(800) TOP-RAFT | 602 E 45th St.| Boise, Idaho 83714
REPAIR KIT INSTRUCTIONS

*** Please Read Carefully Before Starting ***
THE MOST COMMON PROBLEMS WITH RAFTS OCCUR DUE TO EXCESSIVE HIGH PRESSURE AND HEAT AND/OR IMPROPER CARE DURING TRANSPORTATION. TARP YOUR RAFT WHEN TRANSPORTING IT AND FREQUENTLY MONITOR PRESSURE. HEAT FROM THE SUN AND THE GROUND CAN DRASTICALLY RAISE PRESSURE AND DAMAGE YOUR RAFT.
RECOMMENDED FLOOR PRESSURE: 1 TO 1.5 PSI | TUBE PRESSURE: 1.5 TO 2.5 PSI

1. If possible, the boat or tear should be moved to a clean, dry, flat area away from sunlight. Place an oar, box, or piece of wood under the area to be repaired to give a hard, flat surface to work the patch against.
2. All repairs on the river are best to be done with the 3” Bias Tape. The 3” Bias Tape is cut at a 45 degree angle of the fabric to allow for stretching. Later you can cover the tape with urethane material that matches your boat color for cosmetic purposes.
3. If the tear is more than 1 foot long, an inside patch should be applied first. This is more difficult than an outside patch, but will provide better air retention and insure the repair. Use bias tape for inside patches.
4. The Clifton one-part glue provided is ready to use. An applicator brush is attached to the lid. Always check your glue before leaving on a trip. It has a one-year shelf life.
5. Use the patch to trace around the area where it will be applied. For repairs on the urethane surface, THOROUGHLY SAND THE URETHANE SURFACE FIRST. Clean both the area and the patch with the cheese cloth dampened with MEK. Using the brush, apply a thin even coat of glue to both area and patch. Don’t miss any spots. Let dry. Apply a second thin, even coat to area and patch.
6. Let the glued surfaces become tacky, then starting on one edge, lay the patch over the area and press it on with your hand. Then, using the pusher set at a 45-degree angle, push across the patch area to remove all air and set the patch. Work the edge of the pusher along any ridges formed by underlying overlapped materials. If the glued surfaces dry before you can put them together, you can lightly wipe them with a damp cloth of MEK, to reactivate, wait until tacky gain, then apply. Or you can apply a third, thin coat of glue.
7. Let the patch cure for 1 hour before use. Do not pump to full pressure for at least 12 hours.

EXPERT TIPS: Avoid gluing an area much larger than the patch. Exposed glue will darken with age and is not cosmetically appealing. Be careful not to glue the inside of the tube together with the inside patch. Take your time. A patch with the bias tape will hold air on the river. A properly done patch is virtually impossible to remove without damage to the fabric. Don’t overuse MEK. Squeeze the excess out of your cheesecloth before using.
CAUTION: Glue and solvent should be used in a well-ventilated area. Avoid contact with eyes and wounds. If ingested – DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING – contact a physician or poison control.

REPAIR KIT CONTENTS: ADDITIONAL ITEMS NEED (not supplied)
___ 10” X 15” Floor fabric ___ MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone)**
___ 10” X 15” Urethane Fabric: Raft Color ___ Scissors
___ 8’ 3” Bias Repair Tape ___ Single-edge razor blade
___ 4 oz. Clifton PVC/Urethane Adhesive *
___ 1 Valve Wrench/Pusher
___ Cheesecloth
___ Sandpaper

* ITEM THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ANNUALLY
** Methyl Ethyl Ketone can be purchased at most paint or hardware stores.