Repairing a zodiac seam that came unglued

rwerner43

Seaman
Joined
Dec 2, 2005
Messages
66
I have read some good advice in the forum on repairing my zodiac. I have a lower seam that has come loose, about 4", and i was able to pull it back to about a total of 14" seperated.

Question is, when using the MET to clean it, do I have to clean it down to bare pvc? I have cleaned it and cleaned it and although it seems to be cleaned of glue, it is still stained yellowish in some spots.

What are the rules here?

Thanks!
 

NYGiants

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 3, 2009
Messages
582
Re: Repairing a zodiac seam that came unglued

you need have it as clean as possible, same thing happened to me. the glue is very iffy you have to have the proper temperature and humidity i believe, its a bear to do right
 

rwerner43

Seaman
Joined
Dec 2, 2005
Messages
66
Re: Repairing a zodiac seam that came unglued

I am using a scrub pad and MET and it is barely coming off. I figure the 14" will take 3-4 hours to get it completely clean. If it is smooth and not sticky is that good enough, or should I invest the time?
 

lncoop

Vice Admiral
Joined
Apr 18, 2010
Messages
5,147
Re: Repairing a zodiac seam that came unglued

Obviously you want it as clean as possible, but your only objective is to insure a good bond. If you're confident the old adhesive has been removed I'd say rough 'er up and go for it. That said, instead of MEK (I assume that's what you mean when you say MET), you might try a little Toluene. If you do decide to give Toluene a shot BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL as it's typically used on Hypalon boats, not PVC. It's really aggressive stuff and could do a number on your PVC if you used too much and/or left it on there too long. You should be able to find it at a paint store or ACE Hardware.
 

Sea Rider

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 20, 2008
Messages
12,345
Re: Repairing a zodiac seam that came unglued

Just remove completely old glue from both fabric sides to be smooth, pvc does not need to be sanded as hypalon fabric does, follow 2 part glue procedures, forget about yelowish stains as longs as there is no old glue still attached to fabric.

Happy Boating
 

rwerner43

Seaman
Joined
Dec 2, 2005
Messages
66
Re: Repairing a zodiac seam that came unglued

Thanks guys. MEK, yes, not MET :)

Will finish it tomorrow.
 

lncoop

Vice Admiral
Joined
Apr 18, 2010
Messages
5,147
Re: Repairing a zodiac seam that came unglued

Good luck. Let us know how she turns out.
 

Sea Rider

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 20, 2008
Messages
12,345
Re: Repairing a zodiac seam that came unglued

According to my Zodiac tecnician, MEK is used as a fabric conditioner, you could clean old glue with Toluene and then slight re clean with Mek to prepare fabric for bonding. If using MEK alone, use in small portions as it tends to soften and gummy pvc fabrics if product abussed.

Happy Boating
 

Peter_C

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 7, 2009
Messages
193
Re: Repairing a zodiac seam that came unglued

I used acetone to clean my glue off. MEK was a pre-glue prep wipe.

With a gallon and a half of acetone, and more than a few pads of scuffy pad, I was able to get the glue off fairly easily without taking much of my PVC off. Chemical gloves, and a chemical mask help keep the nasty chemicals out of my body.
 

zodiac340m

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jan 21, 2011
Messages
226
Re: Repairing a zodiac seam that came unglued

Just remove completely old glue from both fabric sides to be smooth, pvc does not need to be sanded as hypalon fabric does, follow 2 part glue procedures, forget about yelowish stains as longs as there is no old glue still attached to fabric.

Happy Boating

Hi Sea rider, how you doing? I have been locked out of this forum for a long time. No matter how I tried I couldnt get it. So just installed new browser and I am back in.

I notice on my Transom of my Zodiac some small piece of PVC is not stuck to the other side its about 2 inches in length. Should I just leave it be? its at the bottom of the inside right of the floor to transom area?
 

Sea Rider

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 20, 2008
Messages
12,345
Re: Repairing a zodiac seam that came unglued

Hola Zodie,

Welcome back, sib seems at dry port for unwanted maintenance issues :D, post a pic to have a better idea ? Local cracy unstable weather has changed dramatically, sunny days with nice temperature, no wind and boating near daily, we're 3 months ahead from 2012 January-March summer, and that means a 6 months boating relax...

If Zodiac under warranty and dealer near you, he should take care of that transom problem, not you.

Happy Boating
 
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