1. Introduction
Ensure that the patch material you use is the same material as the tank.
1.1 Making a good repair
The person doing the repairs must read these instructions carefully and
follow them exactly to obtain a good repair. He should be a craftsman who is
prepared to do a good job. Failure to follow instructions, or poor repair
workmanship, can lead to failed repairs and/or more damage to the tank.
1.2 Avoiding repair failures
IMPORTANT: Try a test repair on a repair patch before attempting to
repair the tank. This will verify your technique without risking damage to
the tank. It is much harder to fix a repair once a failed attempt has been
made.
Partially bonded patches are difficult to remove.
Repairs will likely fail if:
- The area to be repaired is not perfectly clean and scrubbed to a matte
finish before applying the patch.
- Repaired area leaks water during repair.
- The patch is not properly placed
1.3 Obtaining a hot air gun
The required hot air gun is specified in Section 2. This can be rented
locally or purchased from SEI industries.
2. Making Major Repairs with Patches and Hot Air Gun
WARNING: DANGER OF INJURY
The Solvent is hazardous.
Use Solvent under well ventilated conditions only.
Use an approved respirator mask to avoid breathing fumes.
EXPLOSIVE VAPOUR. Keep away from sparks, flame or cigarettes.
Wash skin with soap and water. |
IMPORTANT: Instructions must be followed closely to obtain a good
repair.
2.1 Repairing different types of damage
1. Holes in empty tanks, pinholes and wicking. Use patches. See section 2.
2. Damaged coating that is not leaking. Use patches. See section 2
3. Rips and holes in full tanks. Use repair clamps. See section 3.
2.2 Marking leaks
If there are small leaks or scrapes that may be difficult to locate when the
tank is drained, mark them with a black felt pen.
2.3 Cleaning
If the there is water escaping or dampness resulting from the damaged area,
the tank must be drained. If the damaged area is dry, it should be possible
to obtain a good bond without draining the tank.
2.3.1. Support the Damaged Area on a Box or Block
If the tank is drained, the damaged area should be supported above the
rest of the tank with a box or piece of wood. This allows residual water to
drain away from the damaged area. Loose coating should be cut back with
scissors to where there is a solid bond with the reinforcing fabric or
scrim.
2.3.2 Scrub the Damaged Area
Scrub with an abrasive pad dampened with solvent. Use the solvent
supplied with the kit. If another solvent is used, we recommend checking its
compatibility on a piece of repair fabric from the kit.
Scrub the damaged area vigorously to remove
the cured surface. The area should be clean and dry with a dull matte
finish.
CAUTION: Solvent will damage the fabric if too much is used or if it
is left exposed to the fabric.
Use a brush and solvent to clean exposed woven fabric reinforcement (scrim).
Repeat until the area is very clean. Wipe with a rag dampened with solvent
to remove any residue from cleaning.
Is the area totally clean and all coated surfaces dull? If not,
repeat the cleaning. This is critical for a good bond.
2.4 Cutting the patch
2.4.1. Cut a patch
The patch should be at least 2" (50 mm) larger in every direction from
the damage. A round patch is recommended, but if a rectangular patch covers
the damage better, round all the corners.
2.4.2 Clean the patch
by scrubbing with the pad dampened with solvent (Isoproyl). Rub vigorously
to remove the gloss from the fabric. Clean both sides of the patch, as it is
easy to get the patch turned over during installation. The patch is also
cleaned on the outside as it should be painted later.
2.5 Applying the patch
1. Mount a wide surface air nozzle on the hot air gun so as to direct the
heat flow in a large pattern.
2. Turn the power ON, and set the temperature in the low range first to let
the hot air gun warm up. Increase the temperature as required during the
operation.
CAUTION: DO NOT OVERHEAT OR BLACKEN THE
FABRIC.
3. Starting from the center of the patch held down by the roller as in the
figure below, concentrate the heat flow equally to patch and fabric. Start
applying a light pressure with the roller when the fabric starts melting.
DO NOT OVERHEAT.
4. Roll the patch down to fuse it to the tank fabric moving roller and gun
simultaneously.
5. Repeat until the entire patch has been fused to the tank.
6. Let the repaired area cool down.
7. With your fingers, attempt to peel off the patch at the edges. If the
patch peels even slightly repeat the operation locally, otherwise the repair
is complete.
3. Making Major Repairs with Patches and
Adhesive
When using Loctite 495 glue, please consider
the following:
Warning: Irritating by inhalation. Eye irritant. Combustible liquid.
Contains cyanoacrilate ester which may cause allergic skin reaction. Skin
contact through clothing may cause burns. Use adequate ventilation. In case
of eye or body contact, flush with water. Get medical attention for any eye
or internal contact.
Loctite 495 is not approved for use with potable water tanks.
Potable water tanks must be repaired with a hot air gun.
For best results with any adhesive, the surfaces must be clean and dry. Lay
out the tanks so that the damaged area is as flat as possible, and supported
underneath. Cure adhesive at room temperature if possible. Allow extra
curing time at low temperatures.
3.1. Cut a patch
The patch should be at least 2" (50 mm) larger than the damaged area in
every direction. A round patch is recommended, but if a rectangular patch
covers the damaged area better, round all the corners.
3.2. Clean
the damaged area and the patch with isopropyl
alcohol or lacquer thinner to remove excessive grease, oil and dirt.
3.3. Apply an even coat
of the "Vyna-Bond" adhesive to both the patch and the damaged area of the
tank. Allow the adhesive to set until it is dry to the touch, approximately
three to ten minutes. (Longer time is required in colder temperatures).
3.4. Place the patch and roll it down
Press down hard with the plastic roller provided in the repair kit. Roll
from the center of the patch out towards the edges.
3.5. Allow the adhesive to dry for 16 hours before using the
tank.
Loctite 495 may be used on the following Fireflex products:
-
Fireflex Tanks, water (non-potable water)
-
Hazmat Tank
-
Buoywall II
-
FlexPak
-
Gravity Feed Funnel (water, chemical)
-
Pick-up Truck Tank (non-potable water)
-
Heli Tank (non-potable water)
-
Please contact SEI Industries Ltd. for
further information on the glue or patch to be used.
4. Making Repairs with Repair Clamps
Repair clamps are used for an immediate repair
to prevent loss of water through large rips or holes. For instance, if a
vehicle backed into a tank and caused a 3" (76 mm) long rip in the tank, a
repair clamp could be inserted to stop the loss of water. Repair clamps are
used only for temporary repairs. The damage should be permanently repaired
with a patch when the tank can be emptied.
4.1 Procedure to install repair clamps:
4.1.1. Select the largest clamp that will just slip through the hole in the
tank.
4.1.2. Keeping hold of the string, slip one half of the
repair clamp through the hole as indicated above.
4.1.3 Pull the bolt up through the hole. Turn it until the clamp
lines up with the hole.
4.1.4 Place the top of the clamp over the bolt.
4.1.5 Tighten the nut by hand. Caution: Tightening
the nut with tools may break the bolt away from the lower clamp.
Leaving the string on makes it easier to
remove the repair damp when placing a permanent patch on the tank.
5. Repair Kit
5.2 Parts List
A) Kit for Fireflex Vinyl Tanks, Flex Paks, Stilwell Flyers, and Heli Tanks
| Diagram# |
Description |
Qty. |
| 1 |
Repair manual |
1 |
| 2 |
Abrasive pads |
2 |
| 3 |
Rag for cleaning tank |
1 |
| 4 |
Loctite 495 (0.10 oz) |
4 |
| 5 |
Patch material |
3 |
| 6 |
Roller for rolling down patches |
1 |
| 7 |
Weght Bag |
1 |
| 8 |
Scissors |
1 |
| 9 |
Threaded wood lug |
1 |
| 10 |
Medium Repair clamp tool box |
1 |
|
