Things You'll Need
Dishwashing liquid
1/2-inch paintbrush
Ruler
Erasable grease pencil
Inflatable vinyl repair kit
Scissors
Cotton-wool
Rubbing alcohol
Vinyl adhesive
Medium-grit sandpaper
Wax paper
Wide cooking pot
Inflatable bounces, such as bounce houses, are a source of entertainment for children ranging from toddlers to teens. Unfortunately, with boisterous play, the seams sometimes spring a leak, and this causes the device to slowly collapse. Reinflate the bounce and identify the leak. If it's a major tear, fold up the bounce and send it away for professional repairs. If it is a minor tear, an easy-to-use repair kit with transparent patches will allow you to repair the faulty seam within minutes.
Step 1
Prepare a cupful of water mixed with 1/2 tsp. of dishwashing liquid. Inflate the faulty bounce. Brush soapy water onto the suspect areas with a 1/2-inch paintbrush and watch for bubbles. Measure the length of the leak with a ruler and mark the area with an erasable grease pencil before deflating the bounce.
Video of the Day
Step 2
Cut an oblong transparent vinyl patch big enough to overlap the seam by an inch on all sides. Trim off a 1-inch-diameter radius on all four corners with scissors.
Step 3
Clean the surface of the repair with a wad of cotton-wool soaked in rubbing alcohol. Blow the area dry and gently roughen the surface with a piece of medium-grit sandpaper.
Step 4
Spread a liberal amount of vinyl repair adhesive onto the patch area with the brush provided in the kit. Position the bottom of the patch an inch below the seam. Hold the rest of the patch away from the adhesive with one hand and carefully smooth it flat with the palm of your other hand to remove any creases and air bubbles. Work as fast as you can because vinyl adhesive dries quickly.
Step 5
Cover the repair with a strip of wax paper and place a wide cooking pot full of cold water onto the paper to weigh the patch down while the adhesive cures. Leave the weight on the repair until the following morning.
Step 6
Remove the weighted pot and peel the wax paper away. Reinflate the bounce and check the repair for leaks with another coat of soap.
Tip
Wear latex gloves when working with vinyl adhesive.
Video of the Day