Hypalon Fabric Raft Gluing Instructions

The most common problems with inflatable rafts occur due to excessive high pressure and heat and improper care in transportation. Tarp you raft when transporting it and frequently monitor pressure. Heat from the sun and the ground can drastically raise pressure and damage your raft. Recommended floor pressure – 1 to 1.5 PSI.

1. If possible the boat or tear should be moved to a clean, dry, flat area away from sunlight. Place an oar, or piece of wood under the area to be repaired to give a hard flat surface to work the patch against.
   
2. All repairs on the river should be made with bias (cut an angle to the base fabric to allow stretching) tape. Later you can cover the bias tape with colored material for cosmetic purposes.
   
3. If the tear is more than 2” long an inside patch should be applied first. This is more difficult than an outside patch, but will provide better air retention and insure the repair. Use bias tape for the inside patches also.
   
4. Mix the glue with catalyst in a plastic re-useable cup, stir with a tongue depressor. Inflatable glue and catalyst are pre-measured, so if you use ½ of the glue, use1/2 the catalyst; ¼ the glue, use ¼ the catalyst, ECT. Add a dropper of MEK to the mix if using Stabond. If using 2 part shore adhesive add Toluol.
   
5. Use the patch to trace around the area where it will be applied. For repairs on the hypalon surface. THOROUGHLY SAND THE HYPALON SURFACE FIRST! Both the patch and the repair surface.. Lightly brush off excess particles both the area and the patch. Using a paintbrush, apply a thin, even coat of glue mixture to both the area and the patch. DON’T MISS ANY SPOTS. Let dry ( about 20 minutes ). Apply a second thin, even coat to area and the patch.
   
6. Let the glue surfaces become tacky, starting on one edge, lay the patch over the area and press on it with your hand. Then, using the Pusher set a 45-degree angle, push across the patch area to remove all air and set the patch. Work the edge of the pusher along any ridges formed by underlying overlapped materials. If the glue surfaces dry before you can put them together, you can lightly wipe them with a damp cloth of MEK to reactivate, wait until tacky again, then apply. Or you can add a third, thin coat of glue.
   
7. Let the patch cure for 1 hour before use. Do not pump to full pressure for at least 12 hours!

Hints: Don’t glue an area much larger than the patch. Exposed glue will darken with age and make a sloppy looking raft and patch. Be careful with the inside patch and don’t glue the inside of the tube together. Take your time. A properly done patch is virtually impossible to remove without damage to the fabric. Don’t over use MEK or Toluol. Squeeze the excess out of your cheesecloth or towel before using. Do not clean the sandpaper ruffed up surface with Toluol or MEK brush lightly with your hand. Using the chemicals only flattens the surface you just ruffed up to get a good bond.

Caution: glue, catalyst, and solvent should be used in a well-vented area. Avoid contact with eyes and wounds. If ingested DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Contact a physician or poison control center.

If you do not know what your fabric is: Take a little MEK on a cloth and rub it in a small area of the fabric. If it gets stickey and soft you most likely have PVC. MEK will do nothing to hypalon. If you are bonding PVC to Hypalon you need both MEK and Toluol with Stabond glue.

In Zodiac boats If the air seams have about 2" bandage strip covering the joint, then it is the newer pvc based Strongan fabric, and the PVC glue Sta-bond essential. If the edges are just folded over it is hypalon based.

Shore Adhesive

Shore Adhesive

Stabond

Toluol Cleaner

MEK Solvent

Pusher A must have in any repair kit.

Emergency Repair Kit