how to fix a hole in an air mattress seam

Figured I'd try and tap the vast wealth of knowledge here at BCUSA. My sons' off brand, "Hi-Tec", self inflating sleep pad, blew a seam, around the valve area. I am not a techy so cant give pictures of the damage. Essentially the fabric pulled away from the plastic which houses the air intake/outake valve. I can remove the intake valve if needed but it is really not in the way. The plastic housing is tear dropped shaped. The intake valve seats into this housing. The fabric edge is bonded at the seam, to the housing.

I was thinking of just using some Aqua Seal and calling it good. I was going to use isopropyl alcohol to clean the area and then apply some Aqua Seal. Ill work the Aqua Seal down and into, the fabric. Ill let it dry overnight. Ill keep pressure on the fix, using some clothes pins. Ill let it cure over night.

However, I am open to suggestions. I thought one option prior to the Aqua Seal, may be to use an iron. I was thinking of heating the fabric up to see if the adhesive previously used would still bond with the plastic. Anyone tried this method?

Open to any and all, suggestions.

Thanks to all in advance.

Due to my work schedule, Ill be on and off the computer, the next 4 days, sporadically.

Be safe.

Draketake

Never had a sleeping pad or air mattress but I have fixed a few holes on inflatable water craft. Is it made of rubber/plastic? If so the only advice I can think of is make sure that before you put any adhesive on, you rough up the area with something abrasive. Makes a big difference in how well a patch will hold.

BN Thank you for the advice. I will be trying to get a material like Cordura to mate with a smooth plastic, to form an air tight bond.

Just gave this same advice for fixing holes and rips in tarps.

McNett Seam Grip. I have repaired several air mattresses, including seam splits. I have also fixed just about every kind of camping and traditional material.

Myr1ad,

Thank you for the help also.

Have a good day.

when you glue it, make sure as much of the air is out of it as possible. Even just a little bit of air can push a pinhole in the best prepped seams. Don't move it for a long time. Really leave it sitting for a few days to cure right.

SmilinJoe

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Instead of clothes pins use some strips of wood and small c-clamps. That way you can get more uniform pressure along the entire seam and more clamping force....just a thought.

Thanks for the information guys. Ill look for the hippo patch at Walmart.

I was thinking of the C clamp idea bu the surface is slick, plastic in a rounded shape.

I will deflate the pad as mush as possible. I will let it sit for a day or two. I dont need it for a few more weeks.

SmilinJoe

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I actually used that hippo tape on a similar repair for my pad. It was on a seam but not by the valve. It looks crappy but it's holding. It's pretty sticky stuff.

SJ,

Based on your post, I may do that after applying the seam seal. That my be my answer to the problem of clamping over the curved, plastic valve. Thank you.

Does anyone know for sure that Walmart carries it? Any other ideas of possible sources not via online?

SmilinJoe

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I got mine from Walmart. Send me your Addy and what size you need and I will send you a piece.

Smiling Joe.

Thank you so much for the offer. That was so very nice.

However, I don't think I am going to need it after all.

Be safe.

SmilinJoe

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No problem, if you do just PM.

Thanks again SmilinJoe. Thanks again to everyone else who gave me some guidance.