Operation of inflatable watercraft inevitably leads to wear of structural elements, and one of the first problems faced by the owner, is the destruction of the water. lyctrossThis reinforcement cord, which is glued into the slots along the sides, is responsible for the rigidity of the structure and the correct fit of the cylinders to the bottom. When the old sticker dries or breaks, the boat loses its hydrodynamic properties, and the cylinders begin to walk when you gain speed, and restoring this assembly is a critical task, requiring accuracy and understanding the chemistry of the gluing of polyvinyl chloride.
Many owners PVC boats It is wrongly believed that replacing the cord is a simple procedure that does not require special knowledge, but this is where the risk of a fatal error lies. The lyctros will be removed at the most inopportune moment.In this article, we will examine not only the sequence of actions, but also nuances that are often missed in standard manuals, including working with hard-to-reach areas at the transom.
The quality of this work directly affects the life of the entire product, so the approach should be professional, even if you are doing it for the first time in a garage. hairdryerWe'll take a look at how to get your boat back to its factory rigidity and reliability.
Diagnosis of condition and choice of materials
Before you start to act, you need to do a thorough inspection of the current state of the grooves. Often the cord itself is intact, but the glue that holds it has completely lost its properties and turned into a crumb. Visually, this manifests itself as bloating along the side or sagging balloon. lyctrose It can be easily removed with a finger or with light tension, you can not delay, and ignoring the problem will lead to the fact that when you pump the boat to working pressure, the balloon deforms, creating excessive resistance to water.
The key to success is choosing the right adhesive. The market offers many options, but for the best of our ability. polyvinyl chloride Not everyone is good. Using universal adhesives or "moments" for household use is a serious mistake that is guaranteed to lead to re-repairs in the season. You need a two-part polyurethane adhesive specifically designed for the boat industry, which provides an elastic seam that withstands constant cycles of compression and stretching as water and air temperature change.
⚠️ Warning: Never use cyanacrylate-based adhesives ("superglue") to stick the lyctross! They create a rigid, brittle joint that will burst at the first serious load on the bend of the side.
Besides the glue, you'll need a new cord. The old one, even if it looks whole, is better not to be reused, as its structure may have been disrupted by ultrafilene and salts. lyctross It matches the groove of your boat — usually 4, 5 or 6 mm. Also, stock up on a quality degreasing agent, such as acetone or a special solvent for PVC, and rags that leave no pile.
Technology of dismantling of old lyctross
The most time-consuming step is removing the remnants of the old cord and cleaning the canal. The process requires patience, because you have to be careful not to damage the PVC fabric that the sideboard is made of. Start by heating the site with a building hairdryer. The temperature should not be extremely high, it is enough to heat the glue to a state of plasticity. Carefully putting the cord on with a thin screwdriver or a special spatula, pull it out of the groove. Don't abrute so as not to tear the fabric.
Once the main body of the cord is removed, there will be a layer of old glue inside the channel. It needs to be removed completely. You can use a blunt knife or a scraper, but you need to be very careful. If the glue is too hard, apply heating again. Some craftsmen recommend using special chemical washes, but you need to be extremely careful not to dissolve the material of the boat. Your goal is to get a clean, dry surface inside the groove.
The final stage of preparation is degreasing. Even if the visual channel seems clear, there are microscopic particles of fat and dust on the walls that will prevent the new glue from attaching to the base. Rub the inside of the groove with a rag soaked in the degreaser. Let the surface dry for 10-15 minutes. Only then you can consider the preparation complete and go to gluing.
☑️ Preparation for pasting
Surface preparation and primer
The quality of bonding depends on the preparation of the surfaces. After degreasing, many people skip the priming step, considering it optional, but for the purpose of the process, the process of gluing is not necessary. two-component This is critical. The primer activates the surface of the PVC, making it chemically active for better adhesion. Apply the primer in a thin layer not only inside the channel, but on the new lyctross itself, and this creates the perfect conditions for adhesion.
Notice the condition of the tissue around the groove, if you happen to be too aggressive when you dismantle, and you get villi or micro-bullying, you need to smooth them out or remove them carefully, and the surface needs to be smooth, and you also need to check if there's moisture inside the layered fabric, and if the boat has been wet for a long time, you need to dry it thoroughly at room temperature before you start, otherwise the moisture will turn into vapor and the adge will swell.
⚠️ Attention: Work on bonding PVC carried out only in a dry room at a temperature not lower than +15 C and humidity up to 60%. High humidity will make the seam cloudy and unstable.
When applying a primer, use a clean brush or rag. Do not allow the primer to hit the outer, visible part of the board unless you plan to glue anything there, as it may leave indelible traces. Let the primer dry according to the instructions on the jar - usually this takes 15 to 30 minutes. The surface should become matte and slightly sticky to the touch, but do not soil the hands.
The process of pasting a new cord
Now, to the most critical point, the application of the glue. Mix the components of the glue in the proportion specified by the manufacturer (usually 100:4 or 100:6), and mix thoroughly to a homogeneous mass. Remember that after mixing, you have a limited time to work (the viability of the mixture), so do not cook too much glue at once if you do not have experience of fast work. Apply the glue evenly on the walls of the channel and on yourself. lyctroseThe layer must be sufficient, but not excessive, so that the glue does not squeeze out when pressed.
An important technical nuance: after applying the glue, you have to wait for what's called "open exposure," which is the time it takes to vaporize the solvent from the adhesive layer. It's usually 15-20 minutes. The surface stops sticking to the fingers, but it retains stickiness. If you glue the surfaces too early, there will be solvent bubbles in the seam, if too late, the glue will lose adhesion. Inser the cord into the channel, starting with the nose or from the transom, and press it tightly as you move along the length of the side of the side, use a small curl in a smooth handle.
Pay special attention to the corners and turns. In these places, the cord is most tense. Make sure it sits tightly in the channel along the entire length, without hinges or sagging. If the cord is too thick and does not want to go in, do not push it with force - it is better to increase the amount of glue slightly or stretch the cord slightly before sticking. After installing it, walk along the seam once again, ensuring tight contact of the glued surfaces.
What to do if the glue freezes too quickly?
If you mix too much glue and it starts to thicken in the jar, you can't use it anymore. Adding a solvent won't restore its properties, it'll only spoil the structure. You'll have to prepare a new portion by thoroughly cleaning the containers of frozen residues, because they can become centers of crystallization and accelerate the deterioration of the new mixture.
Sealing and finishing
Once the cord is inserted, additional sealing of the joints is often required, especially in places where the lyctross fits the transom or the plugs. If the glue is out during the operation, it must be removed immediately before it freezes. Use a rag moistened in a solvent. The frozen glue is removed mechanically, but there is a risk of damaging the aesthetic of the product. Carefully walk along the seam line, forming a smooth roller.
Some craftsmen recommend that after the initial grip (after 2-3 hours) walk along the line of pasting with a thin strip of liquid glue to create an additional protective layer. This is especially true for boats that will be operated in harsh conditions, on rocky banks or with frequent transport in a trailer, such an "armor" will protect the ends of the cord from leaching and mechanical ishers.
Finishing also involves checking the leakiness. Although the lyctros is not an inflatable chamber, its poor-quality paste can create channels for water to enter between the layers of the cylinder tissue. Carefully examine the entire length of the seam. If you find bubbles or bloating, they must be gently punctured with a thin needle, let out air and pressed, if necessary, adding a drop of glue.
Use paint tape to mark the boundaries of the application of glue, which will help to avoid the composition hitting visible parts of the board and make the work more careful.
Drying time and testing
Full polymerization of polyurethane adhesives takes 24 to 72 hours depending on temperature and humidity. Don't rush to pump the boat right after work is done. Early loading of the seam can lead to stratification, because the molecular bonds have not yet gained final strength. Leave the boat in a straightened state at room temperature for at least a day.
The first pump is better done gradually. Pump the cylinders up to 50% of the working pressure and leave for a couple of hours. Then check the seam, if necessary, pump up to 80% and leave again. If the pressure is stable during the day, and the seam does not emit suspicious sounds and does not deform, you can consider the work done successfully. Complete water tests are carried out only after you are fully confident in the reliability of the repair.
Properly pasted lyctross lasts for years, ensuring the rigidity and safety of your boat. Compliance with technology and the use of quality materials is a guarantee that you do not have to return to this issue in the high season.
The main secret of durability is a high-quality cleaning of the channel and compliance with the time of “open exposure” of the glue before gluing.
Comparative table of materials
| Parameter | Two-component polyurethane | single-component glue | Universal glue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strength of the seam | High (constructive) | Medium | Low. |
| Elasticity | High. | Medium | Low. |
| Time for ready time. | 24-48 hours | 12:24 hours. | 24 hours. |
| Resistance to water | 100% | Good. | Weak. |
| Recommendation | For the lyctross. | For minor repairs | Not recommended |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I put lyctross in without removing the cylinders from the boat?
It's theoretically possible, but it's very inconvenient and risky, you'll need perfect access to the channel along the entire length, which is difficult to provide on a assembled boat, and you'll also be at risk of gluing the bottom or other elements with glue, and professionals recommend that you work on removed, washed and dried cylinders.
How to replace a special solvent for PVC during degreasing?
The best and most affordable substitute is acetone or varnish removal fluid (no oils), white spirit is also suitable, but it dries longer, the main requirement is that the solvent should quickly evaporate and not leave a greasy film.
Why does a new lyctross unstick in a week?
It was probably a technology breach, either poorly defatted, not kept open adhesive, or glued at low temperatures, and it could also be caused by moisture entering the seam during operation.
Do I need to clean the inside of the canal?
Mechanical cleaning inside a narrow channel of lyctross is virtually impossible and dangerous. The main job of activating the surface is to have a chemical primer and the right glue, and mechanically you risk damaging the fabric of the balloon.