To maintain your boat’s good condition, clean it out and wash it thoroughly with soapy water. Rinse carefully and check that no dirt or foreign bodies such as shell, sand or fishing hooks are left inside that might deteriorate the fabric.
For tar stains use a gentle, non abrasive cleanser such as Jif, or use a recommended Inflatable Boat Cleaner available from most boat chandlery outlets.
Do not use abrasive or aggressive chemical compounds, warm soapy water is best in most situations.
Do not use any solvents, petrol, etc (PVC models), use solvents sparingly only on Hypalon models.Test any cleaner on a piece of patch material if in doubt.
Contains:
– Fabric patches
– Ready-to-use special glue in tube
– Sand paper
– Valve spanner
– Humidity max 60%
– Temperature range between 18 and 25 degrees Celsius
– Repairs should not be carried out in direct sunlight, wind or rain
– Repairs should, however, be undertaken in a well ventilated area
Highfield Inflatables that have tubes constructed with Valmex PVC coated fabrics require PVC adhesive (Bostik 999). Use only recommended solvent and adhesive.
Identify the area to be patched. This can be done by running water over the suspect area or spraying or brushing with detergent in water.
If the hole is only small, cut out a round patch of no less than 60mm diameter. Larger holes or cuts will require proportionately larger patches but always ensure you have at least 30mm of patch around the perimeter of the cut or hole and the corners are well radiused.
Next hold the patch on the tube and mark out around it.
Clean both surfaces with solvent and spread a thin layer of adhesive over them.
When the first coat is dry to the touch (about 10 to 15 minutes) apply a second thin coat. After waiting 5 or 6 minutes, touch the adhesive with the back of your hand. If it no longer appears wet, heat both areas with a hot air gun to re-activate the glue and join the patch to the tube and then clamp or roll the surfaces together. For the best adhesion, roll over the patch with a 3/16th width roller or over the bottom edge of a bottle.
Do not inflate the boat fully for 24 hours.
For large tears or cuts a polyurethane adhesive should be used and is best applied by a professional repairer.
Highfield Inflatables that have tubes constructed with “Orca” Hypalon coated fabrics cannot be bonded with plastic adhesives or by welding. Only the special adhesives supplied and the following procedures must be used if repairs are to carried out successfully.
Only use the enclosed adhesive and recommended solvent and catalyst. (In this case MEK solvent is recommended)
Identify the area to be patched. This can be done by running water over the suspect area or spraying or brushing with detergent in water.
If the hole is only small, cut out a round patch of no less than 60mm diameter. Larger holes or cuts will require proportionately larger patches but always ensure you have at least 30mm of patch around the cut or hole and the corners are well radiused.
Next hold the patch on the tube and mark out around it.
Using a grinder, course sand paper or scratch stone, rough up both the back of the patch and the area marked on the tube.
Clean both surfaces with solvent and spread a thin layer of adhesive over them ensuring there are no lumps.
When the first coat is dry to the touch (about 10 to 15 minutes) apply a second thin coat. After waiting 5 or 6 minutes, touch the adhesive with the back of your hand. If it no longer appears wet, heat both areas with a hot air gun to re-activate the glue and join the patch to the tube and then clamp or roll the surfaces together. For the best adhesion, roll over the patch with a 3/16th width roller or over the bottom edge of a bottle.
Do not inflate the boat fully for 24 hours.
For large tears or cuts a two part neoprene adhesive should be used and is best applied by a professional repairer.