How to Repair a Kayak with a Nitrogen Plastic Welder

An extreme impact with a sharp rock or other obstacle might make a crack in your kayak. The bottom of this kayak has a crack that goes all the way through to the other side. This video will show you how to repair this type of crack using a nitrogen plastic welder, an airless plastic welder, a blue LDPE (low density polyethylene) welding rod, and stainless steel reinforcing mesh.

1:15: Welding on the bottom of the kayak
1:49: Embedding the mesh
2:18: Laying the welding rod over the mesh
2:59: Repairing the crack from the inside
3:17: Final look

LDPE or HDPE?

The difference between LDPE (low density polyethylene) and HDPE (high density polyethylene) is the length of the molecule chains. HDPE has longer molecular chains than LDPE and the melting temperature of HDPE is often higher than that of LDPE.

LDPE's lower melting temperature usually makes using it as filler rod easier-to-use than welding HDPE filler rod to HDPE plastics.

HDPE is also "tougher" and more abrasion resistant than LDPE, but the practical difference is minimal when doing repair work. If you need the best wear characteristics and can live with making slower, more difficult welds, use HDPE rod. In most cases, we see better quality welds when using LDPE rod for typical crack or hole repair on boat hulls and ATV plastics.

⚠️ Important ⚠️
- Always wear proper safety gear while working!
- The length of this video is in no way representative of the actual time required to perform a complete repair and therefore should not be used for estimating purposes.

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Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

[manbearbeard]

There's no better channel on Youtube. Great work. I like it.

[wutflex]

I have this exact same kayak it surfs ocean waves great!

[DiscosVideos]

What’s the best way to fix cracked kayaks? The heat gun plastic welder way or the nitrogen welder way?

[roriepotter]

Very good video.
I'm going to do a repair soon.
One question... I was going to put my mesh on the inside, but you put it on the outside, would I be better off putting it on the outside or does it not make any difference?

[Cornwallseafishingkayaking]

Hey just a quick question the scratches on the bottom of the kayak is there any way to make the bottom look a lot better if so is there easy fix to be able to get rid or even just make the bottom look a lot less full of scratches :-)

[Manuel_Z_Kayaks]

TIP: Use the butt of the screwdriver to press down the mesh and to smooth out the surface of the repair.
DO NOT HEAT THE BUTT OF THE SCREWDRIVER...KEEP IT COOL!
A WATER SPRAY BOTTLE IS HELPFULL TOO.

[MrNissand]

What if the crack is not accessible from the inside? Would it still be ok if only the outside of the crack has been repaired?

[mldowjr]

Can you recommend a shop in the DFW Metroplex that can do

[abeclarkatp]

Why the stainless steel mesh? Is the rod not as strong as the plastic the kayak is made from?