zodiac repair

[bowfront26]

I have a few small leaks near the bow of my zodiac that need repairing. There is a seam that travels all the way around the bow that has some threads showing( and the 2 small holes are located on this seam). I was going to place a strip of 4" hypalon all the way around the bow to reinforce the seam and repair the holes at the same time.

A few questions...
*I live in a humid area of california and I am worried about the humidity factor while repairing the boat (I hear humidity is the adhesives enemy). I have been told that a heat gun will work for drying the adhesive, has anyone done this.

*After applying 3 coats of stabond, should I hit the glue with the heat gun to get it ready to apply the hypalon or just run it over with MEK? I have heard both techniques.

*Is it a good idea to pre-sand the edges of the patch pieces

Thanks for any advice

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: zodiac repair

You can use a heat gun but I will not recommend it as you can burn the boat if you don't know what you are doing ..... as far as I know it is cold and wet conditions that doesn't work well with the glue, but anyway, if you are concerned about the humidity, then put on a gas heater or something in the room you are repairing the boat so it dries out the air ..... I would not use stabond either ....... it is a good idea to sand the patch and the area where you are going to patch .....

 

[bowfront26]

Re: zodiac repair

thanks, do you know if I can use a hypalon patch on a pvc boat?

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: zodiac repair

you can but I will use the same pvc as what the boat is made from ... if all else fails then you can use the hypalon ....