How To: Inflatable Boat Repair to Patch a PVC Inflatable Dinghy or RIB

A detailed guide of how to make a repair to a PVC inflatable boat or RIB collar.
Right tools for the job
When repairing your inflatable it's vital that you use the correct adhesive, solvent & work in the right environment, so make sure the area is well ventilated, dry (less than 60% humidity), and between 18-25 degrees C.
Due to the flammable nature of the adhesives, do not use them near an open flame. Using the incorrect materials & working in the wrong environment will often result in unsuccessful repairs.
Is my inflatable boat PVC, Hypalon or PU?
Not sure what your inflatable is made from? See our list of manufacturers and the fabrics they use: ribright.co.uk/advise-informa...
For a hypalon repair, see our video at: • How To: Inflatable Boa...
Finding the leak
If your inflatable tubes are losing air pressure, use soapy water to identify the problem areas.
A common cause for loss of air pressure is your inflation valves, so check these first.
Use 1 part washing up liquid to 20 parts water in a jug and use a paint brush to apply.
After checking the valves, look for any visible scratches or worn areas on your boat and bubble test them.
If you still can't locate the leak, you will need to brush over the whole inflatable.
Mixing the adhesive
2-part adhesives are for permanent fixes (whereas temporary fixes can be obtained with 1-part adhesives). It is important that you mix the curing agent and the adhesive in the ratio specified by the manufacturer.
For larger repairs
Punctures with a tear or hole less than 30mm can be repaired with an external patch as shown in the video. If your tear is larger. you will need to patch it internally as well. See our guide: ribright.co.uk/advise-informa...
See website for Repair kits/Adhesives/Accessories ect ribright.co.uk

[@jwdundon]

Sand with 800 grit sandpaper both the patch and the boat. Use acetone as a solvent to clean it up. Add a weight on top of the patch as well as the roller. You're welcome world

[@Trumpturd768]

Thank you!

[@LancerNik13]

HH-66 pvc cement is the best way to go for patch/accessory work. Lightly sand both patch and area. It creates a chemical bond on both material slightly melting it together. Cheers

[@westbarba529]

Thank you!!!

[@gjmottet]

Does the adhesive have an expiration date? A vole chewed a hole in my inflatable and so far I have two patch jobs fail. I guess I'll be finding out because I am out of adhesive and will need to buy a new tube of it. Got to hope third time is the charm!

[@amarobarcosboat]

Top bote inflavel , perfeito

[@penawarluka2480]

Good info gaiss

[@sewingmachinesindetail]

Thank you for this video. What is the reason to removing the excess glue outside the patch. I just got the feeling, that some glue on the edge would in better way prevent the patch to slip from the edge. Is UV-light the problem?

[@ribfix558]

Makes it look nicer really but you are correct in a way it could help in a way.

[@Mypitbull82]

Hi what glue did you use

[@peskypole8]

They never say which adhesive to use? 🤷‍♂️

[@heckman1122]

Ain't that the question!

[@ribfix558]

@peskypole8 @heckman1122 if its hypalon bostik 2402,ne486 alpha2193 or pvc alpha 2049

[@jakeb1778]

​@ribfix558 Hi do you know where I can source alpha 2049 either in canada or online. Thank you

[@stuartscott7739]

My leaks are coming from the large ribs runners at both ends I suspect the glue has let go how do I go on repairing thank you regards scotty

[@caseyjones7404]

Dont use cheep glue like this and cover with at least 6mm material

[@ribfix558]

Not sure i know what you mean but, if use a heat gun and open it up, and sand out all the old glue, then using bostik or polymarine adhesive to repair it you will also need mek or solvent and a seam roller

[@danielweeks3723]

@@ribfix558 Before glue lightly sand

[@danielweeks3723]

Lightly sanding gives glue a better grip. Doc(30++years pro experience.)

[@charliedillon6097]

What adhesive?

[@starwinjohnson475]

Websites are not opening which is there in description

[@b2blading799]

Unfortunately, ben the owner has passed away. So his site was pulled

[@livingtinyinsouthernafrica935]

Thanks, but what material is the patch made of and where does one buy it?

[@ribfix558]

Various sites mine doesn't have a shop but can send if needed

[@danielweeks3723]

2 families plastic and hypalon(rubber family) hypalon glue will not work on plastic boats, but other way round will.

[@bigcrapper50]

My small pinhole is about quarter inch from the seam how would I repair that ?

[@RibrightCoUk]

email us on [e-mail] we will try and assist

[@michailmarkakis4858]

Hi Kenny! I have the same problem, did you manage to fix it? If yes, can you guide me?

[@bigcrapper50]

No I never repaired it it’s still sits with the hole in it and haven’t used because I am disabled with the spinal stenosis so I lost interest

[@caseyjones7404]

3m4200

[@ribfix558]

Ok so from the seam outside or inside, you can mark out a small patch 60mm get it central and draw around it, scuff the surface and remove the shine the seam doesn't change the repair sand the back of the patch, sand on the seam and up to it, wipe with acetone,mek or alcohol then let the tube down mix the glue and glue both surfaces with thin coats brush away and build up on the seam edge leave for an hour, glue again leave for 5-10 mins, place the edge of the patch on the edge of the sanding, then push down in the center leaving the edges not down fully, now smooth the patch down from the center outwards and roll with a seam roller on the seam edge press your nail hard into it and run your nail down the seam

[@calumaitchison]

It's so much easier when the hole is simulated. And using material laid out on a table. Try doing a repair to a corner between, the slatted floor, tube and the transom and it would still f...ing leak.

[@caseyjones7404]

Use 3m4200 and make sure it dries. No problem

[@ribfix558]

You have to take half the boat apart to clear the area. Which is why most companies charge a fair bit for these types of repairs

[@danielweeks3723]

@@ribfix558 That is correct.

[@rebo9513]

Just use gorilla waterproof tape, It patched up small holes in my inflatable raft. I don't see why It can't patch up more severe holes like gashes. So confident in the tape I took it to a river near my house and it held. It's only 15.99 for see-through tape and for 15 yards of it.

[@zzz7zzz9]

flex-seal. cut the whole damn bottom out of the boat and replace with a screen door. eezy-peezy.

[@banshee107]

I just came back from a 5 day trip in my inflatable. Put a hole in it the first day. I also just used gorilla tape and fixed it. I did have to give it a few pumps in the morning but it sure got me out of a bind

[@danielweeks3723]

Because duct tape doesn't stretch. Far superior is Tear-aid. I take it on every trip.

[@stefffpv]

so i need to inflate the boat alittle to do this?

[@jerrodshack7610]

No. You only patch deflated boats

[@ribfix558]

@stefffpv Deflated, If you are doing patch then external can be done when inflated

[@conman20000]

What kind of adhesive works best for PVC?

[@RibrightCoUk]

Good Morning, you need PVC adhesive for inflatable tubes, the reason being is its up against the elements. if your in the uk you can purchase it from our website, if not let me know where you are and ill have a look at our data base for other retailers. hope this helps? Jennie

[@conman20000]

I live in the united states in the state of montana. I tried using a pvc pipe adhesive but that did not work at all.

[@SikkimRafting]

I am from India what will be the best pvc adhesive

[@caseyjones7404]

3m 4200 or 5200 is well worth the money. Nothing is better. Ive watched all the product tests. Anybody who still uses cheep roll on glue is doing a disservice. 3m4200 is a permanent bond. End of story. You will rip the transom off before it fails. Youve ben warned. Dont skimp.

[@robertdean8102]

@@caseyjones7404 I used the 3m 5200 junk patch peeled right of it's not for patching bycle glue works better then that the 3 m is for bonding certain parts together but not for a patch for a little hole

[@Tylnorton]

Will this work on the seam?

[@RibrightCoUk]

Yes this will work, check out our repair guides

[@caseyjones7404]

No, its basically rubber cement. Use 3m4200

[@belkmaster]

Where do you get the patch!?

[@RibrightCoUk]

ribright.co.uk/product/pvc-patch-37cm-x-15cm/ hope this helps

[@macaraga]

Amazon / ebay

[@ribfix558]

Ask and you may recieve

[@danielweeks3723]

Good sources are river raft supply stores such as NRS or White Water Designs

[@mnnchalaybysamarirfan9978]

Great ....I also patched my rubber boat in a simple way

[@leecambsuk2871]

DO NOT mark patch with ink pen... live and learn and you did say pencil or removeable marker

[@ribfix558]

Yes that is very true, on darker colours pen is OK, but certainly on white

[@matthewhoopes4440]

Well, looks like I did everything wrong. Should have watched the video first. Lol

[@ribfix558]

If its pvc use a heat gun aswell

[@cookdough77]

😆 What the f is this video? How about: patch it.

[@fishmantt9976]

What adhesive?