Finding leak in my inflatable

Shoalwaters · Oct 29, 2015

My elderly Carib inflatable has developed a slow leak. I intend to "paint" the tubes with soapy water in the hope that bubbles will tell me where the leak is. What type and brand of soapy stuff works best? Techniques?

Irish Rambler · Oct 29, 2015

Ordinary washing up liquid works fine.

Capt.Bill11 · Oct 29, 2015

Dawn, Joy, Ivory, etc., etc. take your pick.

Larry M · Oct 29, 2015

I've had the best success with 409 spray cleaner. All ready mixed and when you're done, the dinghy 's clean.

CaptTom · Oct 29, 2015

Where do they usually leak? Mine loses pressure over a few days, but it's such a slow leak I don't even know if I'd see bubbles. Could it be the pump-up fitting? Is it usually a seam?

rardoin · Oct 29, 2015

Before testing pump it up a bit more than the usual max so the leak will have more flow. I have used 409 as well on tires...it will foam/bubble nicely at the leak.

BandB · Oct 29, 2015

Capt.Bill11 said:
Dawn, Joy, Ivory, etc., etc. take your pick.

Wifey B: Use Palmolive. Milder on your hands.

BandB · Oct 29, 2015

CaptTom said:
Where do they usually leak? Mine loses pressure over a few days, but it's such a slow leak I don't even know if I'd see bubbles. Could it be the pump-up fitting? Is it usually a seam?

Fittings and seams are the most likely places to leak. Otherwise punctures of some sort.

jleonard · Oct 30, 2015

Any time I thought mine had a leak it was always dirt in the fill valves. Doesn't take much.

Shoalwaters · Nov 1, 2015

Thanks all. Shares in Palmolive on the rise, hands soft as face, have not yet found leak. Will try again with Dawn and report back.

Finding leak in my inflatable

Shoalwaters

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Irish Rambler

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Capt.Bill11

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Larry M

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CaptTom

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rardoin

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BandB

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BandB

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jleonard

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Shoalwaters

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