Trying to patch things up with my wife

"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove) 02/26/2020 at 14:08 • Filed to: repairlopnik

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She found this tear in the top of our blow up mattress. I’m thinking I can patch it, but it should probably be from inside for any chance of success. The surface is textured, and any outside patch wouldn’t be able to get a good enough seal against the pressure for long.

So, I’m thinking of opening it up more so I can get a patch in there and bond it to the inside surface. Any useful suggestions or product recommendations before I begin?

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Chariotoflove 02/26/2020 at 14:16

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Did you find the tear because she made you sleep on it? =)

Ash78, voting early and often > Chariotoflove 02/26/2020 at 14:17

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This works on our PVC boat (10' rowboat/raft):

Get a bit of Oatey PVC compound and put it on the tip of a Q-Tip. Insert it and coat the inside of the wound. Don’t let it touch other interior surfaces or they’ll fuse together.

At that point, I add an exterior patch, but in your case it might just heal itself like a papercut.

If the bed has a Boston-type valve (1/2" opening?), you can sometimes position the cut so the inside of it is visible through the value. Then you just do an interior patch like a car tire! Laparoscopic surgery.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Chariotoflove 02/26/2020 at 14:18

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They actually make patch kits specifically for air mattresses. Go find an outdoor or camping store and they'll have it.

haveacarortwoorthree2 > Chariotoflove 02/26/2020 at 14:18

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I remember the old waterbed patches - because the material was so slick, patch kits had the little metal tool to rough up the area for a bit so the patch would hold. 

Nom De Plume > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 02/26/2020 at 14:22

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Hint:  It blows up and resembles his wife in a way.

Chariotoflove > Ash78, voting early and often 02/26/2020 at 14:22

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Cool.  Product link?

Chariotoflove > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 02/26/2020 at 14:23

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Oh, okay!

66P1800inpieces > Chariotoflove 02/26/2020 at 14:23

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You may be able to lightly sand around the area so your contact patch is adhering to the main material instead of the fuzzy external layer. 

Chariotoflove > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 02/26/2020 at 14:24

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Nah, she’s been sleeping on it.  Since her spinal fusion in December, she’s had trouble sleeping in our bed.  She recently discovered that this is much more comfortable for now.

Chariotoflove > 66P1800inpieces 02/26/2020 at 14:27

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That’s a possibility.  I don’t know how much that would weaken the surrounding material in the long run, but it could work, especially if the inside thing doesn’t work.  But because the pressure would be from inside to out, I suspect the patch has a better chance of long term success if it is pushed against the material by inflation rather than away from it.

TorqueToYield > Chariotoflove 02/26/2020 at 14:28

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I recently watched this video on repairing Mine truck tires so I feel qualified to patch your air mattress.

Chariotoflove > TorqueToYield 02/26/2020 at 14:29

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You’re a life saver. BRB, going to Home Depot...

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Chariotoflove 02/26/2020 at 14:30

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Oh, that sucks.. but at least she’s found something that works better.

I need to get the foam topper off our bed. It’s definitely not good for my back.

Chariotoflove > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 02/26/2020 at 14:31

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I’m thinking longer term that I can put an inflatable topper on her side to make it better.  Sleeping on the air bed in the living room can’t go on forever.

Ash78, voting early and often > Chariotoflove 02/26/2020 at 14:33

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This stuff, you’ve probably seen it before. Every hardware store/Walmart/Lowe’s/HD will carry it. Only a few dollars and very handy (a bit pricier on Amazon) :

66P1800inpieces > Chariotoflove 02/26/2020 at 14:33

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That is a really good point. W hat about Ash78's PVC glue on a small patch, then fold it into a “W” and pinch the middle with tweeters and insert it into the hole without making it much larger. Press it through the other side as flat as possible. Then exterior patch for abrasion protection. I think opening it up more might make it much weaker without a mechanical heat/melted  patch.

Chariotoflove > Ash78, voting early and often 02/26/2020 at 14:34

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Oh yeah that stuff.  Easy.

Chariotoflove > 66P1800inpieces 02/26/2020 at 14:35

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That’s what I’m starting to think. I’ll look into the patch kits EssExTee mentioned  to be thorough though.