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Plastic repair

6/1/2014

4 Comments

 
The first thing you need to know about a plastic repair on a kayak is, most of the hulls I have repaired so far are H.D.P.E   (high density polyethylene),  its a great material easily moulded, tough and can be repaired however almost nothing sticks to it.

I have searched for years and tried numerous products only to see them let go at the worst possible time ie; out on the water . I guess it helps to know that a lot of glue and solvent containers use HDPE lids.

I have seen araldite, super glue, fibre glass and even rubber with tin riveted over it, soldering irons being used to try and fuse melted plastic in a crack, tar  tape stuck over the split you name it I've had to scrape it off before welding and in some cases cut plastic away that was contaminated with gunk.

A quick fix is exactly that, and might make you feel good however how would you feel when your kayak starts filling up with water 2 klms from shore? if its going to break it will happen when its under the most stress,  welding plastic repairs it as the weld becomes part of the hull.







4 Comments
Plastic Repair link
7/6/2014 06:38:52 am

What about a milk jug as a repair on a coleman scanoe? Will it hold if it is hdpe?

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Yakdoc link
7/6/2014 09:11:56 am

Hi, if they are both HDPE it will stick if cleaned properly and welded on though I think a milk jug might be a little thin?

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Plastic Repair link
7/6/2014 03:33:23 pm

Have a small hole the size of a nickel. (Or just a little bigger). My plan is to use some mesh or screen to patch and then fill the hole with the welded plastic. I plan on doing it on the inside and outside. What type of cleaner do you recommend?

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Yakdoc link
7/6/2014 10:40:41 pm

I use a product called prepsol, its what spray painters use to clean cars before spray painting, try an auto parts store. good luck with the fix.
yakdoc

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