i have blown a hole in my slingshot fuel 2003 leading edge bladder.
is bike tube repair rubber suitable to patch it? or is it too thick?
thanks
greg

quote:

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Originally posted by cliffor123

i have blown a hole in my slingshot fuel 2003 leading edge bladder.
is bike tube repair rubber suitable to patch it? or is it too thick?
thanks
greg

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"Park Tools" brand is the manufacturer of all the patch kits sold with every brand of inflatable kite.
You should be able to get them at any decent bike shop for a few$$
They come in bigger sizes than what normally comes with a kite too.

For bigger splits tears and holes, you need a thermostatically controlled electric plastic bag heat sealer. With practice and good technique, it is possible to repair almost any bladder, regardless of the size of the hole.
I have repaired jagged splits over 300mm long. It is well worth the effort when you consider that an R4 18M bladder is $299!!!
Contact your local kite shop, see if they can do bladder repairs, even if you mail it and it takes week or so to be returned, it can save a kite that might not be worth spending $299 on?


Cya and

Goodwinds

Steve McCormack

Hi, I blew the end of my bladder and spent to many times trying to fix it. In the end i sent it to Moti Levy (advertises in kiteboarder magazine) I had it back within 3 days fixed for $bugger all. Understand that i sent it from Melbourne to tweed heads in three days. The guys a legend so top stuffing around and go kiting.

My early Wipika kites had more bladder problems than a bus full of pensioners on a winery tour!

An easier fix, than glue, is tape... but the stuff that comes in the repair kits isn't up to the job of big tears and I got sick of replacing it on small repairs; it doen't hold well enough and comes off after the kite has been packed a dozen times or so. So, better tape had to be found. McNett, makers of "Seam Grip", "Aquaseal" and other camping/hiking targeted adhesives, make a tape called "Tenacious"... and it is just that!

This stuff is the sh1t that doesn't come off the blanket! Be careful when you're placing it on the bladder; you wont get a second chance!!!

It is heavier than the tape that comes with most kites and a whole lot stickier... you may want to use some extra talc on the edges of the tape, once fixed to the bladder, to absorb the adhesive and ensure that it doesn't bind to the LE/rib cloth.

I bought some at "Rays Outdoors", should be available at other camping stores too, about $7.00 for 50cm x 7.5cm. It's pricey but cheaper than a new bladder.

If this reads like an advert for the stuff, cool, it's because I am really impressed with its' performance... inland kiting means rigging on grassed lake shores that seem to be always covered with thousands of sharp grass ends and thistle thorns... all I need now is an easier way of finding those tiny micro-holes that have stuffed more than the odd session.

quote:

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Originally posted by kk
[... Type B may be more suitable for bladders

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bladders are made of TPU, a Polyurethane, not vinyl so "Type A" would be far more suitable... use Type B for cheap air-beds, old car seats and inflatable girlfriends (at least that's what I was told by an old stickboarder)

It is much more flexible than the "Tenacious" I mentioned above.

Anyone know of a local dealer that sells short lengths?