How to: Fix a Punctured Inflatable Sup Board
Fix that leak in your inflatable SUP Board With these 5 easy-to-follow steps!
Discovering new environments often means that you explore territory that is still unknown to you. Territory that might contain sharp objects like rocks that you do not know of. Those rocks might damage your SUP. Even though most inflatable SUPs boards can take a beating, sometimes a small leak cannot be prevented. Fortunately most brands would sell you aboard with a repair-kit. Next is how to fix properly your board for the long run…?
Follow the steps below to easily fix the leak in your inflatable SUP board and you will be back on the water in no-time! Ever fixed a flat tire? Then fixing your SUP will not be a problem at all. Never fixed a flat tire? After reading this SUP-repair article you will be able to as well!
1. The tools
Your orange Jobe repair-kit contains patches, brushes, glue and a tool-pen. You only have to get scissors to cut the patches and soap and a piece of cloth to clean the surface and you are ready to start the process.
©supworldmag.com / jobe
2. Clean the surface of the leak
Find the leak on your SUP and start cleaning the surface of your SUP (tip: have some problems finding it? Inflate your SUP a little, apply water to the area and see where bubbles appear). Use the soap and apply it to the cloth to clean the SUP.
©supworldmag.com / jobe
©supworldmag.com / jobe
3. Get a patch ready
Cut a piece of the patches that can be found in the repair-kit. Depending on which area of your SUP the leak is found, take the matching color. Use the scissors to cut a piece that is big enough to cover the leak. Once cut, clean it once more with the cloth.
©supworldmag.com / jobe
©supworldmag.com / jobe
4. Apply the glue
Once the patch is ready it is time to apply the glue. Take the brush, put some glue on it and apply it to both the patch ánd the surface on your SUP. Work your way from the center to the edges. Make sure to apply enough glue on the patch and on glue the surface the size of the patch.
©supworldmag.com / jobe
©supworldmag.com / jobe
©supworldmag.com / jobe
5. Apply the patch
Now that there is enough glue you can put the patch on the surface. Make sure to press the patch firmly on the SUP to remove unevenness’s. Once the patch is glued on the SUP, clean the entire area and remove remainders of the glue. If necessary you can use some acetone for that.
©supworldmag.com / jobe
©supworldmag.com / jobe
©supworldmag.com / jobe
6. DONE!
Congratulations; you have just repaired your SUP! We know you cannot wait to get on the water again, but for the best results it is best to wait 24 hours before you do so. That is probably the hardest step in the repair process, but this is advised in order to make sure the glue has completely dried up. However, the rewards will be satisfying! See you on the water again!
Photos and Words: Maikel de Koning. Jobe International
