Inflatable cushion repairs?

[Donkey Basher]

Morning all,

Mrs DB bought me some self inflating cushions to use when up highseats or sitting on damp/cold ground. They’re the type that can be rolled up to expel air then when you want to use them you unscrew a valve & they suck air in returning to shape. You then screw the valve back up & have an air filled cushion to sit on.

Unfortunately they no longer hold air - yes I know, I shouldn’t have eaten all the pies

Before consigning them to the bin I was wondering if anyone had successfully repaired leaks in these & if so what did you use? The cushions are made of what I think is pvc - they’re this type of thing MFH Thermal Self Inflating Cushion – Deer Central

Any help, tips or tricks much appreciated

 

[Tyla]

I've had the expensive thermorest camping mats fixed but the seat ones are £8 odd from Ebay so never bothered. A terrible example of today's throw away society I'm afraid

 

[8x57]

Being the skinflint that I am I use a gardening kneeling pad that cost £1 from the pound shop. Brilliant investment as far as I am concerned and don't have to worry about punctures.

 

[Tyla]

They've gone up a bit since I last bought one

Pardon our interruption...

 

[Tyla]

They've gone up a bit since I last bought one

Pardon our interruption...

Cheaper from deer central

 

[Mike L]

I snagged a fold up foam one off @FISH BOY years ago, still going strong

 

[Mike996]

You could try a bicycle puncture repair kit if you can find the hole.

 

[weblyish]

I'm a mountain leader and have come across all the sit mats and rollmats in the world when out with groups

As others have said, closed cell foam won't leave you stranded when it springs a leak so I more reliable

a yoga mat is fine but thin.

Something like this is bulky but will keep you warm and cushioned

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/trekking-folding-foam-mattress-mt500-insulating-195-x-55-cm-1-person/_/R-p-306340

If you want something a bit more resilient then have a look at canoe kneeling mats although most canoers just use the above


But that said fixing what you've got is just like doing a bike tyre.

Fill it up
Find the leak in the bathtub or sink

If it is from the valve itself then it's a goner I'm afraid

If it is a pinprick in a flat bit then a bike tyre patch is fine

If it is around the valve or a seam then
Either stormsure or seamgrip will hold it

Stormsure - Fixes Almost Everything!

Welcome to Stormsure, your source for high-quality repair adhesives and kits. Our products, like the Stormsure Flexible Repair Adhesive, provide durable, waterproof, and flexible repairs for outdoor gear, water sports equipment, and more. Fix wetsuits, tents, or inflatable boats with Stormsure.

stormsure.com

If you are not one for looks then a layer of duct tape on the bottom gives a bit more protection from splinters and thorns (for the mat I mean. Your own protection can come from extra sausage rolls)

 

[FISH BOY]

I snagged a fold up foam one off @FISH BOY years ago, still going strong

mine too. Cheap as chips but useful.

On Amazon.

 

[TringSaint]

Morning all,

Mrs DB bought me some self inflating cushions to use when up highseats or sitting on damp/cold ground. They’re the type that can be rolled up to expel air then when you want to use them you unscrew a valve & they suck air in returning to shape. You then screw the valve back up & have an air filled cushion to sit on.

Unfortunately they no longer hold air - yes I know, I shouldn’t have eaten all the pies

Before consigning them to the bin I was wondering if anyone had successfully repaired leaks in these & if so what did you use? The cushions are made of what I think is pvc - they’re this type of thing MFH Thermal Self Inflating Cushion – Deer Central

Any help, tips or tricks much appreciated

Have a look at thermarest repair kits - Thermarest Permanent Home Repair Kit

 

[Klenchblaize]

Somewhere I have the skin of one of these seats that I saved with the intention of using as elbow patches. Just can't recall where I put it but if I do you can have it.

 K

 

[sauer]

Cup of foamy water and paint brush
Blow up mat
Paint it with brush look for bubbles
Mark area with crayon or sharpie
Dry
Blob of aquasure or stormsure

 

[Donkey Basher]

Thanks folks - know where the leak is, it’s just question of putting a patch on it using a suitable adhesive. Unfortunately, as mentioned above, we’re living in a throw away society as it’s cheaper to just buy a new cushion than buy some of the repair kits!

 

[Cyres]

You could try either of these.
D

 

[tozzybum]

Go to any push bike shop as please nicely any old inner tubes .They're happy to give them away, 1 tube is many many patches .
As above a decent rubber glue means years of cheap repairs.

 

[Koenig]

I use a Thermarest, they’re great until they get a puncture. Stormsure or similar is your best bet to repair them, but I found I ended up buying a new one which I take a lot more care of and only use in high seats. So far, so good, however I’d probably buy a closed cell roll mat because they’re more robust and far less expensive.

 

[willie_gunn]

Cut up an old pair of wellies by cutting around the top of the "shoe", leaving you with a column of rubber through which your leg used to pass.

Cut down the back seam of the column.

You now have a handy-dandy rubber mat that can be rolled up and stuck in a pocket or backpack, and then retrieved and laid out on seat of the the high seat.

Pop the (repaired) cushion on top.

The rubber mat adds a thin layer of insulation that will help to both keep the cushion dry and prevent it getting punctured by splinters, etc.

 

[Donkey Basher]

Well for a couple of quid I’ve bought a repair kit & so last afternoon I stuck a patch over the hole I’d found previously, put some polystyrene either side & clamped up overnight to go off. Took the clamps off this afternoon & tested the repair under water & bingo, it’s fixed.

BUT, turns out there was another hole as well so guess I’ll be putting a patch on that later once the sun has dried the cushion off!

 

[Jagged77]

Well for a couple of quid I’ve bought a repair kit & so last afternoon I stuck a patch over the hole I’d found previously, put some polystyrene either side & clamped up overnight to go off. Took the clamps off this afternoon & tested the repair under water & bingo, it’s fixed.

BUT, turns out there was another hole as well so guess I’ll be putting a patch on that later once the sun has dried the cushion off!

I’ve used the thermarest repair kits before and they’ve worked well

 

[Donkey Basher]

I’ve bought one off the internet, small tube of glue & a piece of translucent vinyl to cut into patches - cost about £3.

Anyway, having found the second leak I decided to dig out another cushion I’ve got that has a leak too & see where that is & whether I can fix it.

Whale oil beef hooked - it’s in exactly the same place as the holes on the other cushion! Seems there’s a weak spot in the weld where they put the valve in