Hand Sewing Ripstop Nylon

[downunder]

Bin it.

If is old kite the valves are no good anyway...If is a new kite, sure, go for it.

[JakeFarley]

Bin it.

If is old kite the valves are no good anyway...If is a new kite, sure, go for it.

Thought about that as the kite is 10+ years old, but the valves are all good and the kite held air for 2+ hours after I washed it. Figured I would give a try mending it for the experience.

[Herman]

I have a old kite that I retired from the water after a trip across the rocks. It had multiple tears but none more than 6ins long and, fortunately, no seams were involved. I repaired it with spinnaker tape on the outside and tarp tape on the inside. No stitching. I use it for occasional buggy or beach practice. The spinnaker tape is still holding after about 5yrs but the tarp tape glue perished and I replaced the inside repairs with more spinnaker tape after approx 4years. I would point out that is with very little UV exposure. I would generally avoid stitching unless a seam is involved, or fully loaded use is expected.

However in your climate stitching may be needed. As previously said zig zag is a little harder to keep neat than straight. The 2 needle method I referred to is commonly called saddle stitch if you want to Google it.

PS I clean well with meths or alcohol and use a roller & hairdryer to bed the tape down. Round the cut ends of the tape. If you decide to get a m/c look out for one that can do triple Z stitch.

[ELI]

Yard sale sewing machines can be Very cheap

[GregK]

Do a bit of hand stitching and you'll see why sewing machines were invented ...

[downunder]

Also note, s/m on yard might be a dog...
Spent double for servicing it plus a new foot paddle.

It did pay for itself tho

[OzBungy]

Spinnaker repair tape is best. It's cheap and not too thick. There is no need to sew the tape, the glue is more than strong enough. If the tape goes over a sewn seam then you might like to resew that portion.

I usually clean the torn edges with a little alcohol (methylated spirits) and a cotton ball. Don't be too aggressive, you just want to get any grease or oils off the fabric so the glue will stick.

Apply tape on both sides. I like to tack the tear with ordinary tape so it's easy to apply the spinnaker tape neatly.

You can offset the edges of the tape to avoid a thick edge (that's not so important).

Round the corners of the tape to stop the corners from peeling off.

Once the spinnaker tape is in place I like to "iron" it using a bottle filled with hot water to set the glue. Just roll it back and forth along the tape.

[Kitemenn]

Spinnaker repair tape is best. It's cheap and not too thick. There is no need to sew the tape, the glue is more than strong enough. If the tape goes over a sewn seam then you might like to resew that portion.

I usually clean the torn edges with a little alcohol (methylated spirits) and a cotton ball. Don't be too aggressive, you just want to get any grease or oils off the fabric so the glue will stick.

Apply tape on both sides. I like to tack the tear with ordinary tape so it's easy to apply the spinnaker tape neatly.

You can offset the edges of the tape to avoid a thick edge (that's not so important).

Round the corners of the tape to stop the corners from peeling off.

Once the spinnaker tape is in place I like to "iron" it using a bottle filled with hot water to set the glue. Just roll it back and forth along the tape.

Good tips ^^^^ instead of ironing I like to use a hairblower, make sure not to keep it too close. Also use painting tape to pre set the tear and start with the other side to apply the spinaker tape, remove the painting tape and apply spinaker on that side as well. Make sure to clean with alchohol before applying the tapes.

[evan]

Once the spinnaker tape is in place I like to "iron" it using a bottle filled with hot water to set the glue. Just roll it back and forth along the tape.

Setting the glue with heat is one of the most important steps that gets skipped too often besides a good alcohol cleaning. You can also use a heat gun or hair dryer and rub the tape in with your fingers if you are careful enough not to melt the cloth.

[revhed]

Another idea implemented many times
Make simple "light box" a piece of glass supported with light source under, can be as simple as food cans on corners of glass about 50cm x 50 depending repair size, light bulb in between table and
As said ripstop cleaned alcohol pure
With help or alone using tape to align ripstop tears together using grid to get as near perfect match as possible, light up thru glass and ripstop easy to see
stick WHITE ripstop self adhesive patches, almost transparent, while keeping alignment should be able to also see thru this for confirmation
if not as perfect as wanted redo
When pleased use rigid spoon to press tape into place
Flip repair, assure is flat on glass and again check alignment
Use "AQUASURE" applied as thin as possible on White, clear ripstop tape and stick where needed, 2 cm overlap each side of rip, tear works
Add layer of Seran wrap,( brand name) any kitchen film or thin plastic material over patch, press with fingers, no folds wrinkles,and, or spoon to squeeze out excess poly glue, wipe off
reapply kitchen wrap and add another clean glass sheet over, final control of patch repair quality, add some weight to top glass and let dry, cure
This is so easy! Fast, lite, cheap, durable. NEVER had failure
R H