I was really lucky that we bagged the trip yesterday. I was turning my drysuit right side out after letting it dry from the Sat. paddle when I found a very badly rubbed place on one hip. I looked at the other side and found a less badly rubbed place but still in need of attention. I had been out 3 times in my new boat so I took advantage of the beautiful temperature yesterday to put new deck lines with beads on the boat and look at the seat to see what was happening. Bolts! My guess is that the bolts holding the seat were rubbing me. Both of them were quite ruff so I filed them down and put (good) duct tape over them. The added 3 layers of clothes for winter paddling made the fit of the seat nice and snug. But, at any rate, I'm still left with the problem of the abrasions on my suit. I tested for dryness, which I'm VERY lucky is still solid. One more paddle in that seat I'm sure I'd be really scrambling for a quick repair. Thank god it is in the black part of the suit. That should be easy to find in just about any fabric, I hope <G>. What fabric can I use for patches and what kind of adhesive would be best for a place that is going to be constantly in contact with the seat? I assume I should make the patches rather large so if they do peal up I can trim and reglue without endangering the damaged areas. All help appreciated. Comments about how broad the beam is, may be withheld. Joan Spinner * * * Paddling the Chesapeake Bay watershed In a red, CD Breeze or a yellow/white Dagger Meridian SK *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> What fabric can I use for patches and what kind of adhesive would be best > for a place that is going to be constantly in contact with the seat? I assume > I should make the patches rather large so if they do peal up I can trim and > reglue without endangering the damaged areas. I am sure there are better ways out there, but could this be patched like innertubes? -- : : Gabriel L Romeu : http://studiofurniture.com furniture from the workshop : http://members.xoom.com/gabrielR life as a tourist, daily journal : http://users.aol.com/romeugp paintings, photographs, etchings, objects *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
If your drysuit is Kokatat, call them for a patch kit. I just patched a hole in mine and it was very easy. They provide everything - adhesive, plain Goretex, colored Goretex (all in a bunch of different sizes), all for about $15. Other drysuit manufacturers probably have similar kits but I am unfamiliar with them. Debbie Reeves Sandy Hook, NJ > ---------- > From: JSpinner_at_aol.com[SMTP:JSpinner_at_aol.com] > > > I was really lucky that we bagged the trip yesterday. I was turning my > > drysuit right side out after letting it dry from the Sat. paddle when I > found > a very badly rubbed place on one hip. I looked at the other side and found > a > less badly rubbed place but still in need of attention. <snip> What fabric can I use for patches and what kind of adhesive would be best > for a place that is going to be constantly in contact with the seat? I > assume > I should make the patches rather large so if they do peal up I can trim > and > reglue without endangering the damaged areas. > All help appreciated. Comments about how broad the beam is, may be > withheld. > > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
This might be worth a call to the manufacturer. There may be some glues that react unfavorably with the drysuit material (further damaging it) or simply fail to stick. The latex seals seam to have a glue sealant where they join the material but I believe it is applied with heat. Tom *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
>> What fabric can I use for patches and what kind of adhesive would be best for a place that is going to be constantly in contact with the seat? I assume I should make the patches rather large so if they do peal up I can trim and reglue without endangering the damaged areas. >> At most outdoors stores you can buy rolls of self-adhesive nylon tape for patching holes in outdoor clothing and gear. I think they are made by Kenyon. As long as the Goretex membrane in your suit is still intact, I think this should suffice, providing the tape is wide enough (I think it is about two inches wide). Several years ago I melted a hole in my winter camping parka when the sleeve accidentally touched the top of a candle lantern. With down leaking out the hole, I repaired it on the spot by applying one of these patches. Ten or more years later, the patch is still in place. You could also try applying a patch of nylon taffeta or lightweight Cordura using seam cement or contact cement. Chuck Holst *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
In addition to patching the dry suit itself with the heaviest material you can find...such as cordura...you might want to do a bit more with the kayak's seat than you have. You mention smoothing down the screw heads on the seat and putting ducttape over them. Just to be on the safe side you could apply a neoprene patch to the seat in that area as well. Use the neoprene from a patch kit and apply with aquaseal. This way there would be no chance that the screws would ever again start rubbing against your suit, say if the ducttape comes unlodged. Also the neoprene patch would add a bit more grip to your seat, which is always good to have. ralph diaz -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I'd recommend Cordura. It's almost totally waterproof, but if you cover the entire back surface of the patch with Aquaseal to glue it to the suit, it will be waterproof. If you clean the surfaces well and use Aquaseal, I wouldn't ever worry about the patches peeling up. 500 denier Cordura is nice. Cordura Ambush is a bit thinner, but really nice stuff and pretty abrasion-resistant. If you're just wanting a big "skid plate" to protect you from those nasty bolts, then 1000 denier or ballistic Cordura will do the trick. Shawn > What fabric can I use for patches and what kind of adhesive would be best >for a place that is going to be constantly in contact with the seat? I assume >I should make the patches rather large so if they do peal up I can trim and >reglue without endangering the damaged areas. > >Joan Spinner *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
"Shawn W. Baker" wrote: > I'd recommend Cordura. It's almost totally waterproof, but if you cover > the entire back surface of the patch with Aquaseal to glue it to the > suit, it will be waterproof. Joan, Just a caution on Cordura - it comes in both coated and uncoated versions and the coated isn't always waterproof. Also, some folks question the use of two waterproof layers in contact. If you get a bit of water in between, it will have a hard time getting out and can become quite, ummm, ripe. Mildew etc can be a problem. I'd recommend not using a waterproof layer on the outside. Use it to resist abrasion only and let it drain and dry. Also, why not stitch it around the edge? This will be more reliable than glue. You'll have to waterproof the stiching, but that's not too bad. I can't remember if yours is GoreTex or coated nylon. If the former, you'll need a special waterproofing tape (available with difficulty from outdoor sewing shops) or use a glue type sealant. Coated nylon is easy, since regular waterproof seam sealing tape can be used (more easily available from outdoor sewing shops) or the glue like stuff. Mike *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I needed a tiny piece - the fabric hadn't actually torn, but caught on something - and they sent it to me for free. In fact, they sent about 5x the amount that I needed (maybe they thought I'd make a lot of mistakes!!) Joan On Tue, 18 Jan 2000 08:26:44 -0500 "Reeves, Debbie (Debbie)" <dreeves_at_lucent.com> writes: > If your drysuit is Kokatat, call them for a patch kit. I just > patched a > hole in mine and it was very easy. They provide everything - > adhesive, > plain Goretex, colored Goretex (all in a bunch of different sizes), > all for > about $15. Other drysuit manufacturers probably have similar kits > but I am > unfamiliar with them. > > Debbie Reeves > Sandy Hook, NJ > > > ---------- > > From: JSpinner_at_aol.com[SMTP:JSpinner_at_aol.com] > > > > > > I was really lucky that we bagged the trip yesterday. I was > turning my > > > > drysuit right side out after letting it dry from the Sat. paddle > when I > > found > > a very badly rubbed place on one hip. I looked at the other side > and found > > a > > less badly rubbed place but still in need of attention. > <snip> What fabric can I use for patches and what kind of > adhesive would be best > > for a place that is going to be constantly in contact with the > seat? I > > assume > > I should make the patches rather large so if they do peal up I can > trim > > and > > reglue without endangering the damaged areas. > > All help appreciated. Comments about how broad the beam is, > may be > > withheld. > > > > > ************************************************************************* ** > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author > and not > to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ > ************************************************************************* ** ________________________________________________________________ YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Michael Daly wrote > "Shawn W. Baker" wrote: > > > I'd recommend Cordura. It's almost totally waterproof, but if you cover > > the entire back surface of the patch with Aquaseal to glue it to the > > suit, it will be waterproof. > snip > Also, why not stitch it around the edge? This will be more reliable than glue. > You'll have to waterproof the stiching, but that's not too bad. I can't remember > if yours is GoreTex or coated nylon. If the former, you'll need a special > waterproofing tape (available with difficulty from outdoor sewing shops) or > use a glue type sealant. Coated nylon is easy, since regular waterproof seam > sealing tape can be used (more easily available from outdoor sewing shops) or > the glue like stuff. > Why not just spread Aquaseal - thinly - over the abraded area. In my experience, Aquaseal is pretty tough once it cures, and should help reinforce the surface of the drysuit against further abrasion. The key is to spread it thinly enough so that there is no stress riser between uncoated and coated fabric. This can be done by putting a small dab of Aquaseal on the abraded area, and then using a popsicle stick (or something similar) to spread it *thinly* over the abraded area, being especially careful to thin it out to almost nothingness at the edges. This would make the adding of any patching material unnecessary. Sewing a patch through a drysuit that isn't leaking amounts to creating a potential problem where none (yet) exists. Of course, it would still be good to check with the manufacturer of the drysuit to see what they recommend for repairing an abrasion. Regards, Erik Sprenne *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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