08-23-2010, 11:46 PM
[cool][#0000ff]Yes, electrical tape WILL make a satisfactory TEMPORARY repair...for pinhole leaks. Almost anything you put between the bladder and the cover that will hold in place and stanch the flow of bubbles will keep you afloat longer. Kinda like a compression bandage over a wound. Not a permanent fix but will hold things together until a better repair can be made.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Actually, I have had reports of a couple of desperation repairs being made on trips using plain old duct tape. Yeah, really. But if you are going to use that stuff I would recommend carrying some wet wipes (KFC extras) to be sure the surface of the bladder is squeeky clean before you stick anything to it. Again, it almost HAS to hold the air in well enough to finish a trip.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I am always leery of the "repair kits" supplied by inflatable manufacturers. Some work but most are touchy when it comes to proper application and curing time. Too easy to botch a hurried repair and still have a leak. And, if volatile liquids are involved you just know that when you finally need the repair kit the goo will all be concrete. Not good. Sure used to work that way for patching the old inner tubes. Buy a brand new repair kit but not use it for a few months. Then you get a leak and the adhesive is all dried up. Bummer.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Fabric covers are another matter. Best to go inside and use something like Gorilla Tape to cover the opening on the inside. Then come outside and work in a small amount of Aquaseal...just enough to wet the fibers. Keep pressing it into place and flattening it as the stuff cures. Once the light patch is cured...and mostly flat...with no protruding fibers...then you can glob on a thicker patch. Be sure it is sitting absolutely flat and work the liquid Aquaseal out away from the tear so that it forms a thin but strong patch about a half inch on each side of the tear. Once that sets up it will be clear and the damage will be less visible. More importantly it will not be subject to further tearing.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]My experience has been that Aquaseal does indeed form a good wear-resistant patch that holds up to some pretty tough abrasion. Too bad it is so expensive. Might be cool to topcoat your whole craft with it.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I haven't personally had any experience with the bladderless craft. I love the concept but am turned off by the bulk. Hard to fold them neatly for transport or storage and when you have two tubers in one vehicle the space is at a premium. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The upside of the bladderless systems are that they are not as subject to pinhole leaks...and some are self sealing. The downside is that they need some special attention when a leak develops on a seam or from a cut or tear in the outside cover. Still waiting for feedback on that issue my own self.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Actually, I have had reports of a couple of desperation repairs being made on trips using plain old duct tape. Yeah, really. But if you are going to use that stuff I would recommend carrying some wet wipes (KFC extras) to be sure the surface of the bladder is squeeky clean before you stick anything to it. Again, it almost HAS to hold the air in well enough to finish a trip.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I am always leery of the "repair kits" supplied by inflatable manufacturers. Some work but most are touchy when it comes to proper application and curing time. Too easy to botch a hurried repair and still have a leak. And, if volatile liquids are involved you just know that when you finally need the repair kit the goo will all be concrete. Not good. Sure used to work that way for patching the old inner tubes. Buy a brand new repair kit but not use it for a few months. Then you get a leak and the adhesive is all dried up. Bummer.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Fabric covers are another matter. Best to go inside and use something like Gorilla Tape to cover the opening on the inside. Then come outside and work in a small amount of Aquaseal...just enough to wet the fibers. Keep pressing it into place and flattening it as the stuff cures. Once the light patch is cured...and mostly flat...with no protruding fibers...then you can glob on a thicker patch. Be sure it is sitting absolutely flat and work the liquid Aquaseal out away from the tear so that it forms a thin but strong patch about a half inch on each side of the tear. Once that sets up it will be clear and the damage will be less visible. More importantly it will not be subject to further tearing.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]My experience has been that Aquaseal does indeed form a good wear-resistant patch that holds up to some pretty tough abrasion. Too bad it is so expensive. Might be cool to topcoat your whole craft with it.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I haven't personally had any experience with the bladderless craft. I love the concept but am turned off by the bulk. Hard to fold them neatly for transport or storage and when you have two tubers in one vehicle the space is at a premium. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The upside of the bladderless systems are that they are not as subject to pinhole leaks...and some are self sealing. The downside is that they need some special attention when a leak develops on a seam or from a cut or tear in the outside cover. Still waiting for feedback on that issue my own self.[/#0000ff]
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