bladder repair using iron

Been given a kite from a friend.

Its got a couple of bladder blow outs .

I've been told it can be repaired using an iron.
Shouldn't be a problem, right?

But all the videos I've seen online only show blow outs and the ends of the bladder.

Is there any special method to it when its along the central areas??

The blow out is a foot from the inflate valve.
Is that gunna be a problem?

The area of blowout has stretched some of the rubber too?
I'm thinking its probably thinner & weaker.

What should I do??

Looking g for a home remedy, rather than sending itvaway or buying replacement.

Thanks.
Kite on & send it!!

Yeah....
Got no tear aid....

I'm in a rural area..... Closest kite shop would be 6 hours away.

So tryna repair it with just a clothes iron.....

It melts really trucking quick dammit!!!!
I think I made it worse..... Infact.... I know I did!!

Search "chris glazier kite bladder repair"
You'll get full description and detailed pics of how to go about this . If you need some bladder material, pm me , send me a stamped addressed envelope, and I'll send you some. No worries , J

If the iron doesn't work try a blow torch, just be quick with it.

You can use a goon bag, just cut a piece that covers the blowout, shiny side up and superglue it down. Cheap fix.

http://kitesurfingschool.org/bladderrepair.htm

FREE !!!!!!!!

Did it..... A bit messy but its sealed and super strong.

The area I was trying to we'll was really stretched and made some areas super thin. So I ended up cutting the whole section out.

Pretty much cut 5cm ring out of the bladder.luckily its close to the last strut so its got plenty of room as the bladders always have an extra foot at each end.

It was a bit trick to get a clean seal, but I ended up closing it the same way a leading edge repair.

Opened it up both halves album ng the seam (coz remember, I cut the bladder into two prices to remove all the thine & stretched warpy areas)..... Then payed out both section open & flat , and did the weld on the inside of the bladder.

Flipped it over, and did the same thing on the other side, but only lightly coz there's already a weld on the inside, but I just wanted to double seal it.

So then I'm stuck with a bladder with a long open seam (as I said, a bit like a LE repair)......
That s was a bit tricked to get right, coz a few tines the weld wasn't bg enough and when I pumped it the weld wouldn't hold.
Ended up welding about 3/4 inch rather than a 10mm weld...... Obviously I novice iron weld isn't as strong as a factory weld......

But its holding.....

Kites now sitting in shed with bladder reinserted. Hopefully I got it in first time coz I hate bladders on big kites.

I have actually ordered a new replacement bladder, but I havnt had wind for nearly two weeks...... It supposed to kick up on Wednesday arvo, and im hanging to get out.
If my dodgy weld job can hold up for 2 hours on wed, then I'm happy......

I learnt something today!...... What did you do?..... Pay some shmuck to do it for you??

Rpm is the man with bladder repairs
I had a bit of trouble with my 17 mtr zephyr le bladder
He unselfishly sent me one of his missus femidoms ( female condom)
His knowledge is second to none
It fitted a treat
Cheers rpm
That's what I love about kiting
One mans happy to sacrifice his pleasure so a fellow kiter can have a session,

Mypassingwind,

Good on ya, at least you tried and tried again and got it right, that's how they did it in the old days and it worked. If it fails at least you got a kite in and learnt something new, just keep close to shore until your confidence level with you repair is high.

Cheers
Rich