| Recommended solvent: MEK (methyl ethyl | | | | You are preparing the fabric for glue |
| ketone). It is often available at paint, | | | | adhesion. Abrading these PVC fabrics is not |
| hardware or plumbing stores, sold as a | | | | recommended or necessary. |
| cleaner for PVC pipes or lacquer thinner. | | | | |
| | | | Glue Application (3 thin layers) 6. Apply a |
| For non-critical bonds you might substitute | | | | thin glue layer with stiff brush to both |
| acetone. | | | | sides. Aggressively work it into the fabric |
| | | | with the brush. If it looks too thin, it is |
| Glue: Zodiac #7097 Universal Glue; Polymarine | | | | probably correct! 7. Wait five minutes |
| Urethane (PVC) Glue. Do not use Avon Adhesive | | | | (timed) If glue still looks wet, wait longer. |
| (one or two part) or | | | | |
| BostikÂÂÆ| | | | 8. Repeat steps 6 & 7 (total of 3 layers with |
| šÃ‚® or other Hypalon or rubber glues. | | | | 5 minute open time between) 9. Wait 10 |
| | | | minutes after third layer of glue. |
| They will not work on synthetic materials. | | | | |
| | | | 10. Join the surfaces during the next 10 |
| 1. Atmosphere: Glue with humidity less than | | | | minutes. Start from one edge and slowly lay |
| 70%; and not in direct sunlight; Temp. | | | | the patch or accessory down onto the glued |
| 64 | | | | area. |
| ° to | | | | |
| 77 | | | | Press out all air bubbles and wrinkles from |
| °F is best. | | | | the center to the edges. On deflated boat rub |
| | | | as hard as possible with smooth tool, e.g. |
| 2. Preparation: Gather rags, glue brush; | | | | the back of a large tablespoon - force air |
| solvent; timer with second hand or stop | | | | out from between boat and patch. Careful not |
| watch; make sure all the old glue is cleaned | | | | to scratch the fabric. |
| off; get your patch cut out, position noted | | | | |
| and marked. It always leaves a neat tidy | | | | For davits and hard based accessories, |
| finish if you tape off the perimeter of the | | | | deflate boat and press through from other |
| patch area with masking tape to avoid over | | | | side to make sure of adhesion. Wipe off |
| glue. (If you need more details on this part, | | | | excess glue with solvent. |
| read these general tips) 3. Mix accelerator | | | | |
| and glue thoroughly either now or while | | | | If over 10 minutes or if glue has spots of |
| waiting between the solvent wipes below. | | | | white haze the glue has picked up moisture |
| Accelerator is toxic; keep off skin. Keep | | | | and you should try to "reactivate" it. With a |
| mixed glue covered (foil or wax paper) when | | | | clean rag wet the glue surface with MEK but |
| not using. Pot life is about 1 hour. It may | | | | do not rub the glue off (one quick swipe). |
| still look liquid, but will have lost | | | | Then assemble immediately. Press hard. For |
| effectiveness. | | | | accessory on an inflated boat you can rub it |
| | | | down vigorously with a rag. Make sure there |
| Solvent Cleaning (3 times - to prepare the | | | | is no MEK on the rag when using it to run |
| fabric for a chemical bond with the glue) 4. | | | | down the part or patch. |
| Scrub both sides (boat and patch or | | | | |
| accessory) with MEK on a rag to clean | | | | 11. Wait at least 48 hours before use. |
| surface. Be careful not to wipe the MEK on | | | | |
| areas of the boat or patch that will be seen | | | | Chemical bond will continue to strengthen |
| as MEK will make the fabric sticky and shiny. | | | | over next 7 days. Don't be tempted to shorten |
| Use masking tape around the perimeter to | | | | the process. Don't cut this curing time |
| minimize this. Wait 5 minutes after the first | | | | short: your patch could peel off like a Post |
| MEK wash. (time it) Mix glue and accelerator | | | | It note! Pressure test if you want to be |
| while waiting, if not done already. | | | | sure. |
| | | | |
| 5. Apply two more solvent wipes with 5 minute | | | | Blow it up to full pressure. Leave it |
| waiting time (timed) between them. | | | | overnight. |
| | | | |