In our instructions and tutorial videos we explain that there are four simple steps for repairing a typical canopy tear in your kite.  These include 1) Clean Area, 2) Apply FiberFix, 3) Apply GluFix over FiberFix and 4) Apply GlueFix to other side of tear.  It is that simple, however there are always things that one can do to make the repair simpler and cleaner.  This entry I will explain how to use painter’s tape to help make a perfect repair.

Use painters tape to join the tear before you apply the FiberFix (between Step 1 and 2 above).  Painters tape is a type of masking tape that is designed to be easily removed for a period of time after it has been applied and can be found in most hardware stores. (I would love some feedback on whether this product is available to you, and if not, whether you would like us to offer this.)

• Lay your kite on a flat space (table or floor) with the side that you will put the FiberFix on facing up (normally the inside of the kite…the side you look at when flying the kite).
• Put some painters tape on one side of the tear, on the back side of the kite (side you don’t see when flying the kite).

• Slowly join the tear by lining up the lines in the ripstop.  Join the two sides so that they are just touching, not overlapped and don’t leave spaces.  If the join is not perfect, you can lift up one side of the tear and try again.  Keep trying until the join is perfectly aligned.  If you are careful at this stage, the repair will almost be invisible when you are done.

• Now that the tear is temporally joined using the painters tape, apply the FibeFix and GlueFix.  Once the GluFix has dried, remove the painters tape from the opposite side of the repair, and apply a thin layer of GluFix.

I hope you found this tip helpful for your repairs.  If you have other questions on how to use our product, please either send us an email at info@kitefix.com or post a comment to our blog. 

Mark Rivers

Sales and Marketing Manager