Shoe Goo - for PVC dinghy repair

[Brian D]

Albeit temporary. I do have some real glue on the way and I have my patch ready. However...

I have used Shoe Goo before and found it very plyable, flexable, and it holds really well. I used it on a small hole in the floor of my Mercury 220 Rollup Inflatable.

Now, some how I found a hole in the starboard pontoon near a tie-down ring. My repair kit had a tube of glue, but it had turned to a very think gel and was unusable. So I ordered a tube of Weaver 1-Part PVC Glue and will make the repair finale when I get it.

But... has anyone ever tried Shoe Goo to do repairs on anything that needs to hold air? I did the repair this morning around 7:30 and I put air in the pontoon around 10:30. Still holding but I do not know if my pontoon is to the recommended pressure. My pump pressure gauge is faulty (just ordered a new one).

Photos

 

[thinwater]

Following. I've started some tests.

• Unlike polyurethanes, it cures by drying. Thick layers, or glue that is under something impermeable will take weeks to dry. Expect the patch to take a LONG time to cure, at least a week.
• Very poor bond to polyethylene. Less than all polyurethanes.
• Very good bond to gelcoat. But too still for most sealant applications and UV resistance unknown (I recall not great).
• Bond to elastomers, such as shoe soles. Variable. Generally pretty good.
• Chafe resistance. One of its best applications is preventing chafe on fabric, such as luggage corners, fabric shoe uppers, and probably some marine applications. Very effective, practically wear-proofs the fabric. Better than Maxijacket, which is amazing already. But I don't know about UV.

 

[CYQK]

used it on an inflateable hotub worked great

 

[rgranger]

I think goop and flex seal are the same stuff

 

[Brian D]

As I mentioned before, this is temporary. I don't plan on removing the patch, but will use real pvc Polyurethane M.E.K. to seal area with a pvc patch. At least right now there is no air leak, and, the dinghy is not exposed to the environment except when in use.

@thinwater, very interesting analysis. I didn't dig to deeply into what it was good for. As I mentioned, I used it once before on the same dinghy for a tiny hole in the floor. That has since turned yellowish but is still holding well.

 

[Rich Stidger]

Your hole will be a difficult patching issue. IIRC patches should be 2" from the hole. And in your case the hole is right at an edge of the ring mount, so I think getting a seal at a stepped edge will be quite difficult. I would consult with a repair shop that services your brand of dinghy and see what they recommend.

 

[danooxnard]

I have used a product called Aquaseal. you can get it on amazon. I stays flexible for years and years. it is used for wet suit repairs etc. when done using it, store left over in the freezer so it wont dry out. I used it on a hole in my hypalon avon redcrest and it worked for over ten years and then I sold the redcrest.

 

[thinwater]

What is the clear material of the patch? Vinyl window material?

I put some standard test panels on the roof today to test UV resistance. I also left some samples submerged. We'll see.

The best use I have found so far is luggage and pack reinforcement against abrasion. It really makes fabric tough when rubbed in. Maybe some good dodger chafe applications.

 

[capta]

I've had very good luck with a really good epoxy glue (Epoxy 330 Water Clear Adhesive). I've gotten over 6 years on my last set of lifting tangs, which take a lot more punishment than a hole patch.
I'll admit, preparation is a good part of repairing inflatables, and we are very intense about it, even down to lighting a small bit of lighter fluid on the pieces to be glued, to remove any dirt or hand oils after sanding all the shine off the material. We also partially inflate it so the patch or tangs will have the same curve of the tube.
On tiny holes I've found nothing better than a tiny patch and super glue, with the same prep as above.

 

[Brian D]

What is the clear material of the patch? Vinyl window material?

That is two layers of Shoe Goo. First layer is the larger patch. Second is a smaller patch on top to build up protection over the hole.

Before applying the Shoe Goo, I used Acetone to clean the area, used sand paper then a little more Acetone. Wanted to make sure it adhere until I get a patch on. Even then with the patch on I still wanted a good seal. I've pumped it up to 3psi and seems to be holding well.

 

[Ken13559]

I use HH-66 vinyl cement for my PVC Zodiac dinghy repair. Also use Tear-Aid Type B on straight edge portion to help prevent lifting.