• darrens replied to the topic Packraft air loss in the forum DIY Packrafts 3 years, 5 months ago

    Found all the sources of my leaks!  Found a number of microscopic leaks in the TPU where iron had touched it and/or near seams.   Technique i found to find them was painting on undiluted car wash.  Undiluted meant it was nice and thick and microscopic bubbles showed up that I just did not see with the diluted car wash methods.   Painting on with…[Read more]

  • darrens replied to the topic Packraft air loss in the forum DIY Packrafts 3 years, 5 months ago

    One more question please Matt.  Do you know if the TPU fabric is still airtight if the TPU coating is melted?  On both my rafts i have areas where the TPU has been melted where i touched it with my iron.  Am wondering if air may escape very very slow through these?   Ie.  Does the airtightness come from the TPU or the nylon fabric?

  • darrens replied to the topic Packraft air loss in the forum DIY Packrafts 3 years, 5 months ago

    Hi Matt,

    OK, thanks for the tips.  As long as i know there must be a leak somewhere i will persevere to find it.  It bugs me knowing there’s air loss coming from somewhere….

    I’ll try the more concentrated soap mix as you suggested.  And bribe the kids to stare at it with me ;).

  • Hi,

    Has anyone else found their packrafts slowly lose pressure over time? If so, how much pressure do they find they lose?  I have made two packrafts thus far, a single and a double.  With the single sitting at home (after many many tests) I find i may lose one full lung full of air in a 6 to 8hr period and three big lung fulls if left o…[Read more]

  • darrens became a registered member 4 years, 4 months ago