Kite Repair
Annette Wenzler-Steves provides the best kite (and sail) repair at the best price. She has been my first choice for about 10 years.
(808)281-5718 email: [email protected]
(808)281-5718 email: [email protected]
Bladder Repair
Kite bladders are made from TPU aka thermoplastic polyurethane. I buy a roll of Tear-Aid B to repair my bladders and small holes in my canopy.
To buy a replacement struts, valves or bladders: http://www.airtimekite.com/index.php/airtime-kite-bladders.html Roll your cursor over the bladder/strut tab.
To repair your own bladders: http://www.kitesurfingschool.org/bladderrepair.htm
What's the difference between Tear-Aid A and B? http://kiterepair.tumblr.com/
To buy a replacement struts, valves or bladders: http://www.airtimekite.com/index.php/airtime-kite-bladders.html Roll your cursor over the bladder/strut tab.
To repair your own bladders: http://www.kitesurfingschool.org/bladderrepair.htm
What's the difference between Tear-Aid A and B? http://kiterepair.tumblr.com/
Saving Money on Kite Repairs
1) Attach your name, address, phone number, make of the kite and size on the Kite bag.
2) Draw a diagram of the kite and show where the repair is needed.
3) If you are leaving the island soon, highlight when you need the kite finished. Overnight? Okay it with them on the phone prior to dropping it off.
4) Clean, wash and dry the kite before giving it to them. Now you won't foul-up their machine or workspace.
5) Hold the kite up to a light and look for any extra tears. Stick blue painter's tape next to any rip, so they can quickly find it.
6) Buy some "tear-aid," or Airtime u-stick valves and fix the bladders yourself. I like fixing the bladders after the kite has been sewn. Sometimes the sewing needle adds another mystery hole.
7) If you do not want to repair your own bladder, tell them where you think the leak is. Hint. If you have a one pump inflate kite, pump up the kite and seal all struts off from the leading edge. In a hour you should see where the problem area is.
8) If the LE is torn, buy a seam ripper. Remove one hand's width of stitching on either side of the tear.
9) Now that you have saved so much money, call Troy for an advance kite lesson.
2) Draw a diagram of the kite and show where the repair is needed.
3) If you are leaving the island soon, highlight when you need the kite finished. Overnight? Okay it with them on the phone prior to dropping it off.
4) Clean, wash and dry the kite before giving it to them. Now you won't foul-up their machine or workspace.
5) Hold the kite up to a light and look for any extra tears. Stick blue painter's tape next to any rip, so they can quickly find it.
6) Buy some "tear-aid," or Airtime u-stick valves and fix the bladders yourself. I like fixing the bladders after the kite has been sewn. Sometimes the sewing needle adds another mystery hole.
7) If you do not want to repair your own bladder, tell them where you think the leak is. Hint. If you have a one pump inflate kite, pump up the kite and seal all struts off from the leading edge. In a hour you should see where the problem area is.
8) If the LE is torn, buy a seam ripper. Remove one hand's width of stitching on either side of the tear.
9) Now that you have saved so much money, call Troy for an advance kite lesson.