The Best Inflatables Patch

Buying Guide

Pool floaties, boats and balls are great fun to play with — until they get a hole. Patching up inflatables can be challenging if you don’t have the right materials. Plus, a poorly designed patch can be just as ineffective as doing nothing at all because it can let the air out if it is not attached properly.

When getting an inflatables patch kit, it’s important to make sure it will work with the type of inflatable you have. Most inflatables are usually made from rubber, PVC, polyester, vinyl, canvas or neoprene. However, not all inflatable patches can work with all of those materials — so it’s important to make sure they are compatible with your inflatable.

In addition, you’ll also want to make sure the inflatable patch is compatible with the type of repair you want to make. For example, does the inflatable have a small or large hole? Is it a round tear or a long gash? Is the tear along the seam or in the middle? You’ll want to check that the patch can accommodate the kind of repair you need it to cover.

There are three main styles of inflatable-patch kits. Direct-application kits mean that you will need to glue the edges of the hole on the inflatable together. This is done using sealant. This type of kit is best suited for pinhole-size tears. A patch kit is best for larger holes because they use an adhesive to bond the patch to the inflatable. A peel-and-stick patch kit doesn’t require a separate adhesive as the patch is like a sticker where you just peel off the backing and stick it on the area where there is a tear in the inflatable.

• Be sure to check the drying time on the inflatables patch so you know how long it will take to repair the inflatable – and when you can safely use it again. Some kits take just a few hours while others take more than a day to cure.
• Keep in mind that most inflatable patch kits have a strong smell. This is usually from the adhesive. When applying it to the inflatable, it’s best to work in a well-ventilated area or outdoors to reduce the potency of the odor, especially if you’re sensitive to smells.
• If you’re going to be using the inflatable outdoors, such as in a pool or at the beach, then you will need a repair kit that can help protect the inflatable from UV damage. Otherwise, the repair patch my not adhere to the inflatable correctly and you may end up with another leak.
• If you need to repair something underwater – such as a pool liner – you will need to use an underwater patch kit. This type is especially designed to repair material when it is wet with a unique adhesive.
• In order to minimize holes in your inflatables, it’s important to store them out of the sun. the heat and the UV rays can actually damage the surface of the material and make it more susceptible to break down. You should also avoid wearing any sharp objects near the inflatable, such as jewelry, which can poke holes in the surface.