How To Guides
- How to undertake a professional quality repair of your PVC or Hypalon RIB, inflatable boat and SIB tubes
- How to clean inflatable boats, protect RIB collars, tubes and sponsons, clean Hypalon and PVC inflatable boat fabric
- How to find a leak in my inflatable boat, RIB, dinghy, life raft or inflatable kayak collar or tubes
- How to fit a replacement screw-in type inflatable boat, rigid inflatable boat (RIB) or dinghy inflation deflation valve
- How to fix or glue inflatable boat PVC fabric patches and accessories to Hypalon fabric RIB collars and tubes (and vice versa)
- How to identify the fabric of your RIB, inflatable boat, dinghy, life raft or inflatable kayak collar, tube or sponson. Hypalon or PVC?
- How to repair inflatable boat, RIB, RHIB, SIB and kayak collars, inflation tubes or sponsons
- How to replace a Leafield Marine A4 inflation/deflation valve older inflatable boats, RIBs, RHIBs and dinghies
- How to replace an inflatable boat valve
- How to service and/or fit a replacement diaphragm to the Alfons Haar type SF1 inflation valve
- How to service or repair the Leafield Marine A7 or B7 inflatable boat valve
- How to service or repair the Leafield Marine C7 inflatable boat valve
- How to clean your RIB with August Race products
- How to winterise and store inboard engines and outboard engines
- How to make an emergency repair using TEAR-AID® Type A to a Hypalon inflatable boat, RIB, raft and other Hypalon / rubber inflatable structures
- How to make an emergency repair using TEAR-AID® Type B to a PVC inflatable boat, RIB, raft and other PVC / vinyl structures
- How to check your lifejacket
- How to install a TRIB airCap HR
- How to install a TRIB airCap LF for Leafield Marine C7 & D7 valves
- How to store your inflatable boat over winter
- How to look after and maintain the ropes on your boat
RIBs & Inflatable Boats
Safety Data Sheets
Blog
How to Make an Emergency Repair using TEAR-AID Type B to a PVC Inflatable Boat, RIB, Raft and other PVC / Vinyl Structures
Use TEAR-AID® Type B for PVC emergency repairs. It can be applied in wet conditions and has approximately 50% of its adhesion on initial application. If there is any concern about safety or repair failure then only attempt the repair using adhesive and PVC material. TEAR-AID® Type B has a unique adhesive that resists oils in vinyl (PVC) that cause other adhesives to soften and turn gummy in sunlight.
After application TEAR-AID® Type B will work in temperatures from -25ºC to 85ºC.
Underwater/wet repairs:
When applying TEAR-AID® Type B underwater ensure the surface to be repaired is as clean as possible by scrubbing and cleaning an area larger than the patch. If the patch is to be partially above the waterline, clean the dry area with alcohol wipes and follow the dry application instructions for that part of the repair.
- Cut a patch to size allowing at least 40mm for the patch to extend beyond all edges of the tear/hole. Trim square corners into round corners to minimise them being caught and lifted during curing.
- Taking care not to foul the cut patch with your fingers, peel back 20mm of the paper backing.
- Carefully position the patch underwater with the paper backing still on and anchor the exposed 20mm edge ensuring the patch extends 40mm beyond all edges of the tear/hole.
- Slowly peel back the paper backing while carefully rubbing down with your fingers. DO NOT ALLOW THE PATCH TO WRINKLE. IT IS IMPORTANT TO SQUEEZE WATER OUT BETWEEN THE PATCH AND PVC using the plastic scraper, or perhaps a credit card, rubbing from the centre of patch outward in all directions firmly. DO NOT PICK AT THE PATCH. Full adhesion requires 24 hours.
Dry repairs:
For best results apply to a clean dry surface. Clean the surface to be repaired with an alcohol wipe, or if available 50/50 mixture of rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol and water. Before proceeding, make sure the surface to be repaired is dry. Ideally the surface temperature to be repaired should be 10ºC or warmer.
- Cut a patch to size allowing at least 40mm for the patch to extend beyond all edges of the tear/hole. Trim square corners into round corners to minimise them being caught and lifted during curing.
- Taking care not to foul the cut patch with your fingers, carefully peel back 20mm of the paper backing. Tearing the paper backing while stretching the edge of the patch will help separate the liner from the patch, especially when the patch has been cut into a small size.
- Carefully position the patch with the paper backing still on it and anchor the exposed 20mm edge ensuring the patch extends 40mm beyond all edges of the tear/hole. Slowly peel back the liner while carefully applying the patch over the tear/hole – take care to avoid air bubbles. Rub all edges to seal. Rub entire patch aggressively.
Heating TEAR-AID® Type B is an option but not normally needed. Heat will transform the good initial bond to an extremely high bond that would otherwise take 24 hours of curing time. After the patch is applied to the tear/hole, briefly heat using an industrial heat gun set to a temperature of approximately 175ºC. Heat time will vary depending on size of patch and the distance of the heat gun from the patch. As the adhesive hot melt occurs, the patch see-thru clarity may change and appear clearer. This is an indication of overheating and the heat should be removed. Allow the repair to cool before handling.
Please dispose of any used adhesive tubes and TEAR-AID® Type B responsibly and with consideration for the environment.
See our other ‘How To’ guides at https://www.ribstore.co.uk/pages/advice-information
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