INSTRUCTIONS FOR REPAIRING INFLATABLE HYPALON BOATS.


SMALL PUNCTURES (Less than 5cm  (2 inches) long).
1. Cut patch so that it extends 25mm beyond the damaged area.  Round all corners

2. Place patch on damaged area to check the size, then trace around the outside of the patch to show where to buff and glue.
If more than one patch is being applied it is useful to number patches.

3. Thoroughly sandpaper one side of the patch and the damaged area to remove the “oxidised” surface until fresh clean rubber is showing.  This is most important and the most common reason for failing to achieve a good bond. Both surfaces to be joined must be completely dry before application of adhesive.

4. After buffing and before gluing, it is recommended that, both surfaces are cleaned with solvent (e.g. Lancer  Cleaning Fluid Hypalon or M.E.K.). This removes dust, finger prints and contaminates.

5. Apply 2 thin coats of adhesive to sanded surfaces (with preferably a 12mm (1/2 inch) paintbrush, allowing the first coat to dry thoroughly (at least 45min but preferably 24 hours) before application of the second.  When second coat is tacky (15min) apply patch to boat. Avoid touching the adhesive coated surfaces with fingers.  Smooth out evenly to avoid wrinkles or air bubbles.

6.  Immediately after contacting the patch, press or roll the patch very firmly using a roller or other hard smooth object.  The boat can then be lightly inflated.

N.B. The adhesive used is a “contact’ type, and will “grab”.  It is important therefore, to place the patch correctly first time, once the adhesive surfaces touch, movement will be impossible without removing the patch completely, cleaning off the dry adhesive from both surfaces with sandpaper, and starting again from step 3 to 5.

LARGE PUNCTURES (greater than 5cm long).
Steps 1 and 4 should be followed.  Then before following Step 5 sew the edges of the damaged material together with nylon thread,  using a herring-bone stitch.  This locates the edges correctly whilst bonding the patch into place.

HIGH STRESS BONDING.
Where the repair is exposed to constant stress, such as a 100mm tear in a buoyancy tube, a two part adhesive system should be used.  The Lancer adhesive hardener should be mixed in a ratio of approx 1 to 10 by volume.  When using the hardener gloves and eye protection should be worn, wash promptly with water if the hardener contacts skin.  Pot life 2 hours.

AFTER REPAIRING.
Allow at least 12 hours to elapse before inflating fully.

TRACING SLOW PUNCTURES.
Small air leaks can be traced by painting over the boat with a soap lather (household detergent) then marking the spot where bursting bubbles develop.
N.B. The formation of very fine foam (like shaving cream) does not indicate the presence of a significant leak requiring repair.

PATCH BOTTOM.
Holes or tears in the bottom of boat should be repaired as above but patch should be bonded to the inside surface.


It is recommended that any “high stress” patches applied in the Field, under emergency conditions, be checked by a Service Agent at the earliest opportunity.