quicksilver hole problem! (sealent)

[HMSclit]

I have a pin sized hole in my inflatable sib and I am wounder weather they do a red or clear sealant rather than using the big horrible patches. The hole is making the boat deflate just lose pressure when hitting waves! Any idea much appreciated.

[willk]

Not the most professional, but this stuff works. Clean the surface with thinners, loosely deflate the tube and dab a small bit of this on the hole. Try to remove more air from the tube (by back pumping) to encourage a bit of the sealant to enter the hole and mushroom out on the inside. Allow to dry. Obviously, it must be a pinhole, not a gouge.

That's an interesting name. Lord Vetinari (aka John Kennett the Administrator) will change it for you if you PM him - clicky

[HMSclit]

Well it isn't a guaged hole it has removed a bit of the tube but air is leaking out of a pin size hole

[kelson]

I've tried the using liquid rubber to seal pinholes before. It worked, but did not last. Not enough surface area to hold well in my case or maybe to much abuse and abrasion. Once you've glued one patch on your boat it is no longer such a big deal. If possible you can use an accessory like a d-ring patch to discretely cover a pinhole leak depending on where it is located. I glued two on a friends boat. One to patch the leak and the one on the other side to make it look like a useful addition rather than a repair.

I kept seeing boats with peeling small patch repairs, so I don't try to minimize what patches I do glue down.

[HMSclit]

Any other idea want it too look as it hasn't been fixed. They loose value with patches don't they

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by HMSclit

They loose value with patches don't they

And with leaks. Patch or re-tube.
Cunning patching can be virtually undetectible.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by HMSclit

...they loose value with patches don't they

no they loose value when they have a hole in them / leak - so you're too late.

Where is the puncture? I think the extra D-ring / handhold / cleat suggestion (on both sides) is the best was of a long lasting "invisible" repair. Willk's wet suit glue method is the only alternative (except a proper patch) - and will probably not last indefinitely.

[HMSclit]

Cheers for the advice thought there would have been some sort of sealant out by now especially as it isn't a wide or long hole/split

[HMSclit]

The hole is on the underside of the tube towards the front of the boat

[HMSclit]

Also what is a cunning patch and also were could I get them

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by HMSclit

Also what is a cunning patch and also were could I get them

You make them with bits of sheet PVC, scissors and things.

[HMSclit]

Think I may use the d-ring idea and idea were I can purchase a circle black one with the ring