In the past I used Tear-Aid type A to cover rips. It is $25 for 3" x 5 feet. I am typically only fixing a rip on a seam (i.e. 0.030"?). I have had mixed luck. Which is 99% operator error since I am fixing kites full of playa dust at Ivanpah so that I can continue to fly. When I install on a clean surface the stuff works better. But, the 3" width is overkill and at $5 a foot, the stuff is expensive.


Since the majority of my kites have rips I went searching for an alternate. I tried a few but found that Tenacious Tape by "Gear Aid" works really well for our needs. The price and size is half that of Tear-Aid ($10 for one 1.5" x 5 foot roll or $15 for two). Plus, it has a feature that makes it very easy to install, the backing is split so you don't have to place it blind like the Tear-aid.

Here is the package:


Tape install directly over the seam/rip:


One half installed:


Installing the second half:


Installed:


I use a heat gun and lightly heat the area and then press in all directions. I find that I need to do the heat/press sequence twice to make the tape really disappear. Heat is used sparingly. The tape should not be too hot to touch when you press it to the fabric. While applying heat I could see the glue in the Tape setting very nicely into the fabric.



I bought four 5 ft rolls to patch my Vapors that were all in pretty bad shape. I used 15 feet on the 3.8m Vapor alone! I have since bought six more 5 ft rolls of Tenacious Tape and am ready for my next Ivanpah session!

Hope it works well for you too!

Paul

p.s. Here is the Tear-Aid after one week at Ivanpah (again...not installed in the best conditions and no heat). It is not coming off easy to fix this ugliness. Trimming the part that is not adhered is not a simple task

That cleanliness thing is critical for any adhesive repair. Alkaline dust is so fine and pernicious that it is tough to clean without vinegar, water and alcohol. Nice to see something that works acceptably under combat conditions. I have had good results with tear-aid under shop conditions, but something better is always welcome! Thanks for your insight.

use the heat gun again for removal? trim with an exacto knife or similar?
for application - putting 3m grip tape on worn out diving boards became really easy when i used an old roller skate like a rolling pin. the PU wheels deformed enough to get the tape into the sand-covered paint quite well.
rolling a skateboard or mountain board over the tape using your upper body weight should attach the tape to the fabric nicely.
tom

iPaul - that's a fine post right there. I just ordered a two-pack and Amazon is now rushing me 120" of fine, transparent goodness. As a frequenter of the belt sander that is Lake Ivanpah I am in particular need of this tape.

Though I do it far less often than I used to, I still on occasion touch a wingtip down at speed. I've actually seen a puff of red dust fly back from the touchdown spot when I've done this. "Great" I thought to myself at the time, "I left buggy camp with a 5.0m kite and I'll be returning with a 4.9m..."

Steve, Do you think 120' will be enough to patch the racestar? :P

I took iPaul's (Jeepersjoey) lead and got some Tenacious Tape. I had some particular challenges because I needed to apply the tape to a curvilinear surface. The consistent wear point on my RaceStar+ kites is along the leading edge right where the semi-flexible "underwires" are sewn in to maintain the ram scoop.

In all, I think I added about 15-20 little patches like this along my 5.0 and 7.0m RS+ kites. A nice little Sunday project.