How and what is the best way to properly glue an air mattress at home
Modern air mattresses are made of reliable materials, but under strong external influences they can be damaged. When a question arises, how it is possible to glue an air mattress, it is worth considering several options and choosing the right one.
How do you know if a mattress is breathable?
It is possible to notice that the air gradually comes out of the inflatable bed by its external signs. If the mattress deflates, you need to examine it carefully and find a hole that lets air through. The most common source of air leaks is the valve. Make sure the valve is tightly closed. If there is a double valve system, the cap must be securely attached to the base.
After checking the valve, it is necessary to inspect the entire surface of the mattress, having previously inflated it to the limit. Inspect the product in a bright place from all sides, paying particular attention to the seams.If it is not possible to visually detect the damage, it is worth using one of the following methods:
- Spray a soap and water solution over the entire surface of the product. Small soap bubbles will form in the area where the product releases air.
- Slowly run your palm along the surface to locate the air outlet. You can pre-wet your hand with cold water to increase sensitivity.
- Lightly press down on the mattress and listen for the hiss. This method is more effective when searching for large holes.
- Completely submerge the inflated product under water. Visible air bubbles will begin to emerge from the injury site.
Procedural Technology
A damaged air mattress can be repaired without assistance by following step-by-step instructions. Armed with the necessary tools at hand, it will be possible to carry out the procedure at home and completely restore the operational characteristics of the product.
Preparation of mattress surface for patch application
Having found all the places through which the product passes air, it is necessary to mark them visually. You can use a marker, bar soap or chalk to do this. Then the product is thoroughly cleaned of dust and dirt, washed if necessary and left to dry naturally. Do not leave the mattress next to a radiator or other heating devices.
If the damage is on the fleece side of the inflatable bed, the area around the hole is carefully sanded so that the patch is more firmly attached to the surface. It is also important to thoroughly degrease the area where the patch is applied. For this, use pure alcohol or a product containing acetone. There should be no trace on the product after the degreasing procedure.
We prepare the necessary tools and materials
To repair damage to the mattress, you need to prepare a set of tools and materials. In particular, to do the job, you may need:
- glue solution;
- patches provided or purchased separately;
- fine grit sandpaper;
- solution for degreasing surfaces.
Cut the patch
If the gap in the mattress is small, do not apply large pieces to it. It is enough to cut out a piece of the selected material with your own hands with an aspect ratio of 1.5-1.5 cm. Having found several holes on the mattress located close to each other, it is more convenient to cover them with a single piece of Material. It is important that the edges of the fabric completely cover the damaged area. Therefore, a margin of at least 1 cm must be provided on each side.
To glue the inflatable bed, you can take a piece of fabric from a ready-made repair kit. In the absence of such a kit, improvised materials are used to prepare the patch, including rubber products (an inflatable pool, a circle, a ball, an oversleeve, etc.).
Surface bonding
Before sticking the patch on the mattress, it is necessary to treat its surface and the damaged area with an adhesive solution. On the patch, the product should be coated in a thin, even layer. After applying glue to the torn area and cutting the material, you need to wait a little for 10 minutes to dry. For convenience, you can use a hair dryer, blowing a stream of hot air over the product.
The patch is firmly pressed on the surface of the mattress and wait a few minutes for good fixation. Subject to all conditions, the mattress can be fully utilized within half an hour.
Gasket
The seams of the mattresses are glued taking into account several characteristics. In case of insignificant damage to the seams, the area is treated with an adhesive solution and the mattress is not used until it is completely dry. If after the initial treatment it is not possible to remove the damage, you need to fill the hole with glue.
There is another technique for gluing the seams. This option is more laborious, but reliable. The bonding procedure includes the following steps:
- find where the defect is, thread a piece of material through the valve to the outside;
- treat the hole with alcohol or another degreasing agent;
- let the product dry and cut a patch taking into account the size of the slit;
- glue is applied to the patch and firmly applied inside the inflatable bed;
- wait 12-14 hours, turn the mattress over and inflate.
What glue can be used
When gluing a mattress without a repair kit, you need to choose a suitable type of glue. When deciding by what means to glue the mattress, it is necessary to immediately exclude options that provide instant adhesion. There are a large number of products on sale that are more suitable for treating the surfaces of rubber products.
The moment is universal
Glue with a transparent consistency reliably removes damage to rubber mattresses and fixes patches of various materials on their surface. Complete drying of the solution takes place one day after use. Momentum universal is water resistant and can withstand extreme ambient temperatures.
Moment glue can be kept for two years without loss of performance. It is allowed to freeze the solution, after which it is able to restore its original consistency and properties at room temperature.
Polyurethane for footwear
A type of polyurethane adhesive is also known as Desmokol. It is often used on leather goods, but is also suitable for bonding inflatable rubber beds. The substance is produced on the basis of polyurethane resins, a solvent and a number of minor modifying components.
The polyurethane variety differs from other types of glue in its increased strength index, reliability of the joint formed, water-repellent property and elasticity. After application and drying, the substance remains completely transparent, which does not spoil the appearance of the mattress.
great glue
Since superglue contains natural rubber and has the ability to set instantly, it is better to give preference to other types of glue. Due to hardening, superglue hardens quickly, which with subsequent use of the product can lead to the crumbling of the substance.
The need to use super glue to fix a defect on a product can only arise in an emergency. In such conditions, you can temporarily eliminate the hole, and then repeat the procedure using a more suitable glue.
PVC adhesive
PVC waterproof adhesive, also called liquid patch, is available in a variety of colors. This feature allows you to eliminate a defect on a product of any color without losing its original appearance. The main advantages of PVC are: long shelf life, resistance to high humidity, ability not to crumble, permanent preservation of structure and color.
There are two types of PVC glue: one-component and two-component. The first option does not require any preparation and is immediately ready for use, and the second is pre-mixed with the hardener, which is included in the package.
The two-component version helps to make a seam more durable and resistant to external influences, while the one-component composition is easier to use and does not require special skills.
rubber glue
Glue developed specifically for the processing of rubber products should be applied to the mattress and patch simultaneously. After processing the two elements, they are superimposed on each other and compressed tightly. You can run an inflatable bed with rubber cement after a day.
How to glue an INTEX mattress using a repair kit
The easiest and most effective way to eliminate a defect on an air mattress is to use a ready-made repair kit. The set is offered as a complete set with Intex products and consists of the following:
- clear vinyl film;
- flocked fabric for use as a patch;
- glue.
The Intex Mattress Kit also comes with step-by-step instructions that will help you understand how to properly seal the patch. The presence of a repair kit eliminates the need to search for additional materials, saves time and labor costs. A ready-made repair kit does not take up much space and can be carried with an inflatable mattress. This feature allows you to eliminate the problem even on the road.
Side 1
On the first side, it is recommended to glue the mattresses from the inside. To repair a product in this manner, you must follow a series of standard step-by-step procedures in sequential order. First, you need to find the defect and stretch the section with a gap through the valve using a ruler or other similar object.
The area on the inner lining is cleaned, wiped with a damp cloth, degreased and left to dry.A small amount of adhesive is applied to the patch of selected material and the area around the hole. To evenly distribute the glue, spread it over the surfaces with a small brush. The surfaces are pressed together and fixed with a heavy object in a stationary position for 10-12 hours. Wait until the glue is completely dry. After eliminating the defect, it remains to carefully return the product to its original state and inflate it. The mattress can be used immediately afterwards.
velvet side
If you find a hole on the velvet side of the bed, you should spread the deflated product on a flat surface to easily seal the gap. All fluff is removed from the area around the defect using a solvent. After spraying the surface with a solution, you need to wait a few minutes, after which the pile can be easily cleaned with the dull side of a knife.
The easiest way to close the hole on the velvet side is to use PVC tarpaulin. It is necessary to fix the fabric over the hole, circle the treatment area, cut out a piece of the appropriate dimensions. It is recommended to make a round patch without sharp ends. The length of the patch should be a few centimeters longer than the slot on the mattress.
Apply a small amount of glue to the cut fabric and damaged area. An excess or lack of substance will reduce the reliability of adhesion. After application, the solution is gently spread with a brush and left to dry. After 10 minutes, the procedure is repeated. Before joining the surfaces, the applied glue is heated with a hair dryer, preventing melting, then the patch is applied tightly so that no air bubbles remain under it.On top, the patch is rolled up with a hard roller and the mattress is left for a day. During a subsequent operation, care should be taken to avoid bending where the patch is located.
What to do in case
During the operation of the air mattress, problems may arise with the divergence of the seams or the outflow of air through the valve. To eliminate these defects, you need to carry out appropriate manipulations.
If the seam has come loose
With a small puncture or mini break in the seam, a piece of fabric with a diameter of about 2 cm is needed. The damaged area is carefully cleaned without removing fluff from the coating, as this can cause an increase in gap. The glue is applied to the surface of the patch and the seam, dried for 10-15 minutes, and then covered with another layer to achieve a greater effect.
The treated surface of the patch is pressed tightly to the seam and, holding it in place for several minutes, smooth the edges. To speed up the setting process, do not use lighters, irons or other heating methods. The only thing that can be used to gently treat the seam is a hair dryer on the minimum setting. After fixing the seam, you should leave the mattress for a few hours and then inflate it to test it. If the product continues to deflate, you will need to repeat all steps until the air stops escaping.
When the mattress seam diverges over a long distance, trying to repair the fault yourself in most situations is futile. If you find significant damage to the product, you should contact the repair shop, where specialized equipment is used to restore the integrity of the products.
If the valve is leaking
When examining the defects of the mattress, it is important to check the condition of the valve.If it has lost its tightness, air will escape through it. In most standard situations, this problem can be eliminated at home, but in the event of serious mechanical damage, you will need to call a professional.
To repair the valve yourself, you will need to remove it and wash it from accumulated dust and dirt. Then the terminal part and the valve gasket should be cleaned with fine-grained sandpaper. After covering the treated area with lubricant, the valve is screwed into its original position and its working condition is checked. To do this, it is necessary to inflate the product and check whether air comes out of the valve. If the problem cannot be eliminated using the above method, professional repair is required.