Help on replacing wear patches

[chrisidle]

Hello there. I am new to this forum so i hope i am posting correctly.

I am looking for advice on replacing the wear patches on an old Northcraft Rib. The tubes are in good condition, but the wear patches have started to de-laminate on the edges where dive bottles have been pulled across them.

I am confident in glueing the new patches. My issue is how do i remove the old patches? When i try and pull at the parches the top synthetic material comes away leaving the inner cloth reenforcement firmly attached to the tubes. I could remove the loose top layer and then stick the new patches directly to this cloth, but that seems like a bit of a bodge.

Does anyone have any advice?

Thanks in advance

Chris

[Sam G]

Hi Chris, the best way to remove the patches is to heat them up using a heat gun (or a hair dryer sometimes works), be careful though hold it far enough away from the tubes as to not melt them and keep the heat moving don't concentrate it in one place for too long. This should enable you to peel off the old patches (all be it slowly). There will be some glue residue left behind you can remove this using a flap wheel drill attachement , then clean the area off with a solvent. Ensure your have the right adhesive for your tube type (pvc or hypalon) and you're ready to go. Let me know if this helps or if you need any further help (aplogies for this all being in one block I'm using the mobile app) good luck with your repairs. Sam

[chrisidle]

Thanks Sam. I'll give it a try and let you know how i get on.