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800.635.5202 | nrs.com |
HULL REPAIR
Your patch kit contains PVC boat material and Clifton Urethane Adhesive. You’ll also need
some type of cleaning solvent. PVC Cleaner (methyl ethyl ketone or MEK) is recommended;
however, acetone or alcohol can be substituted. Adhesive and solvent have some toxic
ingredients. Work in a well-ventilated area. Wear gloves and minimize breathing vapors.
Measure and cut a patch to cover the area that requires repair. The patch should be larger
than the repair area, extending an extra 2” or so past the edge of the tear or abrasion.
Rounded patch corners are less likely to catch and lift up. Lay the patch over the area to be
repaired and trace the outline onto the boat material. Use the solvent to clean the surfaces,
to remove any grease or oils and to prep the surfaces for best glue adhesion. Be sure to push
any exposed drop-stitch threads back inside the hull, so they don’t interfere with the repair.
Do the repair out of direct sunlight when possible. Doing repairs when the humidity is over
70% may result in poor adhesion. Apply a thin, even coat of adhesive to both the back of the
patch and the repair area on the boat. Wait 3 to 5 minutes, and then apply another thin coat.
Before bonding the patch to the boat, wait another 3 to 5 minutes to allow solvent vapors to
evaporate. Make sure the edges of a tear are in close contact. This is a contact adhesive, so
once the surfaces touch you’ll have difficulty separating them.
Carefully align the patch and press both surfaces together in a rolling motion. Apply pressure
to the entire glued surface using the roller. Vigorously roll over the patch in multiple directions,
working from the inside to the outside of the patch. This step is very important because it
forces air bubbles out and helps the two surfaces bond. Use a lint-free towel and MEK to wipe
up excess glue.
Allow the repair to cure for as long as possible. In an emergency, you could inflate the boat
after only an hour or so, but this will put stress on the patch, possibly requiring the repair to be
re-done later. If you must inflate the boat quickly after the repair, limit the air pressure in the
patched chamber. Ideally, you should allow the glue to cure for 8-12 hours, and full cure can
take up to 24 hours, depending on conditions.
We’ve included strips of Tear-Aid Type B Patch material in your repair kit. It provides a quick
field-repair option. Clean the area with the included alcohol wipes, press the Tear-Aid on and
use the roller to assure good adhesion. Limit the air pressure in the affected chamber. Type
B is at approximately 50% adhesion strength when applied and takes 24 hours to reach full
strength.
Many difficult repairs are best performed by a professional repair center. Please call or email
NRS Customer Service for more information about repair centers in your area. Our phone
number is 800.635.5202, and our email address is [email protected]. You can also see a list of
authorized NRS repair facilities on our website at www.nrs.com.
TRANSPORT
If you are transporting your boat inflated, remember to slightly deflate the chambers.
Temperature and altitude changes affect the air pressure in the boat, especially in direct