2 posts
I am newbie in kiting. I am using 2 second hand kites. With both I am experiencing loosing significant pressure during practice. What are the repair options to eliminate this problem? Also what is the recommended pressure for inflation? Thanks for helping.
WA
76 posts
Could be worn valves or hole in bladder.
Pump up kite (7-8psi), lock the struts and let it sit for several minutes. Once you have determined the leak is from main bladder or struts then proceed to pull it out and repair accordingly. Plenty of how to on you tube.
A pool will make life easier. Good luck.
WA
398 posts
spray bottle with some soapy water will show up the leak
WA
1094 posts
Check it's not leaking from the valve plug's first using soapy water before you remove anything. The plugs can stretch the valves if they are not pulled Prior to storage.
If they're stretched they shrink again if placed in hot water
NSW
1716 posts
If you're using a kite with a screw in air inlet sand can get under the rubber washer. This, quite often, allows air to escape from the valve. Make sure this fitting is always clean and free of sand. Do it up real tight too. If this does not solve the problem possibly a hole somewhere.
Also, as a kite ages small amounts of sand can enter the inlet of outlet valves. The sand works its way to the wingtip and over time wears a hole in the end of the bladder. This a simple to repair but requires removal of the bladder and reinsertion. Usually a kite shop will do this at a price.
Early North kites had a problem where the strut valves which were stuck on with a glue that deteriorated with time began to peel off requiring replacement of all the valves with after market ones.
