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Kite repair

Kcleelaws - 30-10-2016 at 11:44 PM

I took out my Beamer 5 meter and my ATB today. Went to the beach and was only able to fly a couple hours before my kite was soaked and covered with sand. Then it was just too heavy to flu well and the wind really died down. So I rolled up a big wet sandy mess and headed home. I had a blast but rinsing the salty samdboff I noticed that inside of one cell, the narrow strip of material that zigzags through the opening of each cell came undone on one die. It looks as though it cleanly cut itself at the stitches. There's no loose threads or any other damage to be seen. I'm wondering how to go about fixing it, and what products to use.

bigkid - 31-10-2016 at 03:58 AM

Can you post a picture of the problem? There are many ways to fix it.
It's easier to answer your question if we can see what's going on.

Kcleelaws - 31-10-2016 at 10:59 AM

It's the narrow strip of nylon that joins each cell at the leading edge. It's located at the last point towards center where the bridle attaches. Think the repair tape can hold? Now that it's dry I was planning to fly the sand out today but I think I'd better wait until it's fixed so I don't cause further damage. The wind was only about 15 mph but the kite got quite heavy with sand and water. Maybe this contributed to the damage? Here are the largest image files I can gut to go through.

bigkid - 31-10-2016 at 11:40 AM

You blew a cell.
1- send it in for a manufacturer repair.
2- use Mylar tape to tape the pieces back together, and be sure to tape both sides.
3- use nylon repair tape and do the repairs the same as with some mylar tape.
4- sew a filler strip in place of tape to hold the parts together.
5- send it to a kite repair shop.
6- buy a new kite.

Kcleelaws - 31-10-2016 at 11:59 AM

I'd like to attempt the repair myself first, without making a mess of it if I need to have it professionally done. I saw rip stop tape, what do you think about using that and and sewing it in?

OffAxis - 31-10-2016 at 12:10 PM

I highly recommend contacting HQ kites a getting a quote to fix it. They may claim warranty and fix it for you. At least you will know what it will cost for them to repair it.

I got my HQ Rush Pro fixed by them when I blew out a the trailing edge of one cell. I'm the second owner, so I was surprised that they still covered it. I had to pay shipping to get it to them but it was incredible how professional the repair was. Contact them and at least see what they will say.

I believe HQ contracts the repair through this company some how: http://fixmykite.com/

Contact: sales@hq-kites-usa.com Tell them what happened with pictures was see what they will do for you.

bigkid - 31-10-2016 at 12:26 PM

I agree with offaxis it may take some time but what the heck.....
I have repaired several kites and I am rather good at it but it comes with practice.
I would remove the piece and replace it with the same material and sew it back together. Or use nylon tape to make the repair and sew it in place. If the tape is not installed on CLEAN material it will eventually come off. Round the corners of the tape and it will stay put better.

Kcleelaws - 31-10-2016 at 03:42 PM

Thanks for the input, I have sent HQ an email. I'll post about the outcome of what ever Happens. I bought the kite new in July so I'm hoping for gettin it fixed under warranty, as I haven't really abused it yet, still gets intimidating with wind 18+ mph.

markite - 1-11-2016 at 08:39 AM

for a tear like this, when it's either a rib that tore away from the stitch or smaller D rib here is what I would do if doing a repair. There are some things to watch for:
- is the damage just to the one piece or when it ripped away is there damage along the stitch line to the other panel that it was stitched to
- does that stitch line also hold another piece of material in place. You could have one stitch joining several pieces and folds so if you undo this stitch just watch what you need to re-stitch together again.

Going with the simple explanation, that stitch line worked like a perforation line where the material "tore along the dotted line" leaving a strip of material about 3/8 in wide still attached to the stitch. Sometimes the tear away is somewhat cleaner with a slightly ragged edge and sometimes it shreds and distorts the material. I would unpick the stitch line and free up that small 3/8 in strip. Then carefully line the two torn edges up. You can lightly spray some low tack spray adhesive to cardboard to use to temporarily hold the pieces in place if that helps. Then you want to apply tape on both sides so it covers the full 3/8 strip and extends onto the other bigger piece by at least an inch to 1 1/2 inches. If you use 3 inch wide ripstop tape you would fold it in half or draw a line on the tape and apply half the width of tape one one side of the repair, have the fold at the bottom good edge of the 3/8 strip, then fold up and cover the same area from the other side. Trim whatever excess tape sticks out the edges if you didn't pre-trim the tame to length needed. Run a zig zag stitch along the top edge of the tape - the edge that is furthest from the tear and in at least 1/8 inch from the edge. if you can do a 3 step zig zag even better - where each zig and zag is 3 stitches.
Now stitch it back into place following the original stitch line and trying to match the stitch length etc so you are not making a lot of extra holes. Also match the thread thickness if possible, thread that is too thin will just cut the material when pressure loaded.

Jeff mentioned other options like remove the small Torn D rib, copy the pattern onto a new piece of material making sure you match the grain direction and replace the entire piece.

Let me know if that made sense, i can draw some pictures if you like
Mark

Kcleelaws - 1-11-2016 at 09:12 AM

Thanks markite, Jeff, and offaxis. I am waiting on a rep from HQ USA to review the photos. I think I got some better pics. And there doesn't seem to be any problems with the stitching any where I can see. Yes it did leave the end of the piece still stitched in. There are 5 things sewn together there, the top and bottom skin, the piece that tore away and the other end of the same part of the adjacent cell, and the center most bridle attachment point on the left side. It looks quite easy to repair to me. I don't think I'll be intimidated to do it myself, I've sewn bunches of things and I could actually get my wife's sewing machine in to that spot easily. But I'm going to see if hq will do it before I do. I don't want any problems using the warranty if I need to. As power kite go the Beamer vi 5m was somewhat inexpensive but $400 is still not cheap to me. Lol and it took months to talk my wife into letting me get it. Any how I'll post back here when I hear back from hq

Kcleelaws - 2-11-2016 at 11:31 AM

Ok, so Robert at HQ said they can't fix it under warranty but said it's about as easy of a fix as it could be and suggested fixmykite.com also, and said it would likely be about $15 to have fixed. I ordered ripstop nylon tape. I'm going to look at lock-stitch awls this afternoon at a craft store and see how thin of needles I can get to work with waxed nylon thread of about the same size the factory stitching on my kite. I still may take it or send it in for repairs but I might just try myself, depends on how I feel after trying the sewing awl on a practice seam or 2

OffAxis - 2-11-2016 at 12:07 PM

$15? Send that baby in an get it fixed professionally! Sounds like a no brainier in my opinion.

bigkid - 2-11-2016 at 12:09 PM

I would send it to fixmykite. If they screw up they will make it right. They did a few of my big expensive kites years ago. They are still flying. Besides, 15.00 bucks? You'll pay that much for the thread.

Kcleelaws - 2-11-2016 at 01:11 PM

Ok, well I guess that settles it. I'll send it to them. I have a thing for being able to do things myself, but at this point my knowledge about my kite limited to flight and not repair. Thanks again fellas!

Kcleelaws - 2-11-2016 at 01:22 PM

I aught to get another kite so if one is down I can still go have fun. I have been taking just my ATB out for down hill trail riding, which is fun too and helps my kiteboarding confidence. I should get a 3-4 meter to have a wider variety of wind I can safely use too.

bigkid - 2-11-2016 at 02:03 PM

Only another? hahahahahahahahagaha
yeah right!

Kcleelaws - 2-11-2016 at 02:13 PM

Yeah it's a hard sell to my wife. And right now I'm not working. But once I'm done with school and done being a stay at home dad I'm hoping to have a collection, and I really want a buggy

bigkid - 2-11-2016 at 02:31 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Kcleelaws

and I really want a buggy

my wife's favorite color is yellow. I had to buy a yellow buggy in order to get an ok. I didn't tell her it cost 1200.00, only said it was a good deal and it was her buggy. She laughed and said I will have to ask her if I can borrow it the next time I want to go out and play. I was a good kid and got to go out and play a lot.:saint:

abkayak - 2-11-2016 at 04:19 PM

Yea...u should get 2 more kites, just to make a statement..u gotta declare in the house or all is lost...jusayin

JimSSI - 2-11-2016 at 05:39 PM

FYI- Probably more in the $50-100 range. Had them fix my Hydra 3.5 last year - "Spoke with Brent on Monday, April 6, 2015. Rough Estimate was $50 for tabs/grommets/brake line and $80-$100 for baffles/seams."

They did brilliant work - repair warrantied for life o'kite - but not thinking $15 gets her done.

abkayak - 2-11-2016 at 06:56 PM

I think 15$ is the postage

hiaguy - 2-11-2016 at 06:58 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Kcleelaws

... a stay at home dad

Are you kidding me?! Why hasn't anyone offered that flying kites is a family affair? It doesn't matter how old the kids are... they need kites! :wee:
(Seriously, though, both my kids are great pilots and on the rare occasion that I can get them to the park, it's a Kodak moment for ol' dad.)

markite - 3-11-2016 at 08:23 AM

I'd go with your feeling on wanting to learn how to repair your own kite. This is a good straight forward fairly easy repair. You will be out the cost to ship both ways plus repair cost plus the time without your kite. if you have repair tape you could easily do this one evening and even taking longer your first repair you might take a couple of hours (much quicker when you feel comfortable sewing).
Just use a sewing machine, don't bother with an awl.

i remember many years ago when we all flew stunt kites and then everyone started making their own and i would laugh when a bunch of guys would show up in the park on weekends and there would be a dozen of us all discussing machines and sewing etc. Remember all the "professional" repair guys are people that started with their own repairs and making their own kites. it's just a matter of sewing clean stitches and having some proper materials to use to make the repairs... most of it is time and some kites are just a pain to take apart and work inside out etc.
I'm amazed at the people that will buy pigtails or simple line extensions etc on line and will say they would rather spend the 20-50 to buy professional when you can make identical yourself, same materials, same quality (or better) for a few dollars if you have the materials on hand.

I understand doing repairs isn't for everyone and in many cases having it done properly or under warranty is the way to go but in this case take the leap of faith, it's a small area and if you are concerned about screwing up things taking it apart don't unpick the stitch, just sew that end of the repaired D rib back along the same stitch line having an extra row of stitching in there.

I know you can do it :thumbup:

jimbocz - 3-11-2016 at 09:36 AM

I've had a few old Beamers (I think they were the III version) and I smacked the living crap out of them while learning to buggy. Then I let my wife and great aunt thwack them into the ground at speed several times as well. No damage. I always assumed Beamers were indestructible and never worried about letting anybody thrash them mercilessly.

Did you do something special? Are the new Beamers a bit more fragile?

BTW, $15 is a great deal for that repair. I must admit that I had a few PKD Busters and Broozas with blown cells, not all my fault. Some weren't worth fixing and actually flew just fine. Some were fixed and it cost way more than that.

bigkid - 3-11-2016 at 10:54 AM

I looked up the last kite I sent to fixmykite and it was a total cost of 67.00 with shipping.
The kite landed on the back side of a log at the beach. The log was use in a bonfire the night before, and melted 8 areas of a brand new 10m race kite. I was happy with the repairs for the most part. Who would use white thread to sew on a black patch on a black kite? Good thing sharpies come in black.
I did invest in a hobby sewing machine for future repairs. My patch material and thread collection is worth quite a bit more than the sewing machine. Now I can sew up my Jammie's as well as kites and harnesses.

Kcleelaws - 3-11-2016 at 11:34 AM

I sent pics and a description to fixmykite.com, we'll see what they have to say. I've also ordered ripstop tape and the awl. I would feel pretty confident if I did do it myself, but if I can't beat their deal in going to just spend some time away from my kite and send it to them. I very much intend to get my daughter into flying but I think she needs to wait a couple more years. She is 16 months old

, cute little stinker has a doozy of a head cold. Not many of my buddies get the power kite thing, to them I'm a bored middle aged dude flying a little stunt kite. There's a couple interested in going but they think I'll let them start on the Beamer. I've got a symphony beach 2.2 for that. When I show them videos, they get it. I had fine wind yesterday, but sadly I took my mountain board out by its self and hit the trails for a bit.

Kcleelaws - 3-11-2016 at 11:43 AM

I've been thinking about trying to make a kite out of tyvek. That stuff is crazy strong. I feel like I can make the kite alright after a couple attempts maybe, but the bridle and attachment points I think would be the hard part. I don't exactly have high hopes but it would be fun to play with.

Kcleelaws - 3-11-2016 at 11:44 AM

Update, the minimum fixmykite.com quote from pics is 45$+ and 12$ shipping. I'll get a final price after they get it. Still pretty reasonable.

Kcleelaws - 17-11-2016 at 10:49 AM

Well I went ahead and just stitched it up myself. I took it out in some great wind on Saturday. Holding up just fine. I'll send it for repairs when there is more extensive damage. I used the ripstop tape and stitched it with my awl and a fine sewing machine needle with 20lb test spiderwire Dyneema fishing line. it's green but I think I like being able to see the fix I did so I can remove it without messing with the other stitching. I have a tattoo session Saturday night, probably have to leave the kite alone for a week or 2 while my side heals. Looking forward to finally finishing my big ass torso piece but not to the healing time. Last time I waited a week to fly and my fresh ink cracked and scarred a little. No more tattoos on my stomach or chest after this. Anything pulls on the tight scabby skin, especially flying power kites.

abkayak - 17-11-2016 at 11:23 AM

that seals it for me...never getting a tattoo

Kcleelaws - 17-11-2016 at 11:27 AM

Yeah I started it 4 years ago at least. Been trying to get it finished the last 6 months which has kept me away from my kite about half the time, bummer but I'm glad I have one more session left.

Windstruck - 17-11-2016 at 01:06 PM

Quote: Originally posted by abkayak

that seals it for me...never getting a tattoo

Like you needed a kite related reason??? :borg: