VDH 23# Wing - Any repair kit or new bladder replacement available out there?

[CarcharodonCarcharias]

Just got back from my first diving trip in 5 years.

Still loving my setup (Freedom plate SS + VDG Argonaut 23#).

I would like to ask the old timers here that are there any repair kit and new bladder replacement for the wing?

Or am I pretty much SOL and just gotta be extra careful?

Thank you!

Good to be back on the forum and good to be back in the water again.

 

[newman_diver]

AquaSeal might do the trick. I have used it to patch bladders and dry suits in the past.

 

[rhwestfall]

TearAid? Gear Aid Tenstious tape?

 

[CarcharodonCarcharias]

The wing still works well. I am just preparing of what might have later.

Somehow, I gotta think that there is still a way to get the bladder replacement.

 

[Badger7]

Looks like a pretty standard wing design with a thinner bladder zipped into a thicker cordura outer shell. If at some point in the future the bladder needs repair because of an accidental puncture or pinchflat, personally I would just unzip the bladder, and cover the hole with a patch of cordura using aquaseal as the cement. You wouldn't need a special repair kit, just a scrap of PU coated cordura and an $8 tube of aquaseal, and you'd never even see the ugly but functional patch since the bladder is internal. Unless the leak is on the seam - I wouldn't attempt a perimeter seam repair on a bladder.

If the seam on the bladder welding starts to delaminate or the inflator elbow or OPV mounts deteriorate, I'd just replace the whole wing. Probably not worth replacing a deteriorating bladder on a shell of the same age. Is there something special about that specific wing other than sentimental value?

 

[CarcharodonCarcharias]

Looks like a pretty standard wing design with a thinner bladder zipped into a thicker cordura outer shell. If at some point in the future the bladder needs repair because of an accidental puncture or pinchflat, personally I would just unzip the bladder, and cover the hole with a patch of cordura using aquaseal as the cement. You wouldn't need a special repair kit, just a scrap of PU coated cordura and an $8 tube of aquaseal, and you'd never even see the ugly but functional patch since the bladder is internal. Unless the leak is on the seam - I wouldn't attempt a perimeter seam repair on a bladder.

If the seam on the bladder welding starts to delaminate or the inflator elbow or OPV mounts deteriorate, I'd just replace the whole wing. Probably not worth replacing a deteriorating bladder on a shell of the same age. Is there something special about that specific wing other than sentimental value?

Tks for the info. Much appreciated.

Nothing special or sentimental about the wing.

It's just that it is quite well made and the profile is quite compact. I really enjoy diving with it. It really marries well with the Freedom plate.