Hi all.
I've tried to find the answer before posting on here.
I've recently purchased a 2nd hand kite and it flies OK but after the last session I noticed one of the struts had collapsed . Using the soapy water trick I've found that it's leaking from a previously repaired area. There is a lot of sand under the patch itself so not sure if it was repaired correctly.
My question is, is it possible to remove the patch and redo it with a new patch or just get a new bladder?

Cheers guys.

It will be very difficult to remove the old tear aid. Drop into your local shop. They should have a roll of 6" wide Tear Aid and should be able to cleanly patch it over the top of the old patch. ANY wrinkle WILL leak.

If you are in WA, drop in to our store, we can fix most bladders or make you a new one

DM

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Madda said..
Hi all.
I've tried to find the answer before posting on here.
I've recently purchased a 2nd hand kite and it flies OK but after the last session I noticed one of the struts had collapsed . Using the soapy water trick I've found that it's leaking from a previously repaired area. There is a lot of sand under the patch itself so not sure if it was repaired correctly.
My question is, is it possible to remove the patch and redo it with a new patch or just get a new bladder?

Cheers guys.

LOTS of rubbing alcohol will get that off no worries mate. Then As Above

Adam - how could you?! Sand and grit could re-pop that bladder.

Personally, I would remove that botched job and reseal the entire area, 1inch overlap, and with another piece of bladder using the "proper glue".

Tearaid is crap when it comes to large repair jobs.

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NorthernKitesAUS said..
Adam - how could you?! Sand and grit could re-pop that bladder.

Personally, I would remove that botched job and reseal the entire area, 1inch overlap, and with another piece of bladder using the "proper glue".

Tearaid is crap when it comes to large repair jobs.

How could I what? Find a strut that doesnt have sand and grit in it already. And tear aid is fine for a bloke at home on ANY size job. Just need to do it properly

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Adam'KiteRepair said..

NorthernKitesAUS said..
Adam - how could you?! Sand and grit could re-pop that bladder.

Personally, I would remove that botched job and reseal the entire area, 1inch overlap, and with another piece of bladder using the "proper glue".

Tearaid is crap when it comes to large repair jobs.

How could I what? Find a strut that doesnt have sand and grit in it already. And tear aid is fine for a bloke at home on ANY size job. Just need to do it properly

Come on. Of course I know how to do it properly. The problem is how to place tear aid over a large hole and not have it stick onto the other side of the bladder. Besides, ALL grit should be removed from a bladder before doing a repair job. And how is that possible? By simple washing the bladder inside and out, allowing it to dry and rechecking. All grit and salt comes away and the bladder is ready for a proper repair job. In the past, I've learned my mistakes the hard way, and having a customer come back saying there are new holes - again thanks to grit being left behind. I am not saying you don't do a proper repair Adam... I am sure you're as pro as anyone of us. But I am surprised really that you would tear-aid over that patch above, grit and all. Just saying

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NorthernKitesAUS said..

Adam'KiteRepair said..

NorthernKitesAUS said..
Adam - how could you?! Sand and grit could re-pop that bladder.

Personally, I would remove that botched job and reseal the entire area, 1inch overlap, and with another piece of bladder using the "proper glue".

Tearaid is crap when it comes to large repair jobs.

How could I what? Find a strut that doesnt have sand and grit in it already. And tear aid is fine for a bloke at home on ANY size job. Just need to do it properly

Come on. Of course I know how to do it properly. The problem is how to place tear aid over a large hole and not have it stick onto the other side of the bladder. Besides, ALL grit should be removed from a bladder before doing a repair job. And how is that possible? By simple washing the bladder inside and out, allowing it to dry and rechecking. All grit and salt comes away and the bladder is ready for a proper repair job. In the past, I've learned my mistakes the hard way, and having a customer come back saying there are new holes - again thanks to grit being left behind. I am not saying you don't do a proper repair Adam... I am sure you're as pro as anyone of us. But I am surprised really that you would tear-aid over that patch above, grit and all. Just saying

At what point did I say I would tear aid over the patch above, or thats how I would personally do the repair. I suggested removing the old patch and then "as above" which meant, new clean patch with no wrinkles.
The question that ol mate had was How best for him to fix it.
In my opinion, that would be
A: use heaps of alcho wipes to remove old tear aid.
B: then carefully apply new tear aid over clean new area with NO creases.

Pretty simple for a home fix. It will work, it will hold, Im not chibulta or whatever his name is(top dude by the way) who has time to write well written advise on every little detail.

Is that how I would do it? No, In all honesty, Id just pop a new bladder in as I have heaps in stock, and charge a minimal amount.

Phew

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NorthernKitesAUS said..
Phew

^^^^ green is the new red . Right ?