JWharton Posted October 8, 2017 Report Share Posted October 8, 2017 I've noticed a few holes appearing in the mesh panels in my mid-vent. Just wondering what you guys do about that, a drop of super glue? Or something else? Sent from my SM-G903F using KiteLife mobile app Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwp Posted October 8, 2017 Report Share Posted October 8, 2017 I've heard that you should just leave it and trying to fix it causes more issues but there are probably others with different opinions.Sent from my iPhone using KiteLife mobile app 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ca Ike Posted October 8, 2017 Report Share Posted October 8, 2017 All depends on which mesh and how bad the holes or tears are. I've done everything from a baseball stitch along the tear to the screen patch you can get at Home Depot to full panel and LE mesh replacement. Sent from my iPad using KiteLife mobile app 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riffclown Posted October 8, 2017 Report Share Posted October 8, 2017 Please take a picture and share.. THere are different options but some of those optios depend on what caused the holes.. Make sure the frame is in when you that the picture.. Causes of holes with their solutions Repeated folding same spot -- Repair and reinforce with Dacron patch Sail too tight and a stress point -- Reduce tension and repair/replace mesh. Possible stress strip needed Friction with frame -- Add Backing strip and repair Improper packing -- Repair and adjust packing procedure External impacts -- It happens.. Different levels of repair 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWharton Posted October 8, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2017 It's by an upright and it's not on the fold margin both sides, The sail is only 6 months old[emoji12] Sent from my SM-G903F using KiteLife mobile app Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riffclown Posted October 8, 2017 Report Share Posted October 8, 2017 @JWharton Given the location, I'd personally suggest a wear strip. Looking at the overall condition of your mesh, this was likely an impact or friction tear. But also given the location, this is an area that the tear can quickly grow into a significant problem for you. I've gotten tears like that landing in tall grass before so you might not have noticed when it happened. That being said, your repair can easily be handled by the wear strip upgrade.. They will stabilize the issue and add years to the life of your kite. Talk to @John Barresiabout it as he does provide that service... Given that you are international though, it might be cost effective to do yourself.. Insignia Tape or even the Kevlar type fabric can be sewn to the mesh and will not only fix the problem but prevent future related issues.. http://kitelife.com/forum/store/product/31-wear-stretch-strips/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWharton Posted October 8, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2017 It's exactly the same place both sides, We spoke about wear strips at the clinic just wondering if there was another solution don't have sowing machine don't want one. I will find someone to do it shouldn't be a problem [emoji4] will it change the feel of the sail as it will be going over the vent? Sent from my SM-G903F using KiteLife mobile app Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riffclown Posted October 8, 2017 Report Share Posted October 8, 2017 If it's the same places on both sides, are you sure it didn't come that way? It would be quite odd for that type of damage to happen symmetrically. (unless you fold your kite in half to roll and store) As for the adjustments changing the flying characteristics, I'd say minimally to slightly. I personally wouldn't notice it but a more advanced flier might. Alternate solutions would be to hand stitch back together with good quality thread.. There is no invisible repair here though.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
makatakam Posted October 8, 2017 Report Share Posted October 8, 2017 Where do you keep the uprights when you pack up the kite? Do you roll up the kite part way, put the rods in and roll the rest of the way? The ends of all your spars are quite sharp and abrasive. Make sure that each end of each rod rests inside the kite in a manner that will not affect the mesh or the sail material. Don't roll the kite as tightly or put the uprights outside of the sail in the sleeve. Check the ends of the spars for chips, cracks or uneven cuts. Sand if necessary. Best way to fix and apply prevention at the same time is to install wear strips on the back of the kite and just a dab of cyanoacrylate glue where it is severed to keep it from spreading. If you don't have a sewing machine, find someone who does and knows how to use it. The job is very fast and easy. Research the project here using the search option using "wear strips". Once you have the material cut to size, the sewing takes no more than 20 minutes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWharton Posted October 8, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2017 If it's the same places on both sides, are you sure it didn't come that way? It would be quite odd for that type of damage to happen symmetrically. (unless you fold your kite in half to roll and store) As for the adjustments changing the flying characteristics, I'd say minimally to slightly. I personally wouldn't notice it but a more advanced flier might. Alternate solutions would be to hand stitch back together with good quality thread.. There is no invisible repair here though.. I won't notice then cool[emoji41]Sent from my SM-G903F using KiteLife mobile app Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWharton Posted October 8, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2017 Where do you keep the uprights when you pack up the kite? Do you roll up the kite part way, put the rods in and roll the rest of the way? The ends of all your spars are quite sharp and abrasive. Make sure that each end of each rod rests inside the kite in a manner that will not affect the mesh or the sail material. Don't roll the kite as tightly or put the uprights outside of the sail in the sleeve. Check the ends of the spars for chips, cracks or uneven cuts. Sand if necessary. Best way to fix and apply prevention at the same time is to install wear strips on the back of the kite and just a dab of cyanoacrylate glue where it is severed to keep it from spreading. If you don't have a sewing machine, find someone who does and knows how to use it. The job is very fast and easy. Research the project here using the search option using "wear strips". Once you have the material cut to size, the sewing takes no more than 20 minutes. No the rods get rolled on the leading edge.Sent from my SM-G903F using KiteLife mobile app Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWharton Posted October 8, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2017 Found someone to do the job kites will be gone for a week[emoji22]I'll be praying for a patch of bad weather shortly🤔Sent from my SM-G903F using KiteLife mobile app 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWharton Posted October 13, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2017 Things have gone from bad to worse, the worse thing is my sail will be gone for a week[emoji24]Sent from my SM-G903F using KiteLife mobile app Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Dowler Posted October 13, 2017 Report Share Posted October 13, 2017 Where did you find someone to fix it? I made my own wear strips from insignia tape. Didn't have to sew them either. Just took my time cutting to size and used a laminate roller to secure them down. They lasted several years that way. I would suggest, if using that adhesive tape, to put a small piece on the front side too, otherwise crap will stick to the tape on the exposed front side through the mesh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWharton Posted October 13, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2017 Josh Mitchenson is going to do it[emoji4]Some tape yes! I will find some tomorrow thanks Wayne good thinking, that should do for a couple of weeks and stop my leading edge going any further.Sent from my SM-G903F using KiteLife mobile app 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Dowler Posted October 13, 2017 Report Share Posted October 13, 2017 I was thinking you might use it as vertical wear strips, more than a stop to the LE mesh tearing. But it should work for that too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWharton Posted October 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2017 Going away to the lake District at the end of the month then meeting a few people on the south coast beginning of November, then the sail shall be off for surgery[emoji27] I'll post an update[emoji4]Sent from my SM-G903F using KiteLife mobile app 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWharton Posted November 16, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2017 My b came back today and I'm more than happy with my mods. The wind apparently is going to be 9mph at about 6pm be rude not to give it a test fly.Sent from my SM-G930F using KiteLife mobile app 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
makatakam Posted November 16, 2017 Report Share Posted November 16, 2017 Am I the only one who thinks there's something strange about this photo? If it is intentional, then I salute you. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjkramos Posted November 17, 2017 Report Share Posted November 17, 2017 Am I the only one who thinks there's something strange about this photo? If it is intentional, then I salute you. Lol I’ve been staring at this pic for a while now. I give up. Please tell me what you see. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Barresi Posted November 17, 2017 Report Share Posted November 17, 2017 [emoji23]Sent from my iPhone using KiteLife mobile app Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjkramos Posted November 17, 2017 Report Share Posted November 17, 2017 Ok. I just now see it Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWharton Posted November 17, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2017 The camera never lies🤔is a lie [emoji23][emoji23]🤣Sent from my SM-G930F using KiteLife mobile app Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWharton Posted November 17, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2017 Is the same picture [emoji23]🤣Anyway if anything is wrong I will just say JB told me to do it like that on the quad clinic so it can't be wrong🤣Sent from my SM-G930F using KiteLife mobile app Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Barresi Posted November 17, 2017 Report Share Posted November 17, 2017 Well played sir, well played. 😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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