I hope this is the right place for this subject?
Our club has installed a rubberized fabric called Petromat for a 500'X30" runway.
Anybody know a a GOOD double sided tape (4"X4") that our club could use when we make a less then perfect landing on it....small hole?
It would have to something that is used in the roofing profession and is weather proof??
Any ideas?
Jim S.

Jim, we are on 12 years or so on ours. We have not found a great patching material. We heard of a club in NM that was using roofing emulsion. I admit we have not tried it. The best thing I have found is contact cement. One of the guys had some he used to sheet foam wings and it worked pretty good. It is still hit or miss and I can't really tell you why. We only patch once a year. Some patches last a couple years and some blow off in a few months. All done at the same time the same way. The only thing I can figure is the ground just holds moisture longer in some places. Ours is down on dirt/clay not grass, and it will stay damp for a week after a good rain.
Second best thing I tried was 30 minute epoxy. It will hold the patch a year or so. If it is a big spot, like from a crash, just staple a new piece over the top. When I say staple I mean use the 6" turf staples like ours is held down with.

Good luck, David

I do a lot of theatrical stuff and in the theatre, we use a tape called "Gaffer's Tape" It's similar to Duct Tape, but it's flat black, and it holds much better than duct tape.

Several years ago I obtained a couple of rolls of a 3M double face tape that was made for outdoor carpeting.It was very sticky and held very tenaciously.It's meant to be a permanant install. here's a link to look at.

<a href="http://products3.3m.com/catalog/us/en001/home_leisure/-/node_GSGDF3PBF3gs/root_GS2MT8MCQBgv/vroot_BWFLZ648DFge/bgel_PXZRDG33CZbl/gvel_1PJCVMS7GXgl/theme_us_chimpartnersupport_3_0/command_AbcPageHandler/output_html">http://products3.3m.com/catalog/us/e...3gs/root_GS2MT
8MCQBgv/vroot_BWFLZ648DFge/bgel_PXZRDG33CZbl/gvel_1PJCVMS7GXgl/theme_us_chimpartnersupport_3_0/command_AbcPageHandler/output_html</a>
this link seem to be broken.if you google 3m outdoor carpet tape you should be able to find this stuff

Paul S

The best way to make a repair is to stitch a patch in place. Go to a place that sells leatherworking equipment to get curved needles to do it with (or perhaps your local shoe repair).

Itried to fix the Link, it didn't work.

here isa scan from a web page I found by googling '3M outdoor carpet tape' . this is the stuff I was talking about. Unfortunatley I have no idea where you could buy this tape, maybe a carpet installer or carpet supply company.

try gorilla tape they sell it at home depot this stuff is stronger then duck tape

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053

I have not tried all these tapes. So some may work, the problem is the sun. UV will eat up most of these tapes in a season or less.

David

the gorilla tape holds up well i use it at my summer home on some traps last about 5 months before i replace it ,{nothing last forever} and it still hard to get off holds very good

I found this website that has the scotch double sided oudoor carpet tape.this is for permanent installation.http://www.shagtools.com/tools/scotc...-36-ct3010.cfm. it sells for $5.36 a roll.
Paul S.

Jim,

Our club uses black silicone caulk and small swatches of petromat material to patch the runway. We just glue the swatch on the backside of the runway and smooth the silicone over the hole with a putty knife. Works well.

Stan

Stan (JustPlaneSweet) How long would you say your oldest patch might be and when they deteriorate how do they act, etc.???? Thanks...........

Thanks guys for all the good suggestions. I have ordered the 3-M double sided tape and we will try that for a quickie fix?? If it is used under the mat (out of sun) maybe it will last??
I think (like most of you) that the black silicone caulk is the best way to go....Thanks Stan! The only problem I see with opening a large caulk tube is you better use it all as it will get hard.
But, maybe once a year thing might be the way to go with this method.
Jim

GarySS,

I got some pictures for you at the field today. We aren't sure off the top of our heads how long the Petromat has been down. We did it in three sections. I went to the oldest area and took the photos. I would estimate the patches at between 6 to 8 years old. I also took a photo of the black silicone seal we are using.

The patches hold up well.

Stan

Thanks for the valuable information and pictures!!