Hi,

Today, I found a small tear in the back side of the kite near the left wing tip. The fabric is torn in this shape:

_
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The tear is maybe 1/3'' in length and width.

Is there a way I can repair the kite myself? This is my first kite tear and I am not happy with myself. I was flying a larger (than usual) kite in high wind. At one point when my attention wavered, the kite sped towards the powerzone. It happened so suddenly with such power that my flexi handles left my hands! Luckily, I was using safeties.

Thanks.

http://kitefix.com/

also your local kitestore should probably carry Ripstop Repair Tape

Those guys are mad!

Super glue

I have not done it myself but I have seen many dual line stick kites repaired with it.

On the back side, tape the torn bits together and then glue the tear... Let it dry and peal tape off.

Nylon repair tape is OK for field repairs.

Ron

Quote:

Originally posted by sodfarmkiter Those guys are mad!

Huh?

Go to a marine store and get spinnaker repair tape- that's what's in the Kitefix kits. They just package it in convenient sizes. For that size tear, that's all you need.

The Kitefix kits are great for larger repairs, including bladders.

can you Sew ?

never use superglue... sorry RonH.

I can't sew. I did get Ripstop repair tape which I will try soon.

Yup, tape it up with some good quality ripstop repair tape or mylar sail tape (spinnaker). When you cut your tape round the corners and it will have less tendency to snag. Put two pieces over the tear that are slightly larger than the tear; One on the top of the kite and one on the bottom so that the tear is sandwiched in between the two pieces of tape. If you can't reach inside the kite to get the bottom piece on then put the bottom one on first. This is a bit tricky but you can do it by sliding the tape inside of the kite through the tear and laying the material down on top of it. make sure that the sail is matched up perfectly and don't stretch the sail or overlap it or it will de-form the air foil shape of the sail and could cause some problems with flight. Once you press the sail down on the tape, put the outside piece on and smooth out completely. The best thing I found to smooth out the tape and work out any air is a tea spoon. Just rub the spoon over the taped area with some pressure and it sticks the tape in real good! If it is a very small tear and is nearly impossible to get the tape inside then the outside piece should be plenty good.

If taped properly it should hold up for a year or longer with no problems. It is a good idea to check it from time to time to make sure your tape job is still holding up good.

Good luck and hope this helps.

Thanks, everyone!

Quote:

Originally posted by powerzone never use superglue... sorry RonH.

why?

It is the most effective way to repair ripstop and it lasts a long time (on the sport kites I have seen...) plus it is almost invisible.

Curious why you would say never use it.

Anyways... repair the sail before it gets worse... any way you want.