Kite repair, to sew or not to sew

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Lang

66 posts

Lang

SA, 66 posts

25 Jul 2011 12:10pm

I have patched up a couple small tears in a kite with sail tape, and I am debating with the kite's co owner weather to sew in the sail tape to prevent it from pealing off. My mum is into quilting and has a fairly flash sewing machine. Not sure what thread (polyester) or weather to bother at all. Advice from people who have gone down this path would be appreciated.

Ps it has sail tape on both sides

Gorgo

VIC

5124 posts

Gorgo

VIC, 5124 posts

25 Jul 2011 2:20pm

Don't bother. The tape should be sufficient. If it starts to peel then you can redo the the tape and sew around the edges.

One tip, you need to round the corners of the tape patches so there are no sharp corners to peel off.

Heating the tape with a hair dryer will help the glue to bond better.

If you sew then use polyester thread. Gutermann is ok and available at any fabric shop. Bonded polyester is the best but it's harder to buy. A sail maker might let you have the end of a spool for not too much money (that's how I got mine.)

Transition_Surf

286 posts

Transition_Surf

SA, 286 posts

26 Jul 2011 9:47am

Gorgo said...

Don't bother. The tape should be sufficient. If it starts to peel then you can redo the the tape and sew around the edges.

One tip, you need to round the corners of the tape patches so there are no sharp corners to peel off.

Heating the tape with a hair dryer will help the glue to bond better.

If you sew then use polyester thread. Gutermann is ok and available at any fabric shop. Bonded polyester is the best but it's harder to buy. A sail maker might let you have the end of a spool for not too much money (that's how I got mine.)

Use an iron on the SILK setting to heat the glue up, this will help the glue soak into the canopy and once it cools off it'll never come off.

I once fixed a tear about 50cm long this way.

GalahOnTheBay

NSW

4188 posts

GalahOnTheBay

NSW, 4188 posts

26 Jul 2011 11:31am

Tape on both sides is surprisingly robust. Stitching is definitely stronger but not a necessity...

If you are using tape, it helps to round off the corners to stop peeling

Lang

66 posts

Lang

SA, 66 posts

28 Jul 2011 9:29am

Thanks for the advice, I ran an iron over the tape on the silk setting. If it starts peeling I will sew it in.

JOYRIDER

705 posts

JOYRIDER

705 posts

28 Jul 2011 10:25am

if you fix it well enough it'll end up stronger then the rest of the canopy.

Get a new kite, it'll be easier and less F'in around

andycass

QLD

85 posts

andycass

QLD, 85 posts

28 Jul 2011 10:17pm

I have fixed a 2' rip in a kite with duct tape it does keep peeling off but its a cheap easy fix ( always pack a roll when on holiday). Tape and glue works fine, Tape and triple stitching would be great. There is a product called kite fix where they cut two kites in half, tape and glue them back (bladders and canopy) and it is as good as new.

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