how do u fix a 'popped' kite?

> 10 years ago
Reply
Register to post, see what you've read, and subscribe to topics.
kitebored
kitebored
NSW
593 posts
NSW, 593 posts
2 Nov 2006 1:40pm
the other day i was launching a mate on my 8m liquid force kite and it popped..(bloody loud bang) i guess i pumped it to hard and the air expanded when it got hot??

anyway the damage is done, how do i fix it..

it has blown out right in the centre of the front edge. It blew right through the bladder and leading edge cloth on the strut side.. The kite is a few years old so i'm not looking at spending too much on it.
Awaken
Awaken
QLD
128 posts
QLD, 128 posts
2 Nov 2006 12:48pm
design fault
Hurley
Hurley
ACT
98 posts
ACT, 98 posts
2 Nov 2006 2:03pm
Call a sail maker to see if he can repair it. Thats the cheapest way.....but just make sure that they have worked on kites before!

Cheers
Al
kitebored
kitebored
NSW
593 posts
NSW, 593 posts
2 Nov 2006 2:11pm
ok, has anyone fixed a broken bladder before? i've heard u can buy them from the local kite shop? I assume sailmakers wouldn't have these lying around..?
poor relative
poor relative
WA
9106 posts
WA, 9106 posts
2 Nov 2006 11:18am
Bladders cost heaps, and are tough to find.
Best bet is find a local kite repair man who is recommended by others. Take the whole jolly lot along to them and get them to repair it.
Had a huge hole in my old LF LE and bladder, Kite Dr repaired all good as new for around 100 or it might have been a bit more.
kitebored
kitebored
NSW
593 posts
NSW, 593 posts
2 Nov 2006 9:28pm
any tips on how they would repair it? I figure i can patch a kite as good as the next guy.. the kite will be easy to fix, just the bladder.. is there some kind of glue and patch i can use, like a large version of a bike tyre repair..?
kitebored
kitebored
NSW
593 posts
NSW, 593 posts
3 Nov 2006 9:48am
thats great info, cheers
Hurley
Hurley
ACT
98 posts
ACT, 98 posts
3 Nov 2006 12:21pm
just order a bladder in and get the leading edge repaired at a sailmaker - done and done
GalahOnTheBay
GalahOnTheBay
NSW
4188 posts
NSW, 4188 posts
3 Nov 2006 5:31pm
just remeber it's like a cherry though - once it's popped it is never the same again...
jquigley
jquigley
WA
205 posts
WA, 205 posts
3 Nov 2006 4:19pm
I had to repair the bladder in my Cabrina when the ends popped out. I took it to a kite shop and they used a welder thingy to fix it. These are commonly used to seal plastic packaging simply by using a induction heater and pressure to fuse the plasic together. The bladders are latex I think and the next time mine burst (other end) I just used the iron, got the temperature just right - not too hot - and with plenty of pressure on the edge of the iron made a nice weld. Still going strong a year later.

Also fixed the cause of the ends popping out which was caused by the bladder creeping in to the centre of the leading edge leaving a void for the ends to expand into and burst.

Good luck with it.
ramsayj
ramsayj
WA
8 posts
WA, 8 posts
4 Nov 2006 10:15am
Give Motti Levi a ring. Haven't got his number to hand but someone will and I think he also advertises in kiteboarder magazine. He is based nr byron but will generally do repairs by return post (or near as) and it always end up being less expensive than expected. have tried using sailmakers before and always ends up being more expensive for a kite that doesn't fly right. will try and find number.
brucex
brucex
QLD
701 posts
QLD, 701 posts
4 Nov 2006 1:14pm
use moti his work and service is awesome- i have sent about 6 kites to him all good
Please Register, or first...
Topics Subscribe Reply