Raft guide
I am NOT an expert but.... 1. Find out exactly what material your inflate is made from. There is plastic, rubber, hypalon "spelling??" (a type of rubber")etc. 2. Call the manufacturer and ask what they recommend. Generic "walmart" brand is not the best you can get, and don't go cheap on your inflate, it is exposed to high pressure and temps. 3. Sand paper the area pin hole= maybe a 3 inch patch. Must be alot bigger than the actual area to patch "ie pin hole". remember exposed to high stress, pressure temp. 4. Cut patch and bevel the edges, patch should be round. rough both the patch side and boat side with sand paper. clean with asetone or rubber cleaning agent also to dry the rubber locally. Don't mix glue until the exact time to apply. It may get hot, the glue "reaction" best is two part apoxy resin glue. Use enough to cover both the boat and patch. Follow directions, but generally let both dry first. then apply second coat and THEN stick together. Actually follow directions for glue, but you are essentially glueing the glue to the glue, not boat to patch. Boat should be flat, no wrinkles, not filled,because the air will leak and it will stress the new glue, creates bubbles. Then apply strong pressure to the patch, not clothes pins, but a very large encyclopedia, or anvil. let dry 2 days in a cool place. Note: If the pin holes are close enough. Just use a patch that covers both, one big patch is better than two smalls in my opinion. Pin hole with nice border on patch. If it was a bigger hole, I would patch the inside, and then the outside, much harder but same philosophy!!! wow, that was alot, hope you can take at least a piece of that. Don't worry, if the patch is done correctly, it will last longer than the boat, but use approve products for your boat, not generic unless somebody can testify! My experience: Used to be a raft guide on whitewater rivers, repair rafts, as a hobby. Liked the smell I guess??????? Oh yeah.... use a well ventilated area, and the outside temperature/dew point has to be average like 70 degree day, 40 percent humidity!!!! Glue is very temperature/dew point sensitive! Hope this helps Bryan
