Need Help on Wader Boot Repair

[TerryB]

I'd appreciate any sage advice for repairing my son's wader boot.

These are duck hunting waders with the boot built into the wader. He has about a 2 inch vertical cut along the ankle of the boot and I'm trying to figure out the best way to repair it. The boot is rubber with a canvas backing.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Terry

[WarrenP]

Terry,

I know someone will know how to make the best repair, but, since it is rubber, could you not use a regular tire inner tube repair kit to fix it?

Just thinking out loud....

[alra195]

I'm with Warren on this one. I'd use the tire repair kit and put a patch on both the inside and outside to be safe. Should be able to get a few more miles out of them.

[pspaint]

I would use Aquaseal on the tear. Use a piece of canvas or something similar on the inside and apply the aquaseal to the out side. That stuff works great!

[ducksterman]

I would use Shoo-Goo or Marine Goop and a patch material of your choice.

[TerryB]

Thanks for the suggestions!

I appreciate everyone's help!

Terry

[fritz]

go to Toys R Us or AutoZone and buy tire patch kit

[kengore]

The rubberized canvas construction is very similar to that used in white water rafts (uerathane or PVC coated fabric) so I would think that a similar repair would work. Here how the I would make a repair on the raft...

1. Clean the area with a solvent such as MEK or toululene, and remove any ragged pieces.
2. Get some patch material (most raft stores sell 4" wide rolls of material for about $6, you want the PVC stuff) Cut a patch that overlaps the edges by 1", round the corners to help prevent peeling.
3. Roughen the mating surfaces with some 60 grit sandpaper.
4. Use a heavy duty contact adhesive for the repair, such as 'Barge Cement'. Coat both surfaces and let it dry completly. Apply a second coat and let it dry until not longer tacky. Press both surfaces together for a permanant bond. Work the patch firmly into the adhesive with a roller or by pounding with a rubber mallet.

A good patch made on the outside surface should do, after all it works on the white water rafts which are also under pressure. Go ahead and patch both sides if you feel the need, but the inner patch might change the fit of the boots.

[The Famous Grouse]

As already mentioned, Shoe Goo or Goop will fix that, no problem.

Another great fix is silicon caulk (clear). It takes longer to cure, about 2 days, but once it does, nothing on Earth is getting that stuff off.

Grouse