Effect of Humidity on pvc dinghy repair

[Mctavish]

Has anyone experience of the above? I want to patch my PVC inflatable and remember being told by Polmarine that humidity will affect chances success greatly. It shouldn't be above 60%? I hope that I can make a long-lasting repair without needing a professional to do it for me.

I just read that it shouldn't be attempted (or the the strength of the bond will be very low) when the humidity is above 70%. It's 96% now. Do you monitor the forecast humidity and then pounce on the one day in the winter when it isn't humid in the UK - that you also have time to patch the dinghy???

Thanks.

 

[Ian_Edwards]

I can't say I've ever noticed, or been aware of a problem with humidity when making a repair on a PVC inflatable.

It's very clear that the conditions should be non condensing, and higher humidity will make condensation more likely, but you can usually counter that by applying some local heat to the area being repaired, hair dryer, hot air gun, or even doing the job in the sunshine.

It is very important to make sure that the area around the patch is free from oil and grease, I normally use IPA (not the sort that's sold in the pub) and that you let the contact adhesive go touch dry, and you apply plenty of pressure, and smooth all the air out of the adhesive between the two layers.

Other than that, the repairs are very straight forward, I've done many successful repairs on PVC dingies over the years.

 

[Heckler]

Has anyone experience of the above? I want to patch my PVC inflatable and remember being told by Polmarine that humidity will affect chances success greatly. It shouldn't be above 60%? I hope that I can make a long-lasting repair without needing a professional to do it for me.

I just read that it shouldn't be attempted (or the the strength of the bond will be very low) when the humidity is above 70%. It's 96% now. Do you monitor the forecast humidity and then pounce on the one day in the winter when it isn't humid in the UK - that you also have time to patch the dinghy???

Thanks.

It is a serious consideration. As the glue evaporates it does the same as a fridge and gets colder, then humidity condenses and screws the patch up. Offshore Angola we had a rib with a hole, we couldnt fix it! This issue stopped us!
Stu

 

[VicS]

Has anyone experience of the above? I want to patch my PVC inflatable and remember being told by Polmarine that humidity will affect chances success greatly. It shouldn't be above 60%? I hope that I can make a long-lasting repair without needing a professional to do it for me.

I just read that it shouldn't be attempted (or the the strength of the bond will be very low) when the humidity is above 70%. It's 96% now. Do you monitor the forecast humidity and then pounce on the one day in the winter when it isn't humid in the UK - that you also have time to patch the dinghy???

Thanks.

Take it indoors into a warm room or workshop

According to the hygrometer on the wall behind me it is 44% in here

Its 84% in my slightly heated greenhouse and 100% .. (its raining)... at the nearest met station on XCweather which is Biggin Hill

Lunchtime job in the office while no one is watching?

BTW use the correct solvent for cleaning as it slightly softens the PVC and primes it ready for the adhesive. Propanol (IPA) as suggested above will not do that. I believe it contains butanone ( MEK)