How To Guides
- How to undertake a professional quality repair of your PVC or Hypalon RIB, inflatable boat and SIB tubes
- How to clean inflatable boats, protect RIB collars, tubes and sponsons, clean Hypalon and PVC inflatable boat fabric
- How to find a leak in my inflatable boat, RIB, dinghy, life raft or inflatable kayak collar or tubes
- How to fit a replacement screw-in type inflatable boat, rigid inflatable boat (RIB) or dinghy inflation deflation valve
- How to fix or glue inflatable boat PVC fabric patches and accessories to Hypalon fabric RIB collars and tubes (and vice versa)
- How to identify the fabric of your RIB, inflatable boat, dinghy, life raft or inflatable kayak collar, tube or sponson. Hypalon or PVC?
- How to repair inflatable boat, RIB, RHIB, SIB and kayak collars, inflation tubes or sponsons
- How to replace a Leafield Marine A4 inflation/deflation valve older inflatable boats, RIBs, RHIBs and dinghies
- How to replace an inflatable boat valve
- How to service and/or fit a replacement diaphragm to the Alfons Haar type SF1 inflation valve
- How to service or repair the Leafield Marine A7 or B7 inflatable boat valve
- How to service or repair the Leafield Marine C7 inflatable boat valve
- How to clean your RIB with August Race products
- How to winterise and store inboard engines and outboard engines
- How to make an emergency repair using TEAR-AID® Type A to a Hypalon inflatable boat, RIB, raft and other Hypalon / rubber inflatable structures
- How to make an emergency repair using TEAR-AID® Type B to a PVC inflatable boat, RIB, raft and other PVC / vinyl structures
- How to check your lifejacket
- How to install a TRIB airCap HR
- How to install a TRIB airCap LF for Leafield Marine C7 & D7 valves
- How to store your inflatable boat over winter
- How to look after and maintain the ropes on your boat
RIBs & Inflatable Boats
Safety Data Sheets
Blog
How to Make an Emergency Repair using TEAR-AID Type A to a Hypalon Inflatable Boat, RIB, Raft and other Hypalon / Rubber Inflatables
RIBstore explains how to repair all makes and types of Hypalon inflatable craft with tears up to 50mm
Successful repairs are dependent upon the environment in which the repair is carried out. Contaminants on the area to be repaired can sometimes prevent a successful emergency repair. Whatever the outcome of the emergency repair, it is just a “get you home emergency repair” so a permanent repair using 2-part adhesive Hypalon adhesive and Hypalon/rubber material should be made at the first opportunity.
Use TEAR-AID® Type A for Hypalon emergency repairs. On a dry Hypalon surface TEAR-AID® Type A will have approximately 90% adhesion in on initial application and 100% within one hour.
After application TEAR-AID® Type A will work in temperatures from -25ºC to 60ºC.
Use TEAR-AID® Type A for small Hypalon emergency repairs. It cannot be applied in wet conditions. If there is any concern about safety or repair failure then only attempt the repair using adhesive and Hypalon material. TEAR-AID® Type A should ideally be applied with material temperature above 10ºC.
Dry repairs:
For best results apply to a clean dry surface. Dry then clean the surface to be repaired with an alcohol wipe, or if available 50/50 mixture of rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) and water. Before proceeding, make sure the surface to be repaired is dry. Ideally the surface temperature to be repaired should be 10ºC or warmer.
- Cut a patch to size allowing at least 40mm for the patch to extend beyond all edges of the tear/hole. Trim square corners into round corners to minimise them being caught and lifted during curing.
- Taking care not to foul the cut patch with your fingers, carefully peel back 20mm of the paper backing. Tearing the paper backing while stretching the edge of the patch will help separate the backing from the patch, especially when the patch has been cut into a small size.
- Carefully position the patch with the paper backing still on it and anchor the exposed 20mm edge ensuring the patch extends 40mm beyond all edges of the tear/hole. Slowly peel back the liner while carefully applying the patch over the tear/hole using the plastic spatula or perhaps a credit card – take care to avoid air bubbles. Rub all edges to seal. Rub entire patch aggressively.
Please dispose of any used adhesive tubes and TEAR-AID® Type A responsibly and with consideration for the environment.
See our other ‘How To’ guides at https://www.ribstore.co.uk/pages/advice-information
View & Download a PDF Version of this Guide HOW TO make an emergency repair using Tear Aid Type A to a hypalon Inflatable Boat, RIB, Raft and other hypalon / rubber structures