Kite Repair Tips

PieroPDX · Since 22 May 2006 109 Posts Stoked

I've got a couple small tears in my kite recently, both of which I'm sure I can do myself with some tape.

Never done any repairs before though, so looking for tips and tricks from those more experienced than I am...

1) What are some lessons or tips you've learned to make repair easier and more effective?
2) Dacron vs. Ripstop Nylon tape?
3) Sail insignia material?
4) Also, what is the 'secret' device this guy uses to line up the fabric? I'm guessing cardboard with some sticky-somethin' applied to it to hold the material in place.... hair spray maybe? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDio-51RjRQ#t=13m

Thanks in advance!

jackZ · Since 13 Apr 2008 355 Posts Devon Alberta ca. Obsessed

Hi ,
I repaired mine with the tape that came with the kite .
Clean and dry . Aligned . Patch cut bigger than the tear . Stick it on . Keep kiting .
Take it to a shop to have it repaired properly soon . Ha ha Mine's been on there two years . I did one on both sides too , figured where it was it would be stronger .

Good luck
JackZ

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2624 Posts The 503 METAL

neither of those needs a pro repair. find sail tape at the marine supply, try to match the color, cut 2 patches round, no corners, clean both sides with alcohol, set patches slightly offset. do it on a clean flat surface to get a smooth result.
Thumb's Up

D-Krep It Kiter · Since 18 Jul 2011 417 Posts Obsessed

Repair with tape = save yourself a little dough, and hope the tape holds...

Quick trip to Dangler = spend a few bucks and kite worry free.

sfbomber · Since 27 Jun 2012 114 Posts Stoked

I like to apply a patch on both sides if the cut is bigger than a pinhole. Dacron versus SailRipair tape, Dacron seems to stay on better. WestMarine carries both. With either, it helps to apply warm heat to the tape to weld the glue. I use a clothes iron on a warm setting (not hot to the touch). I apply a folded piece of paper between the iron and the tape. I usually apply the iron on my leg so I can feel the heat and stop if it feels to hot. Usually a few seconds on each side is enough.

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2624 Posts The 503 METAL

PieroPDX · Since 22 May 2006 109 Posts Stoked

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2624 Posts The 503 METAL

I didn't watch the video, but your tears are pretty clean. Just get something that's flat clean and smooth. Sometimes I will pull out a little tray table and drape the kite over it. It's important not to touch the sticky side of the patch before applying it...so either leave part of the backing on, or just have the very edge sticking to your finger. Use your other hand to smooth/stretch the fabric so that the tear closes up smooth.

Some kite injuries leave the damaged area all crumpled which makes it tougher.

Sadly, after years of self launching and landing on the beach, if there's one thing I know, it's how to fix small canopy tears. Crying or Very sad

bwd · Since 04 Aug 2007 385 Posts Obsessed

you can also use a few "stitches" in the form of superglue droplets along a longer linear tear to keep it lined up right until/during patch or tape application.
This can help keep alignment in those bigger "L" shape tears too.

PieroPDX · Since 22 May 2006 109 Posts Stoked

Thanks for all the advice.

re: the 'secret' device: The guy in the video clearly pulls out a board of some sort that has a sticky surface, allowing him to line up the fabric without it shifting....

I'm wondering if anyone has any clue what he's using. I even linked to the timestamp in the video when he pulls it out and uses it...

chrissmack · Since 08 Jun 2005 526 Posts portland Addicted

and when using tape...

do the repair at home where it is clean and dry. dont forget or put it off, and then tape it at the sandy, dusty beach before your next session Smile

idahor8rfan · Since 22 Apr 2010 50 Posts Southern Idaho

On longer rips, use blue painter's tape to line the edges up before you apply the patch. Tape one side of the kite with blue tape, flip it over and make sure the rip is lined up and then apply tape patch, flip the kite back over, remove blue tape and apply tape patch to other side.
If the tear is longer than a few inches, break out the sewing machine and sew around the tape patch.
If the leading edge is ripped call a pro for help.

dangler · Since 26 Feb 2006 1781 Posts WINDY SPOTS XTreme Poster

Never use glue on the canopy. Kitefix is crap. Don't get an iron anywhere near your kite!

Tape works fine on small tears. The blue rip is high stress area and will probably lift or rub off eventually (could be months or years).

I used a waterproof bandaid for a whole season once.

Before you break out ur mom's sewing machine, you should know u have the wrong needle, wrong thread, and unless you get your mom to sew it, you're gonna fuk it up. At least the first hundred times.

Good tip on the blue tape. I actually use Scotch tape so you can see that the edges are perfectly alligned, and it pulls off clean as the blue stuff.

Polyester or Nylon ripstop tape is better than Dacron for canopy. (the dacron or anything heavy make a hard spot that over time affects surrounding material) but doesn't stay stuck as long.

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2624 Posts The 503 METAL

dangler · Since 26 Feb 2006 1781 Posts WINDY SPOTS XTreme Poster

Anything near the leading edge should be sewn. High stress area, one good kite crash and you're swimming, and your $30-40 repair is now $120.

Full panel replacements are uber spendy and can fuck with kite performance.

I'll usually do mini panels or blend in to something so you don't see an obvious patch, help's keep the resale value up.

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2624 Posts The 503 METAL

OG · Since 07 Jun 2011 600 Posts Addicted

$30 to $40 bucks for peace of mind doesn't seem like much. Shit, when you think about the expense of your gear plus time and travel (gas, etc), and then divide that by the number of sessions you get on a kite, this cost probably is purdy cheap.