Corpusfishing.com

FishinClint · Horse Mullet Joined: 29 Apr 2011 Posts: 151

Howdy!

Posted this on TKF forum...

If anybody is looking for a good adhesive to use on kayak plastic (PE-polyethylene), check this out...G-Flex made by West System. It works on a wide variety of materials and is waterproof (not to be confused with Water Resistant or Very Water Resistant) so it can be used above or below the waterline. If you go to the website, be sure to go to the links at the bottom: G/flex Video Demo, G/flex Kayak Repair Torture, G/flex Adhesion Data & Surface Prep Information. The chainsaw video made me a believer.
http://www.westsystem.com/ss/g-flex-epoxy/

I used G-Flex to repair an abandoned kayak I found that had two holes drilled into it. One on the bottom, going up into the right rear scupper and the second through the tip of the stern. Both repairs were difficult because of size, shape, and location. I was not comfortable trying plastic welds myself and wasn't going to invest too much in a damaged yak that I found. So I found PE sheets sold here in San Antonio, cut and shaped them, and epoxied them with the G-Flex. The key is to make sure the material surfaces are treated properly before applying the epoxy.

That was about a year ago and the yak has been in fresh and saltwater numerous times and even run aground on oyster reefs and gravel bars. I've paddled across lakes 25-50 feet deep and yakked baits out in the surf with it. No leaks or any other problems yet.

Hope this info helps some of you with your kayak repairs or rigging. P.S. I was able to buy it at a local marine boating store in SA. It was pricy compared to other adhesives but they price matched where I bought it. It's worth asking if you find it in Corpus/The Bluff.

Tyler · Site Admin Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 12865

Thanks for the info!
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justletmein · Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 1:29 pm Post subject:

Hey which store here in SA did you get it at? I'm picking up a damaged yak in a few weeks with a weird crack in it and this might work perfectly for me.
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JJ

FishinClint · Horse Mullet Joined: 29 Apr 2011 Posts: 151

justletmein: The store is West Marine right off North Loop 410 and Blanco. Exit Blanco heading inside the loop. Make the second right and they are in the corner of the strip mall closest to Blanco. Google Map it if I wasn't very clear, they're very easy to find. Not sure how big the crack is but this epoxy is not as thick as typical sealants. It has a consistency similar to honey (maybe a bit thicker) so it can run depending on the kayak position and where the repair needs to be.

If anyone wants more specific info/tips, PM me and we can go from there. I found a few tricks that may help make things go smoother. I plan to get a photobucket account so I can post photos of my repairs (and fishing reports).

stxoutdoors · Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 4:34 pm Post subject:

Heated gorilla tape works excelent as well
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rawlbay · Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 4:45 pm Post subject:

Good to know there is an epoxy product out there that appears to be designed for this application and, importantly, is readily available locally. In my limited experience, plastic welding is a pain in even the supplest of bums. Thanks for the info.
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