Punctured Bladder Repair Made Simple

So this is my second go around with a puncture repair in a month.
I'm not a pro but if I can do it ... then so can you.

I speak to you with first hand experience.

Needed tools and products:
a) Permanent marker, b) liquid dish soap, c) alcohol prep pad or use a 50/50 mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water, a clean lint free cotton towel and the factory supplied self adhesive patch kit, found in the inside pocket of the Cumberlands, OH ... and a 4-lb box of C&H Sugar.
The repair patch kit came inside the shipping box when I bought my Fish Cat Deluxe 4.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]  If you know where the puncture occurred, try to remember the exact spot.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]  If you are able to partially remove the bladder; as seen in the photo, then first deflate the bladder, then partially remove the portion of the bladder that needed to be repaired allowing for a little extra for working room.
Important: try to remember the exact position the bladder was in before being moved because you'll need to put it back exactly the same way it was before it was removed.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]  If you do not know where the puncture occurred then you will probably need to completely remove the bladder.

OK ... so here we go.

So at the first sign or sound of a puncture or an air leak .......
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I was lucky that it occurred in front of me and not behind!
I didn't invent this next move but rather borrowed it.
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I opened the bag, I carefully brought out the section of bladder that need to be repaired, re-inflated the bladder (just enough), made a soap / water solution and painted the surface with it and the air bubble appeared. I then wiped the area dry while keeping and eye on that spot. Once dry, I immediately marked a 1/2" circle all around the puncture.
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I dried the surface area after rinsing the area with fresh water.

Note: The surface must be dry before you can draw a circle on it with the permanent marker pen.
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I deflated the bladder and laid it as flat as possible on the clean garage floor.
I used the 50/50 mixture of the isopropyl alcohol and the clean lint free cotton towel to clean the surface well.
Give it a few to become completely dry.
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Now grab the puncture repair patch from the inside of the pocket, there is a zippered pouch inside each pocket.
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Now ... here is where you slow down and take it slower.

After allowing the surface to dry completely.
Peel back 1/8" - 1/4" of the paper backing and center the patch over the puncture or tear.
While anchoring the exposed patch edge, slowly peel away the paper backing while carefully applying the patch over the puncture. Take care to slowly work all the air out and try to avoid air bubbles.
Rub the surface of the patch firmly and allow the patch to cure for 4 hours before use.
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And for added assurance ...
I placed a flat bottomed 4-lb box of C&H Sugar on top of the patch; to keep it flat, because the bladder doesn't want to stay remaining flat! A lil' bit of sugar really works!  
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To make the repair it took me approx 15-20 minutes while taking my time.

And lastly .... reassemble.

Thanks for sharing SP Dan!!

An SOP for float tube repair with step by step instructions and pics!

Thanks sir I hope it works for you, let us know how it goes.

Great tutorial Dan. I will use this if/when I get my next leaky bladder.

Great post. Good searchable title, easy to remember

Take his word for it gents....65 yr old men know about leaky bladders.

Not all situations are the same...what will work under other circumstances??? DEPENDS....

aquaseal works incredibly well for small holes, even on the seam where patching is impossible.