Fin Repairs

[keller34]

I have been researching on how to repair fins. I was looking at how they are made and a lot of them are pieces bonded together. Knowing this info I began searching the web for different glues\bonding agents that a home user has access to and does not cost an arm and leg + first born. The main criteria was flexibility, can withstand salt water environments, and withstand the pressures\stress of the fin being in use in a current.

I have narrowed it down to a few different ones that seem to meet this standard:

Mr. Stickey's Underwater Glue--Salt water! Rubberized!

Mister Glue--Says it is for fins!

Rapid Fix--bonds rubber? Looks like it is too stiff.

With those being in mind, has anyone used these with success on fins to bond the rubber? Do you have others that are better?

I am thinking about buying them and testing each one with the results posted and video\photos, unless you have them of course.

 

[RJP]

I repaired one of the crew member's split fins on the Truk Odyssey a few years ago. He seemed pleased with the results...

 

[spectrum]

I don't think anyone is gluing fins together. The multiple components are probably coinjected or overmolded with interlocking features.

 

[keller34]

I am having samples sent to my office so I can see how well each one does. From the looks of some fins I can see where it has signs of being bonded with some sort of "glue". Mainly around the foot pocket. Even still it will be nice to know if any of these work on fins that are not bonded. I have a few different fins to try this on.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

 

[Mrice0406]

So how did it go?
Lots of freedivers use 5200 to bond their carbon/plastic/fiberglass fin blades to rubber pockets like Omer for instance. Works well. Also, I had a crack in a pair of plastic Riffe fins...I roughed up the surface of both the top and bottom of the affected area...then took two pieces of that ultra thin (almost as like thick paper stock) plastic cutting board, scuffed it up good with a wire wheel then applied 5200 to the fin, laid a piece of "cutting board" over it, then another coat of 5200. Did the same thing to the bottom. Its held up well and appears very strong. I also took a black sharpie and "painted" the white 5200 so it would be less noticeable. Another thing to do, depending on the plastic is to use a plastic welder...google it. Good luck.

 

[keller34]

I am still testing. Takes time because I work a full time and then my wife is going out of town every other week for work. Kinda hard to get all the testing I am doing in one weekend. Keep in mind all of this is being done in Saltwater. I am cutting the pockets and replacing them at the top opening and on the paddle itself for each one and putting them through hell after a cure time of 4 days just to make sure.

 

[clownfishsydney]

I have used Rapidfix to repair a split in my 20 year old Mares non-split fins. This was in the soft rubber bits between the plastic. So far after about 20 dives it is still perfect. Does not look great, white on black, but cheaper than a new pair. I used the filler and the glue.