C-Forum

Hi,

I am redoing the outfitting in my Mohawk Probe (OC1), switching from the factory lap belt to Northwater rodeo straps. I have a question about D-rings. Can the vinyl patches overlap (i.e. one corner be glued over the other)?

If not, should I trim them or try to reposition them? I like them in this position, but if I must, I can try to rearrange them.

Edit: Another question; can I glue over old glue? I cut a chunk off the front of my saddle, and there is a patch of old glue where I want to put these D-rings.

Thanks

Adam

Positioning first! Glue 'em where you like 'em.

Clean off any old gunk as best you can with a scpraper or sand paper and your boat-cleaning solvent of choice (I get some Tolulene-based stuff from MEC), but you can glue over clean, well-adhered junk,

And using the proper Vinyltec adhesive, you can glue the d-ring patches over each other without a problem, prep it the same as you would the vinyl on the inside of the hull. If they only overlap a bit and it's you preference, you can trim them too, whichever.

P.

I decided to pull up the stock Mohawk kneepads too, so the D-rings can move apart a bit, and now they fit fine!. I've got all the proper adhesives etc.

On a related note, I am trying to pull up the old patches from the lap belt because they are in the way of the outer D-rings. Problem is, it's pulling off a bunch of the inner vinyl layer, exposing the white plastic underneath. I'm heating the patches a lot before/as I pull, but the glue is still pretty strong. Any suggestions?

Thanks

I did the same thing a year ago and was having the same problem. I asked around and basically got the advice that you're already using: heat and patience. From what I experienced, I think that if the glue is in good shape and was done properly that you are not going to get them all off cleanly without some loss of boat vinyl. If you have a bare patch where you want to mount a new d-ring, you can use sta-bond instead of the vyna-bond(check on this to make sure first).

I ended up pulling off a bunch of vinyl with each patch. However, I recycled the old kneepads and glued them on to cover the missing vinyl and it covers it nicely!

Adam

If you do end up pulling up a bunch of vinyl be very very careful gluing things on top of the exposed ABS layer as you really really don't want to melt that layer. I would suggest instead of peeling the old patches off glue right on tiop of them and just cut the old d-ring or fabric off the old patch.

"I am trying to pull up the old patches from the lap belt because they are in the way of the outer D-rings. Problem is, it's pulling off a bunch of the inner vinyl layer, exposing the white plastic underneath. I'm heating the patches a lot before/as I pull, but the glue is still pretty strong. Any suggestions? "

Of course the glue is in there well. These are the ones you want to get up.

The ones that come out easily are the ones you need to hold your thigh straps in when you are upside down and needing to roll in a bad rapid. Then the glue comes right loose.

The ones I want to get out hang on like limpets.

I agree that it is better to glue over old, cut down patches than to tear up the vynal but it is harder to get a good tight bond. Every imperfection detracts. Still, it is better than getting down to the core. Chris Kelly