one covering the other. You will only see part of fabric that covers the other section.
THERMOBONDED SEAMS = STRONGAN FABRIC
Robotized hot assembly technique: two layers of fabric are welded between an exterior reinforcement band and an interior airtight band. What you see is the exterior band, with 2 borders.
REPAIR KIT
Cleaning:
- Hypalon fabric: rough the material with the pumice stone provided (never use solvent)
- Strongan fabric: Grease remover of the MEK or acetone type. Use safety equipment.
Repairing:
- Fabric patch (use correct fabric for your boat)
- Tube of special glue, ready for use: check with your dealer that you use the suitable glue
- Small paint brush
CONDITIONS NECESSARY FOR A SUCCESSFUL REPAIR
- Relative humidity less that 60%
- Temperature between 18 and 25°C (64.4 and 77°F)
- Avoid carrying out repairs in direct sunlight or rain
- Check that the buoyancy tube is fully deflated and lies flat
PREPARATION
- Cut out a round patch at least 5 cm larger than the hole or cut to be repaired
- Draw around the shape of the patch exactly where it will be applied on the boat
- Clean the damaged part of the boat and the corresponding side of the patch
- Strongan fabric: with a grease remover of the alcohol type
- Hypalon fabric: with the pumice stone only
- Allow to dry for 5 minutes
GLUING
- Apply 3 thin layers of glue on both the patch and the roughened area on the boat and let dry for 5 to 10 minutes between each layer until tacky
PUTTING ON THE PATCH
- When the 3rd layer is dry, apply the patch without pressing and adjust the position if required
- Press out the air bubbles which may have formed under the patch
- Smooth the patch with a round object (ie: a spoon) starting from the center of the patch and working out
- Clean the excess glue with a solvent
USE OF BOAT AFTER REPAIR
- Do not expose the repair to sun or rain until cured
- Let dry and cure for 24 hours before inflating
CAUTION !
When using the glue :
- Carefully replace the cap on the tube of glue. If properly sealed, it keeps well.
- Do not leave the tube in the sun or next to heat sources or direct flames.
- Check that the room is properly ventilated, avoid inhaling or ingesting the glue, and avoid its contact with your skin
NOTE: FOR MAJOR REPAIRS, TAKE YOUR KAYAK TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO CAN PERFORM AFTER SALES SERVICE
View inflatable kayak products, accessories and other innovative boat and marine products here.
Inflatable Boat Basic Repair Information and Procedures
posted by The Captain @ 11:06 AM
Thursday, October 20, 2011
If you are attempting to repair small rips or holes, or even adding small accessories to your inflatable boat; it is important to follow factory gluing instructions closely.
Rips or holes larger than one inch in the air chamber or within two inches of a seam should be repaired with internal and external patches by a professional repair technician at a certified repair facility. A quick patch repair may solve your problem for a short period of time, but we recommend you have it redone by a professional.
We recommend that major repairs and the addition of large accessories such as oar locks, seating or towing rings be done by a professional repair technician at a certified repair facility.
If your boat is still under warranty and you are experiencing a seam failure the wooden transom separating from the molded transom flanges or tubeset; or the fabric is turning yellow and sticky, call your dealer immediately. Defective seams or sticky fabric result in complete warranty coverage and you may receive a new boat for free or at a small prorated fee.
If you plan to attempt a small repair, click here for repair kit information, glue and more.
View inflatable boat products, accessories and other innovative boat and marine products here.
What Type Of Fabric Is My Inflatable Boat Made Of?
posted by The Captain @ 10:58 AM
Thursday, October 6, 2011
This is an important question that we are asked almost daily.
One of the major components of repairing or painting your inflatable boat is knowing which type of fabric it is made of. This is important to know as there are different preparation methods that need to be completed before painting or repairing your inflatable boat.
Traditionally hypalon fabric is assembled using hand glued seams. The 2 panels are glued, one overlapping the other. A good indicator that your inflatable boat is made of hypalon fabric is by scratching the fabric with your nail. If a scratch mark appears, your inflatable boat fabric is most likely made of hypalon fabric. You might also notice dried glue (browned from the sun) or small areas that are lifting and coming unglued.
PVC Fabric: (also known as Strogan Fabric)
PVC fabric is typically assembled using the Robotized hot assembly technique; where by two fabrics are “heat welded” between an exterior reinforcement band and an interior airtight band. What you end up seeing is the exterior band, with 2 boarders.
Most PVC boats have some areas that are also glued on. These areas are often found around the transom, sometimes the floor and some small parts and handles too.
The basic difference between boat manufacturer’s fabric is the chemical composition of the materials used. This of course is a big factor when repairing your inflatable boat, as the two fabrics require different preparation before the glue adhesive can be applied. The two fabrics also require different glues for their repair process, making this information important to know before making your repair.
You may also be interested in:
Inflatable boat repair information and procedures
For more information on the different types of fabric: click here
View inflatable boat products, accessories and other innovative boat and marine products here.