ahofer Posted February 28, 2011 Report Share Posted February 28, 2011 I discovered some tears in the leading edge mesh of one of my B pros. Should I use the same super glue and Tedlar process I used on a sail tear, or is there a better way to fix these? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Jeepster Posted February 28, 2011 Report Share Posted February 28, 2011 You might consider Jim Foster's method posted over on the IKE forum. Cheers, Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 ahofer Posted February 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2011 Thanks. Ack! Sewing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 rcom714 Posted February 28, 2011 Report Share Posted February 28, 2011 Suck it up big boy!!!!!! Have you seen my LEs? Badge of courage......or the insanely destructive!!!!! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 johnnmitchell Posted March 1, 2011 Report Share Posted March 1, 2011 I discovered some tears in the leading edge mesh of one of my B pros. Should I use the same super glue and Tedlar process I used on a sail tear, or is there a better way to fix these? Seeing as it is a B Pro, you might consult Bazzer and see if he could possibly re-work it for you. Of course that won't be cheap, if he accepts, because you would get awesome work done. Without replacing the mesh, there are some alternate methods: - sew zig-zag over it several times - get some identical mesh and sew it over the existing ripped area, to the back would look better. - do as Rich suggested, leave it as it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 AldenMiller Posted March 1, 2011 Report Share Posted March 1, 2011 I've repaired a few by using a zig zag stitch over the split with some additional screening behind it for reinforcement. Then I trim away the excess additional screen. -Alden Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 antman Posted March 5, 2011 Report Share Posted March 5, 2011 i have them on my kites..if they are really small you can use a small piece if clear tear aid tape..thios will prevent it from possably getting bigger,, i have small tears on my screens..so far no problems from it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Jim Foster Posted April 6, 2011 Report Share Posted April 6, 2011 A little update.... Several months ago, when I was doing a quick repair on the leading edge screen on Lynn's SUL, I ran a zig zag clear along the leading edge at the top of the screen to the fabric sleeve, right where the screen usually separates. This morning I was looking over our kites, and I noticed that there has been no tear along that sewn area. This kite has been flown often this winter, unfolded and folded many times, and no new tears. I really can't say that the zig zag stitch is the reason for the edge holding up so well, but the edge has held up, while I have had to do a couple of repairs to the leading edge screen on my SUL. The two kites get the same amount of use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 markg Posted April 11, 2011 Report Share Posted April 11, 2011 Jim, Where do you get the mesh fabric to make the repairs?? I just noticed a tear in my std sail LE mesh.. the kite I have with the most hours. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 jdsmith Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 Jim, Where do you get the mesh fabric to make the repairs?? I just noticed a tear in my std sail LE mesh.. the kite I have with the most hours. Mark did you ever hear where you can find the right mesh materail for making an overlay repair? JD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 johnnmitchell Posted June 27, 2012 Report Share Posted June 27, 2012 Try http://www.kitebuilder.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/24_114 I would have also recommended Hang-em-High Fabrics in Virginia, however they seem to have disappeared. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Theresa Posted June 28, 2012 Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 I have mesh. 95" x 4" strip is long enough and wide enough for a 1.5 Call me if you need some. 360-977-0074 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 stevepigeon Posted June 29, 2012 Report Share Posted June 29, 2012 ive done a few replacements it is a chore esspecally the rolling of sceen to fabric but with practice they come out great looks good and last a long time done one on rev 1 6 years ago still looks great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 LRoot39 Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 For repairing tears in the screen on my Rev - I went to the local hardware store and bought a roll of screen - the kind to repair a screen door. Works fine. Just lay it over the tear, zig zag with a wide stitch a bit wider than the tear area. its easy, works and from 120 ft. it looks great!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 juanitacarr Posted November 2, 2012 Report Share Posted November 2, 2012 Leading edge are harder to repair because the bladders put pressure on the Dacron. I would recommend you to get it repair through a professional, but if you don’t have any access to a professional repair center then try using Kitefix Fiberfix and sticky back Dacron. Combining the two will hold the load of the bladder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 JynxKites Posted November 3, 2012 Report Share Posted November 3, 2012 ...and remember to softly fold your rev in thirds trying to fold at different spots each time. Do not fold tightly against the LE spars, that's what contributes to LE wear in those spots! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Cath Shook Posted November 5, 2012 Report Share Posted November 5, 2012 Suck it up big boy!!!!!! Have you seen my LEs? Badge of courage......or the insanely destructive!!!!! :) Yep, Eliot periodically receives a couple from Rich - fixes that screen issue - and sends them back to Rich for further "use" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 rcom714 Posted November 5, 2012 Report Share Posted November 5, 2012 Yep, Eliot periodically receives a couple from Rich - fixes that screen issue - and sends them back to Rich for further "use" Hey wait a minute......You're talking about me....I resemble that remark! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 REVflyer Posted November 6, 2012 Report Share Posted November 6, 2012 that tearin' of the leading edge mesh is like "blood on your black belt", ... you earned ever bit of it! The kite(s) will still fly with it partially ripped-away (perfectly) and eventually everything wears out together, just keep riding and wait for it. This takes thousands of hours, (or a long week-end of giving lessons in very high winds!) The sail fabric will eventually become transparent to the wind with little holes and frays all over it too. You'll have worn thru a few bridles, busted some tubes, or at least wedged the loose ferules unreachably inside. You've picked up a foot-print or some mud along the way, the interior of the leading edge sleeve is packed with abrasive sand dust, end-caps are rounded-off, (or maybe you've even managed to break one? ~ impressive!) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 makatakam Posted November 8, 2012 Report Share Posted November 8, 2012 Going on four years of flying and mine are all still in great shape. Of course flying over grass 99.9% of the time, as opposed to sand asphalt and concrete, really helps. Some fraying of the leading edge dacron at the ends, but nothing that a bic lighter couldn't fix in a hurry. Mesh is holding up very well, but I make sure to leave lots of room between the leading edge tubes where the kite is folded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Popular Post REVflyer Posted August 26, 2013 Popular Post Report Share Posted August 26, 2013 Look,, there's no way around it, if you fly a kite often enough it will eventually wear out too. It's made light weight, so durability is always a secondary factor. Enough hours of UV radiation, sand, your own abuse plus giving occasional lessons,.... These items assure you that everything will fail eventually. For me, I get about 2-1/2 seasons from a full sail Pro kite (and a Zen too) before it needs to replaced. Mid-vents last probably 4 and full vent will last me for at least 6 years. These kites are very seldom used locally, where most of my hours will be spent. You can blow smoke thru the sail material, stress fractures parallel with the down spars, nicks and holes in the leading edge (but NOT where it folds or at the center, 'cause I pay extra to have 'em built custom with these high wear spots in mind!) I break sticks too, usually into a seawall diagonally, not for years in flight though, HA! Thin spars are splinted due to abrasion between the caps and tubes. There's dust, dirt, pollen, sweat, bug-spray, Dugard's bubble solution, kids' hand and foot prints on the fabric. I have never washed a kite, but I have assembled 'em until dry, if used in tough weather conditions. I don't care that the leading edge rips away, everything else is going to fail right around the same time. Dantonio and my bride commented once, that the kite i was flying was an embarrassment to my family! I have since replaced a Zen, a full sail, mid-vent, and full vent pro, all were hot fade, black center custom constructions. The latest Zen had "more stuff tacked-on" than I have ever done before, and quite naturally, it was priced accordingly! Awhile back, I laughingly ordered this vented eyes in jest and surprise surprise, a few months later Ben shows up holding it out for me, then handing Barbara an equally surprising invoice. The only way a kite stays pristine is if you aren't using it enough! Do you think the people in line for your inheritance care about your great rev kite collection? You don't honestly believe a sport kite is a sound investment for future re-sale, do you? They're your thing, use it accordingly now. I can recognize friends on a full flying field just by the kites they own up in the air. That speaks volumes, use and enjoy, you don't know what the future holds. I spank 'em like step-children behind the woodshed. Try it yourself, it will take thousands of hours but you too can wear out a revolution and make wrinkles in your face permanent (from all the smiling) What a great time I have wasting money on all things kite related, decades of pleasure on revs alone. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Dayhiker Posted August 28, 2013 Report Share Posted August 28, 2013 Look,, there's no way around it, if you fly a kite often enough it will eventually wear out too............ The only way a kite stays pristine is if you aren't using it enough! Do you think the people in line for your inheritance care about your great rev kite collection? ............ What a great time I have wasting money on all things kite related, decades of pleasure on revs alone. This is sage wisdom. This is why I actually drive my 80 year old car. People occasionally ask, "Did you drive that to this meet?" I smile later as I drive off, maybe with a little extra zoom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Question
ahofer
I discovered some tears in the leading edge mesh of one of my B pros. Should I use the same super glue and Tedlar process I used on a sail tear, or is there a better way to fix these?
Link to comment
Share on other sites
19 answers to this question
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.