I was on my trike in the park and my slingshot snowranger kite hit a dumpster and put a 3 foot rip in the back of the sail. Should I tape it or sew it . Where can I get a roll of kite tape? I know they have patches but not a roll. This is a long rip.

Do it right and send it to fixmykite.com. A tape job won't handle that one.

Also check out

http://www.powerzonekitesports.com/home/

He does great work.

yeah ,deffo not a DIY:dunno:

A second nod to powerzone's quality here. My ranger's actually headed to them soon!

I have to respectfully disagree. I think it is a very fixable thing. It absolutely needs to be sewn! Do NOT use the kite fix stuff that is goop!
I am a total hack when it comes to a sewing machine but I can to simple tasks. If you don't know how to do the most basic sewing technique (ie start and stop a stitch) then get someone to teach you that. Its really not hard to learn. Then practice on some old t-shirts!
They sell two types of repair "tape". I use the kind that has sticky back. I use this so that when I sew, I don't need to worry about aligning the edges. Get someone to help when you initially tape the tear! I can't emphasis this enough! Do it on a wood floor. Once it's "taped" together, then sew the edges of the tape. Stop every once in a while and wipe the needle with wd40 to clean the sticky adhesive from the needle or else it will bind and break the thread. On that note... Use Polyester thread not cotton.
All this sounds hard, but if you knew me you'd realize it's not!

I dont want to spend too much money on a kite I only paid $200 brand new. But again I like this kite. thanks flyfish I will try your idea.

Quote:

Originally posted by Flyfish I have to respectfully disagree. I think it is a very fixable thing. It absolutely needs to be sewn! Do NOT use the kite fix stuff that is goop!

I would use kitefix again on my kites, even on a 3 foot tear. As long as it is not on a seam... because, I want to be able to open up the kite again to facilitate repairs.

I first used it in early 2008 on my 15m. It was a 1 foot long dogleg tear on the top skin LE at the shoulder (plus a couple smaller tears on other spot of the LE). The repairs were almost invisible, I had a hard time locating them. The repairs have held up to hot summers, freezing winters, rain, salt water, fresh water, ice, dirt, mutiple slams into the surfaces. Still remains clear too.

I have another 2 foot long dogleg on the other shoulder in the LE also in the top skin that has held up equally as well since mid 2010.

All repairs have held up even in my latest crash which blew out a cell (my first ever since flying arc's back in 2000) on a seam on the bottom skin also on the shoulder toward the TE. This one (2 feet long) will be tackled using traditional methods. Although, I have been playing with the idea of rebuilding the skins next to the torn seam by glueing the material in place with kitefix and stitching the seam. Might be cheaper to sew it all in this case though.

Glue is a very strong repair (with proper prep). No stress risers.

Something like 80% of an aircraft built today is glued together (in composites and structural adhesive bonding).

For example...



FYI, VHB is the type of adhesive use on the adhesive GOPRO mounts.

FWIW: both http://www.powerzonekitesports.com/home/ and http://www.fixmykite.com can provide estimates if you mail them pics and a description of the damage. Costs nothing to find out how much a repair would cost. You might be surprised at how reasonable the rate is.

If you want to do the repair yourself, FixMyKite's retail site can provide you with the repair supplies.

Long, but always worth a watch....


ATB,
Sam

Thanks for the vid wolf .This guy knows his stuff. I will take some pics and see what he says. even if I sent my kite in. I will need to buy a roll of tape for later. thanks again

the easiest send to a pro like powerzone and be done esp. if its fresh gear.

i'm serious hack myself and if its used and you have the TIME to fiddle with it and knowledge of materials/application a simple effective self repair is available.
hacked many a unit with dacron tape and dental floss that still ride. a few machine repairs as well which are better.

adhesive ripstop and then hand sewn is as low buck as it gets IF you HAVE to session tomorrow, which is generally my situation.

good luck, pro repairs retain value better, hacks are generally salvage work if they are large

Phree youre def NOT a hack......................Ive done a few tape and machine sewn repairs on my gear but these were on single skin inflatos.................John at PZ kitesports and fixmykite are awesome........PZ is in Bellingham, WA and Fixmy is in Corpus. Johns reapirs are guaranteed for the life of the kite as are fixmy. Call John since he is an engineer by profession. If he's busy or traveling he will prob refer you to fixmy just to keep you from waiting.....class act he and his wife..........