Gluing PVC boat fabric

[jwalker]

Misinformation.....

Gluing PVC is not difficult providing you go about it the correct way.
Note 1 PVC does not need to be roughened
Note2 this must be done to both surfaces

1 degrease the area to be glued with fairy liquid
2 wrinse the fairy liquid off thoroughly
3 wipe over the surface with MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone) using a clean paint brush
4 allow it to dry and then do it again
5 apply a thin coat of PVC adhesive (including the curing agent)
6 after is has dried, quickly wipe over the adhesive with MEK
7 apply another layer of adhesive, wait 'till dry and wipe over again
8 apply a third layer of adhesive and allow to dry
9 get the fabric to be jointed into a suitable position
10 wipe over the adhesive with MEK for a short length in front of the area which you are about to join.
11 Be quick and bring the two glued surfaces into contact by a rolling motion to exclude any air
12 continue MEKing and jointing

It is almost impossible to separate the fabric as soon as it is placed together. You must get it right first time.

I've run out of word space...continued below

[jwalker]

Here's a neat trick if you find a rubber section which is ideal for your PVC boat. DO NOT JUST GLUE IT ON. You can prevent the PVC plastisizers from permeating the joint by using the following method.
Use Hypalon adhesive on the rubber (rough the surface first with 60 or 80 grit using acetone or cellulose thinners to wet the surface as you abrade it). Apply a second coat of adhesive. You must let it cure completely. Not dry, but cure fully. It depends greatly on temperature so give it a couple of days to be sure (to be sure).
Now you can join the rubber to the PVC with complete success using the PVC method.

I've never glued Polyurethane so can't comment on it. Tornado boats are often this, not PVC.

I used to own a Bombard SIB. Modified it greatly with no failures. That was 9 years ago and it's still doing fine. Even motored it out to St.Kilda and back single handed from the Outer Hebrides. (No one was daft enough to join me.)

Hope this helps someone.
JW.

[yoyo]

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