Tubing Repair

One of the most popular winter entertainments is downhill skiing on tubing, which is popularly known as a “cheesecake”. This device is made of durable reinforced fabric. However, it can be damaged, and this applies to both the outer cover and the rubberized chamber.

You can highlight some of the problems that most often arise among owners of tubing.

• Burst camera. This happens when several people simultaneously ride a tubing at the same time, and at the same time their combined weight exceeds all permissible norms. Pumping the camera in freezing temperatures also leads to such damage. After it is warm, the air inside expands and this also causes a violation of the integrity of the bottom.
• Cut case. Such a nuisance happens if users ride on an unprepared track, as well as if the rider has sharp objects in his pockets that can damage the tubing during the ride.
• Damage such as tear of a rope or handles. The cause of such a problem is excessive effort, the wear of a “cheesecake” or factory marriage.
• Sometimes on products joints diverge - This can happen due to factory defects or with too much inflation.

If the tubing cover is damaged, repair work is carried out in the following sequence:

• A “cheesecake” must be placed on a horizontal surface so that it is possible to easily get to the internal damage;
• the damaged part of the cover is gently rubbed with fine sandpaper;
• a piece of fleece is moistened with acetone, then degreased and the damaged areas are cleaned;
• then you need to measure the cut with a ruler;
• a piece is cut out of the prepared material for the patch so that it is a couple of centimeters larger than the size of the breakthrough;
• all sharp corners on the prepared patch are cut with scissors;
• the patch is degreased with acetone in the same way as the place of damage;
• both surfaces to be bonded are coated with glue as evenly as possible;
• immediately before hitching the tabs, both surfaces should be thoroughly heated with a hairdryer, using hot air;
• the prepared patch is firmly pressed to the case and fixed with a press, after which it is left for 5-7 hours;
• after the allotted time, the press is removed and a cheesecake is left for another 15-20 hours - after this the maximum strength of the hitch will be achieved.

If the damage site is small, then you can try repair the gap on the cover with reinforced tape. In this case, the torn area should be simply sewn up, a piece of adhesive tape is fastened on top of the seam along the inside.

In order to fix the camera in tubing, The following materials and tools should be prepared:

• basin with warm water;
• scissors;
• patch material;
• any solvent;
• fine sandpaper;
• glue.

The sequence of actions step by step includes certain stages.

• First you need to determine exactly where the puncture is. To do this, the product is pumped up and placed in a large tank of water. If you don’t have a basin, you can use the bathtub by filling it halfway. At the puncture site, air bubbles rise upward.
• This area should be marked with a marker.
• The area near the damage is rubbed with sandpaper, then wiped with a cotton swab dipped in solvent. This is necessary in order to ensure the most durable fixation during subsequent work.
• A patch of the required size is cut out of the prepared material so that it is 1-2 cm wider than the parameters of the gap itself.
• Before starting work, the camera must be lowered.
• The glue is evenly distributed over the gap and the patch, after which the latter is fixed to the camera using a press. In this state, the tubing is kept for 2-3 hours until the final drying.

In all other cases, such as, for example, securing a torn cable or replacing damaged handles, special equipment will be required. It is impossible to carry out such work at home without skills, the necessary tools and materials. In this case, it makes sense to refer the tubing to a tire fitting or to any service center that is engaged in the repair of rubber products.

Those who have firmly decided to make repairs with their own hands should pay special attention to the choice of adhesive composition.

Most effective are some tools.

• Texacol. It provides high quality bonding of products from polyurethane and polyvinyl chloride bases, most often included in the repair kit for repairing rubber boats. In order to increase the heat resistance of this composition, a hardener is usually added.

• Liquid patch. It is a monocomponent composition containing special reagents capable of melting the outer layer of the PVC coating. After cooling, such a patch is firmly fixed to the tubing surface.Latka is presented in stores in an extensive color palette, so you can always choose the right tool.

• For some types of damage use reinforced adhesive tape “Moment Super Tape”. It provides fixation of a wide variety of materials, including reinforced canvas. This tool is a three-layer product consisting of polyethylene, fabric, as well as an adhesive layer. It is highly effective in sealing joints, joints, as well as insulation and protection of tubing from water penetration inside. It is noteworthy that this material withstands low temperatures and retains moisture, without even letting in a strong direct flow of water.

In order to reduce the risk of damage to the tubing, certain riding and operating rules should be followed.

1. You can ride exclusively in designated areas.equipped for skiing. Plots with trees and shrubs, poles, sticking out snags and other barriers should be avoided.
2. Do not interlock the tubing with each other - this reduces maneuverability and as a result leads to damage in cases when tubing suddenly collides with an obstacle.
3. Do not sit on one cheesecake together. In extreme cases, the use of one tubing for two people is allowed when riding on a gentle slope.
4. When riding, be sure to hold onto the handles.
5. It is not recommended to inflate tubing above the established norm. A properly inflated chamber should simply spread the shell, but nothing more.

In addition, it is strictly forbidden to use cheesecake sleds:

• in a state of drug and alcohol intoxication;
• for ski jumping;
• for driving from icy or ski slopes.

It is not allowed to use a cheesecake for towing a snowmobile, a car or any other vehicles. Also in the summer, you should not attach it to boats and ride on water.

For how to glue the tubing cover, see the next video.