Cobra Kayaks Repair Kit ** Yellow **

Most damage to Cobra kayaks can be easily repaired. Our basic repair kit includes instructions (see below) and a coil of material. Repair questions along with pictures should be sent to wogle@cobrakayaks.com.

YOUR COBRA KAYAK HAS BEEN MADE WITH ONE OF THE STRONGEST POLYETHYLENES AVAILABLE AND INCORPORATES THE BEST U/V STABILIZERS. IF, IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT YOU HAVE A NEED FOR MINOR REPAIR, PLEASE FOLLOW THE STEPS BELOW: 1. CLEAN THE REPAIR AREA OF SAND, OILS ETC USING SOAP AND WATER OR A SOLVENT SUCH AS LAQUER THINNER. 2. YOU WILL USE A SOLDERING IRON TO MELT THE REPAIR MATERIAL INTO THE REPAIR AREA OF THE KAYAK. BE SURE THE TIP OF THE SOLDERING IRON IS CLEAN TO PREVENT STAINING OF THE REPAIR. AN INEXPENSIVE 20 WATT “PENCIL” STYLE SOLDERING IRON WORKS WELL. 3. IF YOU ARE REPAIRING A CRACK, YOU WILL FIRST NEED TO “V” THE OPENING OF THE CRACK TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE INSIDE OF THE CRACK. YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH THIS BY MELTING THE EDGES OF THE CRACK WITH THE HOT TIP OF THE SOLDERING IRON. USING THE SOLDERING IRON AND BEGINNING AT ONE END OF THE CRACK, START MELTING THE EDGES OF THE CRACK AND BEGIN SLOWLY ADDING AND MELTING THE REPAIR MATERIAL INTO THE SOFTENED PLASTIC OF THE BOAT. CONTINUE THIS UNTIL THE CRACK OR HOLE HAS BEEN FILLED. A SECOND OR THIRD LAYER CAN BE ADDED IF NECESSARY. 4. TO INSURE GOOD ADHESION, REPAIR MATERIAL MUST BE INCORPORTATED INTO REPAIR AREA OF KAYAK. 5. ONCE THE REPAIR AREA HAS COOLED, SANDPAPER OR A FILE CAN BE USED TO SMOOTH AND CONTOUR THE REPAIR SURFACE. THIS WILL TEND TO DULL AND “FUZZ” THE PLASTIC, BUT THIS CAN BE ELIMINATED BY WAVING THE FLAME OF A PROPANE TORCH ACROSS THE REPAIR AREA. CAUTION! DO NOT LET THE FLAME REST IN ONE SPOT! KEEP THE FLAME MOVING. THE KAYAK SHOULD NEVER GET TOO HOT TO TOUCH. 6. TEST YOUR REPAIR FOR WATERTIGHTNESS BY ADDING WATER TO THE INSIDE OF THE KAYAK AND CHECKING TO SEE IF ANY WATER COMES OUT THROUGH THE REPAIR. ON EXTENSIVE DAMAGE, AN INDUSTRIAL STYLE PLASTIC WELDER MAY BE NECESSARY. CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL RETAILER, WHO MAY BE EQUIPPED TO HANDLE LARGE REPAIRS.