Once upon a time, a torn balloon could seriously ruin your mood. There was a problem with spares. Now it's simple, if you don't have some exclusive kite, you just call the dealer and order, most likely they have some stock in stock. If you need one new cylinder, then it’s easier to take the whole set, it will be cheaper and you’ll have some left over in reserve. Since instead of a torn one you can insert a larger cylinder.
In the case where the cylinder is simply poisoning a little, it is logical to try to save money by repairing it. First, you need to find a puncture; to do this, take out the cylinder (how to do this is outlined in the instructions for the kite). To make it easier to insert back, tie a sling to the pip. If you do not have an assistant, you can replace him by tying the other end of the balloon.
When you insert the repaired balloon, do not skimp on talc so that it expands better during inflation.
If you are inserting a transverse balloon, tuck the front part inward to avoid creases when inflating, otherwise the balloon may burst.
When inflating the balloon for the first time, take your time; if a twist is detected, try to straighten it by smoothing it with your hands. If it doesn't work, take it out and reinsert it, otherwise the balloon may burst.
There are several repair methods, it all depends on the damage.
When I tore my first kite and the center tank exploded, the first thing that came to mind was to seal it up. To glue, you need to at least understand what the balloon is made of.
A variety of inflatable rings and mattresses are made from PWC, although later one familiar chemist clearly proved that this is not so (chlorine gives a green glow, but it does not exist if you set fire to the film of the balloon; PWC is polyvinyl chloride). But rem. Inflatable kits are quite suitable.
Sealing cylinders takes a lot of time and great experience, if you overdo it with glue, the film of the cylinder simply corrodes, and it wrinkles; patches made from PWC film are very different in thickness from the film of the cylinders. So, upon completion of the repair, the cylinder is quite deformed.
But, because it's the easiest affordable way, you won’t be able to forget about him.
There are many PWC adhesives sold at the hardware store. There are ready-made repairs. kits for inflatable products. They are immediately equipped with patches made of PWC film. When gluing, it is very important to degrease the surface thoroughly. It wouldn't hurt to rinse fresh water, if you ride on the sea.
Dry, grease-free surfaces are ready for gluing. For the patch, it is better to use PWC film than to cut it from an old cylinder. Apply glue to the cut-out patch; prepare for the fact that when the glue begins to dissolve the film, it will begin to curl. There is no need to apply glue to the cylinder being repaired; the film is very thin and the glue strongly corrodes it. Press the patch with glue onto the surface to be repaired.
In short, gluing cylinders is still a pleasure. The only case when you can’t do without glue is when the nipple of the balloon comes off. In all others there is more simple solutions.
But if you have to glue, then remember that you should always apply glue only to the patch or nipple, but not to the film of the balloon, having first cleaned and degreased the surfaces. When you have pressed the patch and need to leave it to dry, try to place the balloon so that its walls do not touch each other, otherwise the glue will corrode the balloon from the opposite side. Take your time to check, let the glue erode, otherwise the softened film will simply burst.
Special plasters- this is the simplest and convenient way puncture repair.
Easy and quick, you can use it right away, but it doesn’t hurt to degrease the container first.
If the damage to the cylinder is significant, it will be easier to weld it using Film cooking devices. Because The cylinders are apparently made from some kind of polyethylene with additives, so it’s easier to weld it than to glue it together.
Do not forget to degrease the surfaces, otherwise the seam will not be strong. Acetone is excellent for this purpose.
It is very important that the edges to be joined are without folds, otherwise it may not be cooked through where the film thickness is different.
The welding device is equipped with a timer. Before you start, try (at the end of the balloon) what value to set, usually it’s 5-6 seconds, depending on the thickness of the film from which the balloon is made.
With this method, it is possible not to remove the balloon completely (very often the problem is in the distal part of the balloon, which was poorly tucked in at the end).
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KITE REPAIR - repairs of any complexity on sewing equipment. |
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10 centimeters of work taking into account the drawing |
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10 centimeters of work excluding drawing |
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| 5 centimeters of repair on the leading edge | 300 rub. |
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Adhesive balloon hole size no more than 5 ruble coins (if larger, negotiated separately) |
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Removing and inserting the balloon from the kite with separate inflation |
250 rub. edge 150 rub. transverse |
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Removing and inserting the balloon from a kite with central inflation |
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Lifetime warranty on repairs!!!
If your kite breaks, there is nothing to worry about. Especially if the kite is new or close to it. The repair will not affect the flight performance of the kite in any way, but it will inevitably lose value when sold. Seeing signs of repairs, the buyer will inevitably complain about the need to reduce the price. Despite the fact that the kite becomes even more durable at the point of repair, there is an opinion in people’s minds that the kite is already bad. Of course, if the kite was originally cheap, and therefore made of cheap ripstop, then the likelihood of the fabric stretching is extremely high, whereas if the kite is not repaired, it will no longer be the same as before. But if it is an expensive brand like Flexifoil, Cabrinha, Best or North (some others), then the kite will not lose its aerodynamic qualities. Unfortunately there are many kites on the market that are not cheap but wear out just as quickly. For ethical reasons, I cannot name these kite models here))).
How can you tell if a rag is good or not?
When buying used:
The easiest way is to try to blow air through the fabric with your mouth. I apologize, suck the air into yourself, pressing the edges tightly so that the air does not leak past the fabric. If the rag is new, then you should not have enough strength to draw air through the fabric with your mouth. This means that the impregnation is still preserved in the fabric. If there is no impregnation, then in addition to the fact that the wing does not work properly, it may soon collapse. Since the impregnation does not disappear on its own, but only as a result of mechanical wear and under the influence of the scorching sun. Once I was repairing such a kite, and it tore right in my hands.
Also, when purchasing, pay attention to scratches, which may later be damaged.
It is advisable to inflate the kite and wait an hour to check the reliability of the cylinders. If the kite is inflated through one valve, then you should clamp all the cylinders in order to check each one separately.
When buying a new kite Pull the rag diagonally. If the rag is good, then it should not stretch, but only deform.
You've probably noticed that some kites flutter their trailing edges during flight. Those. fluttering like the tip of a flag in the wind. This occurs as a result of a flaw in the profile and has a negative impact on aerodynamics. Some brands sew a webbing into the trailing edge to compensate for this negative effect.
We should not forget that miracles do not happen, if the kite is made of light fabric and flies well in light winds, then such a cloth will not have a long life. And most importantly remember, cheap - never good.
For many lovers active rest the kite becomes not just on the water or snow surface, but almost animate being accompanying the athlete in search of wind.
Not everyone can afford to purchase several kites and carry them with them. People who carry only a sail with them usually find themselves at a loss if the projectile becomes unusable. Buying a new one is too expensive, and spending a vacation without a kite at all is boring.
Therefore, those who like to ride a board will find it useful to know how to repair a broken equipment.
What are the types of damage?
Before describing kite repairs, let’s talk about what types of damage to this device generally occur:
- the balloon is ruptured;
- valve is broken;
- fabric is torn;
- sling malfunction.
Depending on what kind of breakdown caused your device to become unusable, you will understand exactly how to repair it.
Problems with the cylinder
Some flying sails contain inflatable balloons. This part may tear or begin to leak air a little. This problem can cause a number of troubles for the athlete.
In order to diagnose and repair a breakthrough, you must first remove the cylinder.
Extraction
As a rule, removing cylinders does not cause negative emotions, since it is a very simple procedure.
The exact method for removing the part is described in the instructions for each device. Therefore, it is advisable to take it with you on vacation.
When you take out the central tank, tie the lines or rope from the kite to its ends. They can also be simply attached to the central flap. If you remember to do this, you will not encounter problems when returning the cylinder to its place.
Remember how the ends of the part are secured so that you can install them correctly later.
Looking for damage
In order to find damage to the cylinder, inflate it. This will help you understand where the air is leaking from. However, if we are talking about the breakthrough of cylinders, it should be noted that a tiny hole is not so easy to detect.
Now that you have identified where the inflatable device is vulnerable, you can fix the problem.
Repair equipment
Materials are sold with some kites. Many athletes use them when troubleshooting. However, some people find these materials not entirely convenient. In addition, during the operation of the projectile, the “magic bag” may simply get lost.
Fortunately, each athlete can separately purchase a special kit designed to provide easy and high-quality repairs kites. For repairing cylinders, for example, the components of the Dr.Tuba kit are suitable. These include glue and fabric for patches.
To repair a puncture, inflatable glue will suffice.
“Treating” a puncture
The glue must be applied to the place where the air is coming out. When repairing, it is important not to overdo it with the adhesive. The material of the cylinder can corrode, and at the very least it will become lumpy.
“Healing” the gap
A cylinder rupture is often a consequence of over-inflating it. Then a “hernia” first appears on the body of the device, and a tissue rupture forms on it.
Then, where the hole is, the fabric will be pulled out. Thinning and stretched areas must be removed by cutting off. It is most convenient if after this procedure the hole takes on a square shape.
Before you start sealing, you need to degrease the edges of the hole. It is important that the product you use to remove grease does not contain acetone.
If the patch you will be installing is self-adhesive, you can attach it straight away. Next, you will need to press the part against the balloon and wait for the glue to set.
If you are using a non-adhesive cloth, degrease it too. Then cut out a square of appropriate size, apply glue to the edges of the hole and attach the patch. Press the scarf and wait for the glue to dry.
When you are sure that the glue has completely set, inflate the balloon and check for leaks.
Installing the cylinder
If the device is sealed, it must be lowered again and returned to its place. If you initially tied the ropes to the ends of the balloon, this will not cause difficulties.
When installing the cylinders, you need to ensure that they do not twist. Otherwise, the balloon may explode when inflated.
Valve problems
Breakthrough is not the only common problem with cylinders. Valves also often become unusable. Repair of these devices - difficult task. It's easier to replace this part right away.
However, if the flap just starts to come off, you can reattach it. To do this, you need to use glue from a special kit or an adhesive for inflatable products.
Repairing kites associated with a cracked valve causes more problems. With such a problem with the projectile, you will have to purchase a new valve.
Peeling off the faulty part
In order to replace faulty part for a new one, you need to peel it off first. To do this, you can use a solvent without acetone or construction hair dryer. It will heat up the glue applied to the base of the valve and allow the part to be pulled out.
Be careful not to melt the film.
Installing a new one
Before installing a new valve, treat the edges of its seat on the cylinder with solvent to degrease and remove any remaining adhesive.
Sand the valve base sandpaper, and then also treat with solvent.
After this, a continuous ring of glue can be applied to the base of the valve and the edges of its seat on the cylinder and the products can be connected.
Hole in fabric
Kite repairs related to cylinder malfunctions are relevant only for owners of inflatable kites. But the tearing of the fabric will also upset those who use parafoil for skating.
This problem can occur, for example, if the sail lands on trees or for other mechanical reasons.
When should fabric be repaired?
If you notice that the parafoil is torn, begin repairs immediately. A small hole in the canvas will “creep” further and turn into a large hole.
Repair materials
The first thing that comes to mind when you find a hole in the fabric is to sew up the material. Repairing kites, however, involves more complex manipulations.
The fabric will become much stronger if you use patches rather than seams. A special one is suitable for them. adhesive tape, which is called ripstop. It is made of the same windproof fabric as parafoil, but glue is pre-applied to its reverse side.
This material is inexpensive. However, for small tears it will last for several patches. As a rule, the width of such a tape reaches 4 centimeters, and the length is a meter or one and a half.
You will also need regular or masking tape to repair it.
How to repair?
Dry the parafoil before starting repairs. Then treat the edges of the tear with alcohol and let them dry as well.
Bring the edges of the hole together and seal them on the reverse side with regular or masking tape. It will hold the fabric while you glue it on the other side.
Next, cut a strip of ripstop to size and attach it to the tear. It is advisable to then remove the tape and stick the same strip instead. However, experienced athletes say that a single-layer patch is sufficient.
After completing the repair, check that the patch is not bubbling or coming off anywhere. After all, water may subsequently get into the voids, which will peel off the strip.
Repair in the workshop
Many workshops offer to repair a torn parafoil or sail with an inflatable base. However, the prices of professionals, as a rule, “bite”. Besides, you still need to get to the workshop. It is much cheaper and easier to repair the kite yourself. This can be done even in “field” conditions.
Ripstop today costs about three hundred to five hundred rubles.
The slings failed
You can also repair sail lines yourself or contact a workshop. But specialists will have to pay. Your own work will cost you almost nothing.
One way or another, information about repairing lines will be relevant both for owners of “inflatables” and for those who prefer parafoil.
The main “illness” of cables is their rupture. It needs to be eliminated as soon as possible.
Knot
Most likely, a break or thinning line will catch you in hiking conditions. It is not surprising that you probably will not have a spare rope of suitable length and thickness with you (after all, manufacturers, as a rule, are against replacing one sling). You probably won’t find any special equipment in your backpack either.
Therefore, the easiest way is to tie the ends of the sling. However, for this you need to use a reliable node. After the tying procedure, it is necessary to adjust the bar taking into account the shortening of the cable.
Insert
The insertion method can also be used to repair the slings that hold the parafoil. This is suitable for slings that do not have a core.
To do this, you will need an additional piece of rope of a suitable diameter.
First, wet the ends of the lines to be repaired with water. Then they will slide better inside the empty rope. You can push the ends of the slings inside the rope using a crochet hook, a large needle or pliers.
In the middle of the spare section you need to make holes on both sides. The ends of the lines holding the parafoil should come out through them. It is advisable to melt the edges of the holes a little so that they do not unravel. The ends of the slings must be tied to a knot that does not pass through these holes.
These are the main ways to repair an inflatable kite or parafoil. Don’t delay in “treating” your shells, and have a great rest.
