Lots of stuff on the web about repairing Hypalon dinghies, but not much about getting off old repairs to start again.
See full version: Removing an old repair from an inflatable
Lots of stuff on the web about repairing Hypalon dinghies, but not much about getting off old repairs to start again.
I've dismantled original seams in PVC boats using a heat gun and a flexible paint scraper. There's a temperature band at which the glue melts but before the material begins to scorch, at which point sliding the scraper in will pop the seam neatly apart. If the glue your chap used was the right kind of stuff, this ought to work very well to remove a patch.
If it is Hypalon then heating with a hot air gun will soften the glue and you will simply be able to remove the old patch. [links]
Plug in a hair dryer and hold it on the patch to heat the adhesive. more
Keep the heat on the patch while scraping with the putty knife. When an edge of the patch has lifted from the surface, grab the edge with a pair of pliers and remove the patch.
Scrape the edges of the patch with a putty knife. The putty knife shouldn't have any sharp edges that could puncture the raft.
Nobody likes to hear the patch on their inflatable boat leaking, especially when they are in it on the water. Repairing and refinishing a boat are the two most common reasons for patch removal. Once the patches have been removed, the surface area can be prepared for new patches or for a new finish. If you keep your boat in good repair, you won't need to buy a new one for years to come and each recreational outing will be a safe one. more
Instructions
1. Plug in a hair dryer and hold it on the patch to heat the adhesive. more
Nobody likes to hear the patch on their inflatable boat leaking, especially when they are in it on the water. Repairing and refinishing a boat are the two most common reasons for patch removal. Once the patches have been removed, the surface area can be prepared for new patches or for a new finish. If you keep your boat in good repair, you won’t need to buy a new one for years to come and each recreational outing will be a safe one. more
2. Scrape the edges of the patch with a putty knife. The putty knife shouldn’t have any sharp edges that could puncture the raft. [links]
Now you need to apply a patch to hide any repairs and discoloration. The patch should be made of the same material as the boat and if you can not match the exact color then use an attractive contrasting color so it looks intentional. Some repairers will cut the patch into an attractive deign or pattern and apply the same patch to both sides of the boat to disguise the patch. You need a minimum of 1″ larger than the fitment and sharp corners should be avoided so radius the corners. here
The davits on my inflatable dingy are peeling and separating from the bond. How do I remove, clean and reapply them?
If any of the coating is removed from the fabric and you get down to the cording, it will cause the boat to leak and this must be properly repaired. The way to do this is first build up the damaged fabric to the same height as the surrounding area with the special 2 part adhesive made for inflatables. Weaver makes an excellent 2 part adhesive which can be purchased at most Inflatable Dealerships. An 8 oz can is about $30 or $40. Do not apply thick coats, the thinner the better. Wait for each coat to dry before applying the next. This is a contact type of adhesive so work carefully with it and keep it clean and free of dust. This type of adhesive will discolor the adjacent fabric so apply it only where you need it. here
The way the pros do it, varies depending on whether the boat is PVC or Hypalon, but this is how they do it. First you need to remove the fitment.
If you have the skill, time and patience, you can do it but it is tricky and you only get one chance. Remember the reason that the professionals are professional is that they have training from someone who had already screwed up their share of boats learning how to do it, have had lots of practice on someone else’s boats and have probably screwed up their share of boats learning how to do it as well. That’s why they get the big bucks.