Ecosyste.ms: Awesome

An open API service indexing awesome lists of open source software.

Awesome Lists | Featured Topics | Projects

https://github.com/felikcat/inflatable-academy

:balloon: Minimize your own mistakes with handling or repairing inflatables
https://github.com/felikcat/inflatable-academy

deflation inflatable inflation latex rubber squeak vinyl

Last synced: about 2 months ago
JSON representation

:balloon: Minimize your own mistakes with handling or repairing inflatables

Awesome Lists containing this project

README 

        
:experimental:

ifdef::env-github[]

:icons:

:tip-caption: :bulb:

:note-caption: :information_source:

:important-caption: :heavy_exclamation_mark:

:caution-caption: :fire:

:warning-caption: :warning:

endif::[]

:imagesdir: Images/



== Storage

. Getting all air out of an inflatable makes it hard to fold. Keep some air in, fold it, then vaccum seal it off if desired.



. Store vinyl or latex inflatables inside of undyed & unwaxed cotton bags (called "canvas bags"); they must look similar to this in color: +

image:LEAFICO_cotton_bags.jpg[480,240]



. Do not store inflatables in:

- Plastic bags (Ziploc, etc.), it leeches plasticizers out.

- Dyed/pigmented fabric bags, they will permanently stain vinyl.



. Leave the inflatable's valves open to prevent mold build-up while in storage.



. Ensure the inflatable is dry, as vinyl can also mold on the outside.



== Cleaning

* A pencil eraser can get rid of undesirable marks/scuffs. While the eraser is dry, try using it on an inflatable; if that doesn't work, then wet the area with water and try erasing again.



.Recommended for at least once a week while in active use:

. Get a 950 mL (32 oz) spray bottle, fill it half-way with warm water, put 45 mL (3 tablespoons) of *non-concentrated* dish soap into the bottle, then finish the bottle up with warm water.



. Have two microfiber cloths. One for wiping off soap, and the other for further drying.



== Finding leaks

. Inflate until it feels over-inflated and very firm.



. Spray with an even ratio of the bottle you've made, and spread it around with your hands. Ensure your inflatable feels like a bar of soap.

Look for expanded bubbles; this may take up to hours to appear, unless you apply pressure to areas you think will leak.



== Trimming vinyl to make strips

* Use a Paper Guillotine to make precise cuts on small sheets of vinyl.



- If the vinyl is too large for a Paper Guillotine, use a rotary cutter alongside a measuring object, such as a cutting mat with a ruler painted on.



== Handling an inflatable



. Vinyl-safe lubes:

- *Storage safe:* Corn starch, unscented talcum powder (not recommended).

- *Temporary use only:* Silicone lube, Petroleum Jelly.



. Latex-safe lubes:

- *Storage safe:* Unscented talcum powder.

- *Temporary use only:* Silicone lube.



. Avoid for long-periods of time:

- Leaving an vinyl or latex on a hangar.

- Having the vinyl or latex touch itself. 



== Applying vinyl glue



=== Warnings

. Ensure you can exhaust air out of your workshop quickly by using a high-velocity fan or other means.



. Never work around electronics; sparks mixed in with gas fumes can start a flash fire.



. Wear a gas mask or painter respirator.

- You can start looking at gas masks https://gasmaskandrespirator.fandom.com/wiki/Category:Current[here].



. Or ignore the above by simply working outdoors, and not working near a power source.



=== Tips

. Use a 19 or 20 gauge syringe tip, which ever you prefer.

- Too low of a gauge will leak out glue, while too high makes it impossible to get glue out.



. Do not have air inside of the syringe holding the vinyl glue, it will cause the glue to leak out.



. Use a UV flashlight to see if the vinyl's surface is clean before applying glue to it.



. Vinyl glue is toxic before it dries. Wear nitrile gloves while handling.

- Avoid latex gloves, they deteriorate on contact with vinyl glue.



. Heat acts as removal for vinyl glue, and so does direct sunlight. Keep it in mind.



. To ensure the glue does its job:

- Apply the glue evenly and thinly.

- Split the work of gluing each vinyl strip into parts. Take it slow and work your way up.

- Do not apply too much glue in a given area.



== Buying ATBC plasticizer

NOTE: DINP is a more effective plasticizer than ATBC, via: more elasticity, resistance against skin oils, and less plasticizer leeching. +

If you do not trust the safety of DINP, ATBC is the go-to.



=== Good sellers

. https://www.inflatableworld-wsp.de/catalog/product_info.php/atbc-softener-liter-p-220?currency=EUR[Inflatable World]



== Buying DINP plasticizer

=== Warnings

. Sellers from Alibaba overcharge greatly; their average cost for 1kg/1000mL is around $100, plus $80 or more shipping.

. Some chemical companies such as Sigma-Aldrich only sell to chemists that work for a university or via your company's approval.

- This also applies to the sale of ATBC.

. Bad sellers could mix in sunflower oil or water into the DINP as a way to cheap out; the sunflower oil is harmful to inflatables.

. Wear nitrile gloves to protect yourself from DINP (or ATBC) while applying it to an inflatable.



=== Good sellers

. https://inflationresource.online/product/dinp/[Inflationresource]



== Tools



=== Vinyl glue



. https://rhadhesives.com/product/hh-66-vinyl-cement-product/[HH-66 Vinyl Cement] is the gold standard, though some countries cannot purchase this locally.



. https://www.loctiteproducts.com/en/products/specialty-products/specialty/loctite_vinyl_fabricplasticflexibleadhesive.html[Loctite Vinyl, Fabric & Plastic Adhesive] is much higher price than HH-66 and not as high quality, but is easy to apply.



=== Vinyl glue removal

. https://rhadhesives.com/product/hh-66-thinner/[HH-66 Thinner] or Acetone.



=== For inflating

* United States: https://www.amazon.com/Texsport-Double-Action-Hand-Mattress/dp/B000P9IRVK[Texsport's Double Action Hand Pump] is high quality for the price.



=== Self-healing cutting mat

- Quality brands: Dahle, OLFA



=== Stainless steel rotary cutter

- Quality brands: OLFA



TIP: Do not cheap out, as you'll end up spending more money later after being frustrated with blades that mess up your vinyl cuts. Avoid the Fiskers brand and all no-name brands.



=== Brayer Roller

. Do not use Brayer Rollers that contain any latex (natural rubber).



=== UV Flashlight

Read 1lumen's "https://1lumen.com/best-uv-flashlight[The Best UV Flashlights tested]".



CAUTION: Without eye protection, your eyes will hurt while using a UV flashlight, and in the long-term you risk permanent eye-sight damage.



.What can be done?

* Wear polycarbonate safety glasses or goggles with at least the ANSI Z87.1-2020 certification.



- The https://www.amazon.com/Tool-Klean-Safety-Glasses-Protection/dp/B081BHTJT8[NoCry 6X3 goggles] or https://www.amazon.com/Tool-Klean-Safety-Glasses-Protection/dp/B081BHTJT8[Tool Klean Safety Glasses] are suitable.



== Enlarging an inflatable

CAUTION: This results permanently in weakened seams and deformation.



.The following methods to do this are:

. Exposing the toy to direct sun-light for a long time.



. Using a steam cleaner to push steam into the toy.



. Leaving an inflatable over-inflated for 3 days; higher humidity or higher temperature will accelerate this process.



== Visual tutorials & education

Intended as a supplement to this guide.



. https://www.youtube.com/@candycoatedkink[Candy Coated Squeaks].



== More info



.See here for the context behind decisions in this guide.

[%collapsible]

====



. Known harmful for contact with vinyl:

- Baby oil, Coconut oil, Mineral oil, Water-based lube, Vegetable oil, Lithium grease, WD-40 (and other sprays containing solvents).

- Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline) is safe for vinyl, but unsafe for latex.

- Non-vinyl glues, such as Gorilla Glue and other superglue products.

- Duct tape and other forms of tape not made for vinyl.



. Going above 0.4mm (16 gauge/16 mil) thick vinyl. 0.6mm and above will have problems sticking to seams and vinyl glue, and lowers durability by over-stressing the surrounding vinyl.



====