Vinyl roof - small repairs?

SoloNomad · November 10, 2020, 14:01

I've got some very small sort of crack in the vinyl at the fold in the middle part of the roof at either side at the top of the windows - sorry no photos so hope the description makes sense?

I'm wondering if there's a small repair kit available, something like a puncture repair kit for a bike inner tube type thing, like a small patch you can glue on and wrap around. No leaks but over time I'm wondering if this might slowly get longer so want to stop it in it's tracks.

Admittedly I don't even know how easy it is to access this bit as I won't be able to look until the weekend, but if anyone can point me towards something that might work that's be fab!

Chilli Girl · November 10, 2020, 14:47

Sadly, this is a common area for roofs to start cracking. Mine is further down nearer the bodywork. It's a difficult area to get at - I've used black mastic, it's a messy job but so far it's held up ok for me. Eventually, it will just be a case of replacing the roof, after all the very newest 2 is now 14/15 yrs old! There have been postings on this back on 24th September if you search.

Joesson · November 10, 2020, 15:18

A @Chilli Girl mentioned there was some recent discussion on this subject. I would add that the roof is a vinyl/ plastic material and that material is not the easiest to bond well to. In general terms to stop a split lengthening or beginning in some materials it is good practice to drill a hole at the required stop point. Not practical on a vinyl on cloth roof but maybe heat would stop the vinyl crack, maybe the tip of a soldering iron and then the mastic as Chilli mentioned.
I don 't know of many/ any kids vinyl pools / pool toys that are successfully repaired, put that is perhaps the area to look for a repair kit that may have better success than on a lightweight pool / toy material. Long term it's the Swansea route, although other supply and fit is available at greater cost.

Bossworld · November 10, 2020, 15:36

I have a tiny one on mine, I tried using Sugru before which blended very nicely but the crack was so small that the piece eventually just fell back out. Similar story with stormsure, which kind of backs up Joesson's point regarding adhesion to vinyl.

Not sure if there's much you can do, other than mastic as Jane said.

SoloNomad · November 10, 2020, 15:43

Ah thanks, looked back and saw your post - how's it holding up?

I keep forgetting it's 17 years old!

Did wonder about a bit of stitching? Probably depend on the tension in the area.

Also seen 'stormsure' mentioned when googling the subject. I found someone on ebay who does a small kit with some stormsure glue and small vinyl patches so might try that, mine are literally a couple of mm's long but it'll bug me if I leave it.

SoloNomad · November 10, 2020, 15:48

Yeah, I've never glued vinyl to vinyl before so I'll do some experimenting first ... mmm, wonders if a gel superglue might work?

AdamR28 · November 10, 2020, 16:18

HH-66 vinyl cement sticks very well.

Patching neatly... not so easy!

1979scotte · November 10, 2020, 16:23

Quote from: AdamR28 on November 10, 2020, 16:18HH-66 vinyl cement sticks very well.

Patching neatly... not so easy!

Sounds pricey but if it works could save the price of a new roof.

SoloNomad · November 10, 2020, 17:15

That HH-66 looks very good - saw a youtube video, expensive stuff though! Maybe there should be a 'club' kit that goes around of some vinyl and cement so people can do repairs until a new roof is definately needed, or affordable.

Joesson · November 10, 2020, 17:19

Quote from: 1979scotte on November 10, 2020, 16:23
Quote from: AdamR28 on November 10, 2020, 16:18HH-66 vinyl cement sticks very well.

Patching neatly... not so easy!

Sounds pricey but if it works could save the price of a new roof.

While I do like to repair that which is repairable, and I am unencumbered by the need to work and thus have time available I learnt before my teens that some things are unrepairable. My brother, many years my senior bought some LP records 2 or 3, brought them home and placed them on a chair that I then sat on.

AdamR28 · November 10, 2020, 17:28

Quote from: SoloNomad on November 10, 2020, 17:15That HH-66 looks very good - saw a youtube video, expensive stuff though! Maybe there should be a 'club' kit that goes around of some vinyl and cement so people can do repairs until a new roof is definately needed, or affordable.

Happy to post mine around if necessary

SoloNomad · November 10, 2020, 17:46

Might take you up on that, I've ordered the ebay kit which has more vinyl than I need so I'll experiment first and see how the glue holds. Would be good if you could just send small amounts out, probably only need a tablespoon of the stuff for most small repairs, maybe a well sealed film canister? ... Can you still get those?