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Repair of PVC-based inflatable boats

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You can make a minor repair of a boat in field conditions using a repair kit. But it is recommended to have it done in a workshop. You should always bring your boat to an authorized workshop to have major damages repaired by qualified experts. Please follow the directions below if you repair a boat yourself.

Repair of puncture

  1. Remove grease from an area of puncture and from a patch with the help of ethyl acetate. Let the surface dry completely.
  2. Apply a thin layer of adhesive from repair kit onto the surfaces and let it dry within 3-5 minutes.
  3. Apply a thin layer of adhesive from repair kit onto the surfaces repeatedly and let it dry within 3-10 minutes.
  4. Heat the surfaces up to the temperature slightly lower than 60Со. If you are in the field, heat the patch surface up with the help of a lighter during a few seconds (keep the lighter away from an inflatable boat). If you are at home, heat the both surfaces up with the heat gun.
  5. Press a patch down tightly to a damaged area of a boat and smooth it carefully with a tool (or any material at hand), paying attention to fringes. A tool should be wide enough with no sharp edges.

Allow an adhesive to cure for 12 hours in order to achieve a good result. It is not recommended to inflate a boat during this period of time. In case of emergency you may inflate a boat in one hour. Please note that reduction of curing time will affect quality and durability of adhesion.

Repair of cut and tear

You should repair cuts and tears at inner and outer sides of an inflatable boat. If the length of damage is more than 10 cm, you are strongly advised to bring your boat to an authorized workshop or to the manufacturer for proper maintenance. Repair of cuts and tears in field conditions is allowed only in case of emergency. Remember that the result will not be good.

  1. Make sure there is no water and litter inside of a damaged tube in the area of cut or tear.
  2. Prepare two patches 1 cm bigger in size than that of cut or tear (use one patch for inner and another patch for outer side of a tube).
  3. Remove grease from patches and from both sides of a damaged area with the help of ethyl acetate. Let the surfaces dry completely.
  4. Treat one of the patches and the inner surface of the damaged area as described in the chapter “Repair of puncture”, paragraphs 2 and 3.
  5. Heat the surfaces as described in the Chapter “Repair of puncture”, paragraph 4.
  6. Insert the patch carefully inside of the damaged area of the tube, flatten it and press it tightly to the inner surface of the tube. Smooth it carefully with a tool (or any material at hand), paying attention to fringes. A tool should be wide enough with no sharp edges.
  7. Leave a boat alone for 5 hours. If you have a time pressure, you can continue repair in 1 hour.
  8. Treat another patch and the outer surface of the damaged area as described in the chapter “Repair of puncture”, paragraphs 2 and 3.
  9. Heat the surfaces as described in the Chapter “Repair of puncture”, paragraph 4. 10. Apply the patch quickly and carefully, smooth and press it tightly to the surface. Smooth it carefully with a tool (or any material at hand), paying attention to fringes. A tool should be wide enough with no sharp edges.

Reminder: allow an adhesive to cure for 12 hours in order to achieve a good result. It is not recommended to inflate a boat during this period of time. In case of emergency you may inflate a boat in one hour. Please note that reduction of curing time will affect quality and durability of adhesion.

Replace of a valve

Inflation valves consist of two pieces, one screwed into another inside of the tube. In order to replace an outer valve you should unscrew it by the special wrench (not included) and replace it with the new one. The new valve should be screwed carefully to make sure there is no air leak. There is no need to replace a valve frequently: it is enough to clean it well and put it back into its place. (Sand particles and litter inside of a valve can deteriorate its work).

Please note the inner valve should be replaced or repaired in a qualified workshop. In order to replace it make an incision nearby to have access inside for proper repair. Glue the incision securely after replacement of the inner valve. (See the chapter “Repair of cut and tear”).

Attention!

Use ethyl acetate to dilute an adhesive or to remove it from the PVC surface. Never treat the PVC surface with sandpaper or other abrasive materials.

Use an appropriate adhesive for gluing from repair kit. If, for some reason, you do not have it, use only PVC friendly adhesives (Bonikol, Dismakol and other special adhesives). Adhesion can be made at any surrounding temperature.

Read user instructions carefully before applying an adhesive which does not belong to repair kit. You may also need to utilize Desmodur hardener (RC, RFE or RN). Prepare the mixture of adhesive and hardener before application, paying attention to proportion.

Remember: improper use or storage of a boat can cause the most critical damage.

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