Required Materials:
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Hypalon Tube Material
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Clifton Hypalon Adhesive
•
Clifton Accelerator ((Recommended for air holding repairs and for
attaching items subject to high stress. See Step 5)
•
Pro Roller Hand Tool
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Toluene
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Stiff Bristle Brush – 4-ounce can has a brush in the lid.
•
Chemical Resistant Gloves (i.e. Nitrile gloves)
•
Eye Protection
•
Pencil
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Fine Sandpaper (~ 180 grit) or Rasp
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Lint Free Towel
•
Organic Fume Respirator
Safety First: Always work in a well ventilated area. Latex gloves, eye
protection, and a respirator are highly recommended.
To ensure a quality repair, read all instructions before beginning.
Introduction:
No matter how careful you are when boating, tears, rips, and holes to
your boat can occur. So knowing how to repair your boat, regardless of how big
the job, is extremely valuable information to possess. This example is a
2" long cut, which requires a patch on the outside. A tear in the fabric
of an air holding area 4-6"+ will require a patch to be placed on the
inside and outside, also known as a "sandwich" patch. The sandwich
patch will need to be treated like two separate repairs, allowing the first,
the inside patch job, to cure before beginning the outer patch.
Step 1:
Cut the Hypalon Tube Material patch to extend
2" from all sides of the damaged area. This patch is approximately 4"
x 6", for a 2" long cut. Make sure to round the corners of the patch.
Square cornered patches are more likely to catch and peel than rounded ones.
Step 2:
Trace the area of the patch on the damaged surface with a pencil.
Step 3:
Using 180 grit sandpaper or a rasp, lightly buff the areas to be glued.
This includes the damaged area of the boat as well as the backside of the
patch. The fabric should look like a dulled version of the normal boat surface.
DO NOT buff down to the point where the threads are visible. The goal here is
to remove the surface glaze of the fabric, without removing excess coating.
Step 4:
Clean the buffed surfaces with a lint free towel and Toluene. The
Toluene removes any oils, protectants, and sanding particles. It also prepares
the surfaces to take the adhesive. Its use is important for achieving a good
glue bond.
Step 5:
After the surfaces (damaged area on the boat and the underside of the
patch) have thoroughly dried from the cleaning step, apply a very thin layer of
Clifton Hypalon Adhesive to both surfaces, using a stiff bristle brush (the
4-ounce can of adhesive has a brush in the lid).
Clifton Hypalon Adhesive works well as a one-part glue. However, the
addition of Clifton Accelerator to the adhesive significantly increases bond
strength and chemical and heat resistance. It vulcanizes the rubber and speeds
curing of the glue bond. This combination of Clifton Adhesive and Accelerator
is what we use in our boat factory for producing NRS Hypalon boats. We strongly
recommend the mixture for air holding repairs and for attaching anything that
will be subjected to high load stress, such as d-rings, carry handles and foot
cups.
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Clifton Accelerator Mixture
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Glue
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Accelerator
|
|
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1 Gallon/128 oz
|
=
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0.80 oz
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As you can see, very little Accelerator is needed and most of us only
need to obtain an ounce of the Accelerator. We supply a precise measuring
device and complete use instructions with the Accelerator. Mix only the amount
that you will use within four hours. Carefully measure the volumes of Adhesive
and Accelerator; using too much Accelerator will actually weaken the repair
bond. Mix the two materials in a container that can be discarded later,
like a clean metal food can.
Step 6: After the first layer of glue is just tacky apply another very thin
second layer of adhesive to both surfaces. Test for "just tacky" with
a gloved finger or by touching knuckles to the glued area. The glue should feel
gummy, but should not stick to the gloved finger or knuckle. Do not use
your bare fingertip to test for tackiness. Fingers contain oils that will be
left behind and effect the bonding quality of a repair job.
Step 7:
Repeat Step 6, applying a third thin layer of adhesive to both surfaces.
Step 8:
Once the third coat
is to the just tacky stage, the two surfaces can be joined. If the adhesive dries beyond
this stage, you can reactivate the adhesive by wiping the surfaces to be bonded
with a lint free cloth dampened with Toluene. Join the two surfaces together
when the adhesive is tacky to the touch but does not transfer when tested with
a knuckle. Be careful with this step. Make sure to place the
patch in the correct area. Clifton Hypalon Adhesive is a contact cement, so
once the surfaces have contacted they cannot be moved.
Step 9:
Once the two surfaces are pressed
together, apply vigorous
pressure with the Pro Roller Hand Tool or roller rasp. Focus on the
center of the patch and work outward. Roll every millimeter of patch in
multiple directions. This step is important because it forces air bubbles out
and helps the two pieces of material bond.
Step 10:
Use a lint free towel dampened with Toluene to wipe up any excess glue
expelled from the patch edges while rolling.
Step 11:
Allow the patch to cure. Curing times vary due to the different
temperatures, humidity, and whether Accelerator was used. The optimal repair
environment of above 60°F and below 50% humidity, allows for a curing time of 8
- 12 hours. If at all possible avoid repairs when the humidity is above 70%.
When having to make a repair when you’re on a trip, you may not have a choice
of weather conditions and optimal cure time. In those cases avoid
over-inflating a patched tube and you may need to redo the patch when you get
home.
Maintenance:
Year round use of 303 Protectant is recommended for all boating gear.
Inflatables can use a coat of 303 in between uses, before storage and while
sitting in storage.
Pick of the Day:
- 0.5mm PVC bladder with temperature resistance from -20°C to 40°C
-
Carrying capacity 204.2 kg - 450 lb.
- Inflated size 108'' long x 63'' in wide
- Weight 45 lb.
- Luxury folding seat with foam padding.
- Set of dismountable galvanized oars with rubber handle sleeves, rubber oar stop and aluminum tube.
- 1000D x 1000D reinforced black nylon mesh basket in front.
- Powder coated aluminum frame.
- Adjustable 5 position leg rest.
- A set of 0.55 PVC waterproof multifunctional side bags.
- 8 galvanized quick snap rings.
- 8 painted strap tension clips.
- Hand pump.
- Repair kit
- Carry bag
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