Gear Review: Aquaseal +UV
Holes in your soft gear doesn't mean it is time to retire that gear. There are a handful of ways to make repairs from duct tape to epoxy. Aquaseal +UV just might be the bomber and simple repair for those holes and tears.
Tools Needed
Repairing small holes in tents, rain jackets, sleeping pads, et cetera doesn't take much time or skill. This was my first time doing a repair with Aquaseal +UV. It is really simple and fast. Adding this to my repair kit for sure.
- Scissors - the sharper the better
- UV Light - found a small one on amazon
- Aquaseal +UV
- Tenacious Tape
Tools you will need
Prep
Once you have found your hole/leak I suggest marking it so you don't loose it. Small holes can be hard to find a second time. Wipe the area clean with a wet rag, alcohol wipe, or a citrus cleaner and let dry.
Small tear
Aquaseal +UV
This is the time to channel your inner child with a fresh bottle of glue in art class but with more precision and control. The tube is pretty small but easy to work with. All you do is squeeze the tube and cover the tear/hole by 1/4".
Curing the epoxy
UV Light
I am not an expert on UV lights and curing epoxy by any means but it isn't hard. Just shine the light on hold it there for the recommended 30-90 second. You can also put it out in the sun to cure if you don't have a UV flash light.
Fully cured
Tenacious Tape
Once cured the repair will feel like a hard glue dot. For some extra protection I put a piece of Tenacious Tape over the top. If you don't already have some of this stuff I highly suggest adding it to your repair kit. It works great for all sorts of repairs on soft goods.
Tenacious Tape over the top
Conclusion
This repair was new to me so I cannot comment on its longevity or durability. I was lead in this direction from the repair staff at Therm-a-rest. It seems like a really solid repair that is incredibly easy. I can't wait to try it one some than just some sleeping pads.
