Hi! Got a 2 cm cut on leading edge, bladder is fixed but tried to repair the leading edge with the marine tape that comes with the wing but it doesn't stick. What do you use? Do I need to sew a patch around the cut?
Thanks
Do a big sticky-backed-Dacron patch on the inside so the bladder is pushing it against the Dacron.
I generally recommend a sewn repair for almost anything but the smallest rip on the leading edge. Although the lengthier/more costly option this is a high loading area and I regularly have damage brought to me due to to origional rip blowing out when just taped.
Ryan
The Sail Doctor
I repaired a cut on my leading edge. I removed the bladder, opened the leading edge seam at the damaged section, taped the tear on both sides, oversewed the edges of the tape, closed the seam, re-installed the bladder.
It was relatively easy to do, but I've been doing my own repairs and modifications for years. I have a decent home sewing machine and the correct thread and tape. I have two mongrel old wings that I have done a heap of work on.
The only hard part is closing the leading edge seam. The seam has a couple of folds and some binding tape. The final step required sewing through about 6 layers of fabric and the repair was on the corner going to the tip so it took very careful sewing to get it right.
It would be a relatively easy job for a professional repairer and probably cheaper than buying the thread and tape and the stress of trying to sew something difficult.
Make sure you choose a repairer that is experienced in lightweight work like kites and wings. Some sail makers are more used to heavy materials and shade cloth and stuff.
If you want to tape it Tear Aid Type A is recommended for canvas and similar woven fabrics. I've used Type B for bladder repairs and that has worked ok.
You could hand sew the tear and/or the tape repair. It's quite effective but you have to be super patient and organised and prepared to lose a little blood.
There's some tips for hand sewing here:
kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=107&t=2412130
I use Kite Aid leading edge & strut repair kit works great, the only issue is you have remove the bladder. You can get it direct or from eBay and many shops depending where you live.
www.kiteaid.com/collections/all/products/leading-edge-strut-repair-kit
Like Gorgo says but was luck was able to get to tear through leading edge zip opening. Clean surfaces inside and out with fresh water, dry, then cleaning alcohol. Sticky Dacron patch inside (tricky through zipper) and outside, edges stitched by hand around edges and across tear.
Lol.. I read this thread this morning and during afternoon session my foil went through my leading edge. I was immediately reminded of the useful info here.
OT: I have a 2 cm tear in my bladder. The bladder repair patches are 1 cm squares. Could I seal/ repair the bladder with gorilla tape? Or 4 patches in a row covering eachother and then gorilla tape?
Thanks for any tips, advice!
Select to expand quoteGorgo said..
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If you want to tape it Tear Aid Type A is recommended for canvas and similar woven fabrics. I've used Type B for bladder repairs and that has worked ok.
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Whoops. Just realised that Tear Aid Type A is what is used for everything kite. Type B is for vinyl.
Select to expand quoteRAF142134 said..
All hand sewn through the zip hole, and still going strong after many sessions
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Good for you. It's a nice feeling riding around on a gnarly Frankenstein wing you've sewn up yourself.
I put the foil through the strut in a shore break. The bladder wasn't punctured but it bulged out of the tear up to the size of an exercise ball before it exploded. I straight away ordered a new wing because the wrecked one was old and Switch had new ones on sale for $500.
Because I had nothing to lose I set to repairing the destroyed one. It was surprisingly easy to disconnect the strut from the canopy, open the strut, and double tape and oversew all the torn sections. I also upgraded the handles and sewed it back together. The strut seam is really simple. I've put almost 150 hours on it since.
The wing is quite bagged out. I am experimenting with battens to get rid of the cupping in the trailing edge. I did a prototype with tape and satay sticks and that worked well.
Gorgo sounds like you are quite handy with the sewing machine ( I am quite proud to say that mine is a a Husky Viking 5710 that I rebuilt myself, what a design! ), with the RS I couldn't see myself sewing up all the seams, I couldn't visualise the logic of it, fortunately my hands are small, but you do need a thimble as pushing that needle through all the material is hard work, but like you say it's great to beat on them afterwards and also sometimes blow right by some dude on a flashy new wing
Select to expand quoteRAF142134 said..
All hand sewn through the zip hole, and still going strong after many sessions
Yes, very ugly, but very impressive work!
That could be my method one day. I'll make sure I have some seat-belt webbing in my repairs box.
For anyone trying the internal sticky dacron patch for small holes, I recommend to make sure the patch is piece is plenty big for more bond and double layer over the cut, and clean the inside surface, and don't leave the wing fully inflated in hot temperatures (as I did).
Slingshot has a Fix it kit that has small patches that I've used. I use this, plus I put on a neoprine patch (used for wetsuits) that I iron on top of the Slingshot patch.
Stay close to shore the first couple runs
DC
Select to expand quoteoskarhhh said..
Hi! Got a 2 cm cut on leading edge, bladder is fixed but tried to repair the leading edge with the marine tape that comes with the wing but it doesn't stick. What do you use? Do I need to sew a patch around the cut?
Thanks
For a tiny cut like that, I'd use some Fast Cure 3M5200. Cut out two dacron football (American) shaped patches, one bigger to go inside, and the other 1/2" or so bigger than the cut. Pace a piece of paper etc. to protect the bladder. Thinly coat only the amount of the small patch on inside patch, and put in place. Then thinly coat the outside patch, place, and squeegee to the edges. You don't want any of the caulk exposed to the bladder on the inside so be careful it doesn't get on anything or squeeze out from under the patch. The outside patch you want a tiny amount to squeeze out.
