How repair an inflatable boat puncture - best practice

[@Sam-ty4rp]

Excellent... best video I have seen yet on this subject.
Good work m8

[@yehudabendavid4836]

I want to replace and renew all the Hyperlon in my boat. You are doing such a job

[@ahmedjelidi135]

شكرا thank you

[@bradecky]

Thank you for your reply. I have begun the hunt for 2 pcs. Of Rubbing Strake Thanks, Rad

[@nickcoudounellis2020]

I had a small hole in my inflatable boat over a year ago. I repaired the hole using a $2 bicycle tire repair kit. A year later there are no traces of air leaking from the repair I did. I think that if there is only a small leak in your inflatable boat there is no need to waste your money on expensive glues and patches. It worked for me so I can't see why it won't work for anyone else

[@HubbHubbs]

True, if it works it works

[@bebeslife4519]

How does it stand up to the deflation and folding? I have an inexpensive HydroForce boat that I think has a leak. I need to locate it first

[@hntrains2]

@@bebeslife4519, use soapy water to locate the leak; then, apply the patch (the one included in the repair kit which came with the boat). If you apply the patch when the boat is inflated, which is the way to go (it's also generally easier), and you keep the boat inflated long enough for the glue to dry completely and settle, the patch will be fine no matter how many times you will inflate and deflate the boat thereafter.

[@bebeslife4519]

@@hntrains2 Thanks. I eventually solved it another way. It was a really slow leak and it wouldn’t be noticeable until 3-4 days fully inflated. I didn’t think I would have much luck finding it with soapy water. I put a good amount of tire slime in the chamber. I’ve had lots of luck using it in bike tires, and wagon tires, tubed and tubeless. This worked and it doesn’t seem to loose air at all. Been about 5 months but have last had it inflated about 3 months ago.

[@hntrains2]

@@bebeslife4519, good to hear that!

[@danielweeks3723]

I don't use tape, but trace the patch out on the boat, lightly sand both surfaces(seems to grab better than using mek and go with 3 thin coats glue. With larger leaks go with no pressure in chamber. Doc(30+ years pro experience)

[@TRUEKITINFLATABLES]

We would recommend sanding hypalon but not pvc but each pro uses a slightly different method. The solvent we use is stronger than MEK and does a better job of dulling and priming the surface

[@danielweeks3723]

@@TRUEKITINFLATABLES Definitely have to use a different technique "sanding pvc with electric tools. Tried both ways nd I still favor sanding, but the MEk way is certainly easier At take out the other day Mandy called me over to her boat. Everything was coming off tri d/handles, top chafe wrinkling, etc on her Rocky Mountain Raft,.
i said to her I, I don't know if it matters but the builders don't abraid surfaces to be glued and but I always do. She looked down and pointed to the footcups I had put in 10 years ago when the raft was new(I had forgotten I had done those) and said," I think it does". Not a corner or edge of any of the 6 cups were up. Not proof, I know, but it made me feel good.

[@5UPRAH]

Great video. Very helpful. Thank you.

[@TRUEKITINFLATABLES]

You're welcome!

[@loreleiwhitcombe6371]

Very good information. Thank you.

[@hntrains2]

That looks cool.
At the same time, it is over-complicated. Both when on the river (i.e., no time or patience to idle as well as improper general conditions) and when at home (i.e., lots of time on my hands and all the other conditions, just perfect), I use a type of glue which does not require anything but a clean and dry surface and no heating.
In half an hour, the boat can be put back on the water.
If you use a self-adhesive patch, you can be back on the water in three to five minutes.
If the patch is applied well, it will stay on the boat and do the job it is meant to do for all the life the boat has left.

[@abner09161992]

where can i buy those patches?

[@kodiham7532]

I call BS

[@bertbigballs]

Many Thanks, very informative, I'll give it a go!

[@mnnchalaybysamarirfan9978]

Great ....I also patched my rubber boat in a simple way 😊

[@WillChil466]

To d instructions qnd picture. Best vid I doc oe for jd.
I have q canoecand the simple waybI did it did notvwork! tried 3 kinds of glue. Will try w a dryer and pressing with a roller and doing teicky strip in seam with a crevice tool. Thank u .

[@fossilfuel71]

Good information. Thank you very much.

[@adrianlemcke7277]

Thanks. Very helpfull

[@JohnBobRoger]

Nicely done...!

[@terrysmith7740]

These boats do look good. If the weather is very hot, (Australia) can the glue on any patch loosen and come off if it has been sitting in the open before use?

[@gokusupersaiya8067]

so u have to glue in antartica

[@jakeb1778]

I know mek softens pvc and prvidrs a better bond. Are there concerns that this will weaken the fabric?

[@Xilumenu]

Great video.. And I can not stoo myself wondering.. What is that beauty (boat) in the back? (brand/model). Thank you, sir!

[@allanmcdougall]

Thankyou for this well made video I cant find MEK locally but would isopropyl alcohol be a suitable cleaner? have heard it recommended elsewhere Allan

[@anitarajput11]

Amazing

[@mattschaal5578]

How much pressure is in the boat for this work?

[@P.S.009]

How are you repairing it while it's inflated?

[@ericfleury3147]

I've tried 3 times fixing mine with commercial kits... About to give it a viking funeral.

[@cryptocanuck1537]

I've got a leak on the corner of my floor...can you do a video on that?

[@ehabmourad2326]

You are really a professional person. Can you send me the type of glue and how to use it, I will be thankful

[@TRUEKITINFLATABLES]

You can check out a blog post on the home page of our website about repairing inflatables which has all the details

[@mightybrownmouse8411]

You had said: If you are using a lower tack adhesive, it will probably be best to do the repair with no air in the tube.
In this case, how do you stop the glue from sticking to the other side of the material? I am planning to use gorilla super glue for repairs to my intex challenger kayak, would that glue be ok? I had a wooden splint puncture and the tape alone does not stop the air from seeping through hence I think I will have to apply glue direct to the puncture.

[@TRUEKITINFLATABLES]

If the hole is so big that you are worried about the glue going through, you can apply a patch on the inside also. If it is only small just patch outside in a deflated state, them after it has been applied fill the tube with a little bit of air, enough to separate the 2 sides of the tube. I would recommend to use a pvc glue for your kayak but you have to use what you can get your hands on

[@mightybrownmouse8411]

@@TRUEKITINFLATABLES Thank you so much, I will give it a shot but when I do search online on Bunnings pvc glue shows only cement solvent and pvc welding cement. Would you be able to recommend a brand? Loved your video with clear instructions. Take care and stay well.

[@lmfa007]

Hi there, obviously the boat needs to be inflated when repairing the leak, but how do you prevent the air coming out under the patch while the glue dries?

[@roddawson3855]

If you use a high tack quality adhesive and have reasonably low pressure in the tube you wont have any problems. If you are using a lower tack adhesive, it will probably be best to do the repair with no air in the tube.

[@caseyjones7404]

3m 4200 is the best product known to man. 7ys in business tells me so

[@davideldred.campingwilder6481]

That would depend on the size of the hole/split. This was a small repair and over a seam. It probably did work, but generally speaking, you'd (When patching over a seam) widen the hole, put a patch in behind the hole, and then (Whenever the glue is fully dried) re-inflate the tube and apply the patch the way the man did. You can, by all means, do repairs with deflated tubes. Plus, when applying pressure to the patch using a spatula, a semi inflated tube will cause ripples in the patch, so not a good idea. Also, using heat to take off a patch is (Okay) but you can also use solvents to loosen the glue. In fact, on many plastic/rubber boats, this is the only option...

[@danielweeks3723]

No the obvious is not obvious. Try that with an inside patch or a boot replacement.

[@viggob4816]

Thank you for showing this. Is this Valmex fabric a rubber or PVC based product? It seems, that you show 3 substances from start, but I only see you use two. Do you need to leave the boat to make the glue cure, or is it ready to use after your repair?

[@TRUEKITINFLATABLES]

Hi Viggo, it is PVC based fabric. For more information please refer to - truekit.net/pages/technical-information

[@stevewhelan3770]

how "pumped" up do you have the dinghy?

[@amarobarcosboat]

Infláveis melhores botes

[@bradecky]

Where can I purchase the " ribbed " added on material that was placed on the very bottom of the tube. Thank you. Rad

[@fastasfox]

Your looking for rubbing strake.

[@MrRobinski]

Will the bostic glue also work on gluing the plastic/ rubber nose cones and transom to the pvc material? Thanks

[@TRUEKITINFLATABLES]

Yes it will work but needs to be primed first correctly

[@MrRobinski]

@@TRUEKITINFLATABLES Thanks, how do you prime it correctly please, and what to use?

[@danielweeks3723]

Do not use Bostic for this . For rubber or hyp to pvc use vinyl glue. If bonding to wood I use 1 or 2 extra coats on the wood.

[@mauriciogonzalez6302]

I’m from the US. Just curious if you can tell me what the bottom (black part) of the raft is made of? If the raft is made of pvc will the bottom also be pvc (or another material like rubber)?

[@TRUEKITINFLATABLES]

The protective rubbing strip is rubber

[@danielweeks3723]

@@TRUEKITINFLATABLES Funny on an Avon that's the only plastic piece and the only piece that tends to come off(and the id#, also on plastic because hyp glue was used when I put them back on vinyl glue is used to stick the plastic "rubstrake" to the hyp tube.

[@michaelmontoya2788]

What’s that rubber rectangle strip that you have on the right and left bottom of the boat?

[@freshsaltyfries5078]

Can you explain how to measure and mix the 2 part mix? I’m adding a strike to my bottom of inflatable boat and there is poly marine 2 part not sure how to mix the two any tips would appreciate it

[@TRUEKITINFLATABLES]

This might help -truekit.net/blogs/news/how-to-repair-your-inflatable-boat

[@maldrury8313]

How long would it have taken for the tube to deflate if the puncture was not not repaired? ie if this happened on the water would you have time to make it back to shore? Can you do a temporary repair on the water? I am interested in a Tactician for fishing but am a bit concerned about possible punctures. Thanks

[@TRUEKITINFLATABLES]

Any inflatable product is capable of being punctured so you need to take common sense precautions like using a net and dropping fish into a fish bin. Our boats are used for fishing everyday with few problems. All True Kit boats have multiple chambers as a safety measure. You wouldn't use this procedure out on the water, you would do a temporary repair using a one pot glue and do it this way when you had the time and access to materials to do a permanent repair.

[@maldrury8313]

@@TRUEKITINFLATABLES Thanks for your reply.

[@danielweeks3723]

Tear-Aid is the answer. Carry it on every tip. No glue needed.

[@michaelraymount4108]

You do this with air still in the tube, wouldn't air be getting under the patch as your doing this, causing an issue?

[@TRUEKITINFLATABLES]

It gives a smoother patch but always let the air out straight after the patch is applied to prevent back pressure. I might have forgotten to include in the video. Alternatively you can do it in a deflated state but sometimes it can make it harder to get into some areas depending on where it is

[@Dygo784]

Where can i buy boat patches?

[@2musiclover534]

How hot is your heat gun? Would a hair dryer on high work? Thanks.

[@TRUEKITINFLATABLES]

A hair dryer is fine, you are just warming up the glue so it will be hot enough

[@2musiclover534]

@@TRUEKITINFLATABLES thanks! That was quick. 😁

[@shawngirvasis]

What is the material used?

[@TRUEKITINFLATABLES]

Valmex by Mehler

[@LesaventuresdelEtoileFilante]

What is the heating temperature max ?

[@TRUEKITINFLATABLES]

Only just enough to warm and activate the glue, no more. Definitely not so the glue blisters

[@UTDAsia]

Good video and informative. Which will you recommend for PVC Inflatable boat repair? Bostik Ultragrip 777 or 999HR?

[@roddawson3855]

Unigrip 999HR

[@danielweeks3723]

Any decent vinyl glue is good, It's not the glue that causes repairs to fail(okay is it's not pipe glue, or Elmers or JB Weld, etc.) Helps to have someone there who's good at it when it's your 1st time. I use Clifton or Staybond. Clifton Hyp fpr hypalon. Bostic works well for hyp, but is much too thick-thin with Toluene to a little thicker than pancake syrup.

[@gregalc2713]

Thanks so much for your video. I'm in the U.S.A can you tell me what brand or type of glue and solvents I should use. I would really appreciate it. Thanks 👍

[@TRUEKITINFLATABLES]

You will have to check and see what is available but Polymarine have a 2-part adhesive available in most places

[@nickcoudounellis2020]

I repaired my inflatable boat over a year ago using a $2 bicycle tire puncture repair kit. To this day it hasn't leaked

[@dap5790]

What did the previous person do that was wrong? Not clean / prep the surface properly?

[@TRUEKITINFLATABLES]

Yes correct, not cleaned and prepped properly to allow a good bond. Often this is the way though when you are out in the field so it is best to do a proper repair when you get back home in the garage.

[@danielweeks3723]

@@TRUEKITINFLATABLES And it's not much fun going behind someone who really heaped on the glue.

[@onelinesong4203]

Dont you need to deflate the boat ?

[@TRUEKITINFLATABLES]

If it is a decent size puncture you should deflate the boat for bonding. Small nicks like this one you can get a smoother finish in a low pressure inflated state (you don't want high pressure in the tubes)

[@murraywarwick6126]

How much would you charge for a fix like this?

[@TRUEKITINFLATABLES]

All depends on size, how many holes, has the customer found and identified the holes or do we need to. Not too much but also most people are capable to fix themselves

[@danielweeks3723]

$15, but I start with a $30 or $60 handling/trouble shooting charge.

[@musaalgheriany8917]

✔

[@Maljehani]

zooming in Work area