Small tear in kite

[Beardytello]

Hi chaps,

When I was packing up the other day I noticed a small (2cm) tear in my canopy, quite close to the leading edge.

What is the preferred method of repair? I was just going to bosh some sail tape on it and be done....good idea or no?

[sarc]

Google. 2CM needs Tear-aid type A on both sides; or sail repair ripstop tape +sewing.

[Beardytello]

Ah google! I just did the thing I hate.
http://lmgtfy.com/

[kite_hh]

Sail repair tape (Spinnaker tape) should be fine.
Make sure surface is clean and fat free, use on both sides, and round the edges.

[cglazier]

Sail repair tape (Spinnaker tape) should be fine.
Make sure surface is clean and fat free, use on both sides, and round the edges.

Correct. Sail repair tape is rip stop polyester which is the same material as the kite canopy. If you are in a cold climate you should apply a bit of heat to set the adhesive.
Do not use Tear Aid (it is stretchy and does't provide strength). Do not use duct tape (it is weak and makes a mess).
In a pinch you can use Tuck Tape (a construction product) but it is bright red and ugly.

CG

[Beardytello]

Thanks guys

[FLandOBX]

+1 (cglazier post). ^^

Since the tear is near the LE, keep an eye on it. The material around the LE experiences more stress than material in the body of your canopy. If you notice any stretching or stress within the tear or around the ripstop patch, you could stitch the edges of the patch for more strength. But usually, stitching isn't necessary for a tear this small (2 cm).

[knotwindy]

Also been told it is a good idea to off set the two patches (top & bottom) a bit so the edges don’t line up exactly. Something about a stiff sharp edge creating a future problem with flapping/flexing. Anybody else know more about this?

[edt]

You should never use both sides, only use one side for sail tape for a canopy repair. It is more than strong enough to match the strength of the canopy and the extra tape makes the canopy too stiff in that one section so when it flaps, it will wear just outside the repair area. For holes less than about 1/4 inch or 5mm you don't need anything else. Larger holes you should sew it just a few stitches is enough. This is not for structural strength it is merely to prevent the tape from moving around over time, same reason that you put a lock stitch on a splice. For leading edge repairs no amount of sail tape is strong enough you have to get a section of dacron and sew the repair on. I know a lot of people believe taping both sides is better, but over time (3 or 4 years later) I have seen these sorts of repairs wear worse than single sided taping. Not a huge deal taping one or both sides as you can tell it takes a long time for the difference to show but you should tape only one sided anyway just because it's easier and I do think it ends up being stronger.

[or6]

Interesting theory, edt. I'm inclined to believe you. So what side do you tape the kite? Inside or out?