F-Rib Patch Glue

[James]

Hi

Got a mate coming round tonight as we need to apply a patch to his boat. Boat isn't an F-Rib but is PVC

The only glue I have is the unused stuff that comes with the F-Rib.

Instructions are not English, there is no hardener just one yellow tube with a red cap.

Anyone know if it's any good? I probably would never use it on a F-Rib but for his cheap boat it maybe ok.

Thanks

James

[The Gurnard]

Hi James..I have used some of it and it worked well. It was for a temp patch for a puncture I got at sea. The boat was wet at the time and a difficult leak to access.. but hey..it worked.

I suspect its the same as any ..one part PVC glue..not as good as two part..but works in low pressure situations.. and should last a while. I doubt it would work so well on an air floor patch where pressure is much higher. I will use it for temporary repair on my F Rib too..with no hesitation..but for a permanent..would probably remove it again and do a two part glue job

To apply it.. I just slobbered a bit on both surfaces..left it a few minutes to go tacky.. then slapped it on. I cant read Russia either.. so I may have a different technique .. or be totally wrong .. but there is not much else you can do with it?

Leave it 24 hrs before pressure testing..so it has plenty time to set.

My thoughts in summary..not as good as two part..but will hold low pressure tubes for a reasonable while..but I personally wouldn’t leave as a permanent fix..as I mostly go to sea.. and in some difficult conditions too.

Hope that helps some

[James]

Thank you for the reply. It's worth keeping in the tool box under the bench seat.
We'll have to get some more decent 2 part glue.

Is there any 2 part glue you recommend?

[The Gurnard]

I normally use Polymarine PVC two part glue..and can say..I have never had a glue repair with that glue peel off..or leak.

It has instructions in the pack too..example..if the puncture (tear) is over 75mm in length..apply an inside patch first etc..etc. Only problem I have with two part glue is it goes out of date after a year. My last repair was with a tin that was two years out of date..and it still worked great..but the tin had not been opened before..it can go off quite quickly once opened and stored in a shed in hot weather. A pack is around £15 ..so not cheap..but good quality.

Therefore ..I tend to do temp repairs with one part glue..like the Russian stuff... then do permanent repairs once I have two or even three to do. But that's because Im quite hard on my boats..so can get a couple in a season.. not intentionally..but its because I like to use them to their full extent..not keep them in pristine condition ... by not using them on difficult launch places etc..barnacled rocks are like sandpaper..which my area is covered in.

Remember.. cleaning the wound..is as important as the glue.. I use tolulene (sp?) but if I dont have that..have used isopropic alcohol..or similar to degrease the surfaces

[James]

Again, thanks for the great reply.
Very helpful indeed.

The patch is to cover an existing one to try and make it look nicer. The original patch doesn't leak but looks a mess.

I've done it now using the F-Rib glue and it's come out look alright.