Help Repairing My Sagging Inflatables - Is Rejuvination Possible ?

**DaveMcK** · 11-26-2018, 09:41 AM

Originally Posted by bowl3001999

Thank you, I have read about using sealer, fabric softener but never starch. Do you just spray it on the seams? I just wanted to make sure it doesn't leave marks.

If an inflatable is only sagging a little you can be selective, but I usually spray the entire figure. My thinking is that if you do see a difference in color because of the starch, it will at least be consistent.
You can use most anything that will fill the fabric pores. In one case I went as far as using clear spray paint. It gave me a noticably shiny surface in daylight, but didn't look bad when lit at night.

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**dcamron** · 11-26-2018, 10:48 AM

I used spray glue on my Winnie The Pooh and Tigger inflatables a few years ago. It took a couple of tries but they inflate nicely now. I turned each one of them on, reached my hand through the zipper with a can of spray glue and tried to hit the areas I thought were leaking more. I also sprayed glue in the middle and let it leak through the fabric. It's messy
and I should have worn respiratory and skin protection. Some of the glue gets through the small holes and onto your clothes, skin, etc. After the application I let them run for a few days to make sure the glue was dry. I only use 2 inflatables for Christmas and those usually run 24x7.

**richnat** · 02-26-2020, 12:49 PM

I have a pair of 2003 Gemmy 12.5 foot inflatables that just won't stand up. The fans are large and blow very strong but both are limp noodles. I took the best one and treated all the seams with gooey tent seam sealer and then sprayed the entire inflatable from the inside with silicone waterproofer and nothing. I'd really like to get these working again if there is any way possible as they are of a fantastic design. Any other ideas anyone could share? I tried to add a second but smaller fan and it made absolutely no difference.

**DaveMcK** · 02-26-2020, 01:07 PM

If the fans are strong you are obviously losing air somewhere. Sealing the seams and coating the fabric usually solves that problem.
I can only suggest powering up then going over the inflatable inch by inch feeling for any large unexpected airflow then resealing those areas as needed.

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**Peter G** · 10-25-2021, 08:35 AM

Thanks for all the info. I too have a Gemmy inflatable from the early 2000's that I put up every couple of years for Halloween. It has not seen that much use (time) and worked fine about 2 years ago. I only run mine for about 4 hours a day and don't generally put them up until a week before Halloween. I store them in my garage so they are dry and only exposed to normal external temperatures in Ohio, not so warm. This year I plugged it in and just as everybody else mentions it does not stand all the way up. I immediately thought of the motor or something impeding intake or output of air. Could find no evidence of that. If I gently squeeze and hold the base it will stand all the way up.

If anyone is more mechanically inclined than I and have tried opening the plastic motor case and oiling it, I would love to hear about it or see a picture of where to add some oil. I do not want to spray it into the unit when operating as I can't see that as being effective to get it to where it is needed and it will coat the inside of the inflatable which I don't think will be beneficial.

I am going to order some seam sealer and was hoping that I could get some feed back on the motor oiling before it arrives. I would love to put it up for Halloween this year but time is getting short.

Appreciate any help!!

**dirknerkle** · 10-25-2021, 08:54 AM

You might drop by places that sell inflatable pools or marine stores that sell inflatable recreational marine products. They would likely have repair kits specifically for vinyls.

**DrWizard** · 11-21-2022, 06:56 PM

We were given several huge holiday inflatables, which all seem to be in good condition, except that they won't fully inflate. They all use the big 120V blowers which are all working fine and putting out plenty of air. I examined all of them meticulously and could not find any significant holes or tears. I did fix a few tiny pinholes (less than 1/16") but that did not help.
So next I performed a "smoke test", literally, by setting of smoke bombs at the blower inlet. And they are literally leaking everywhere, along every inch of every seam and even through the fabric itself. So I've been rooting thru this thread, and numerous others on other sites, and have not found any clear-cut answers about what to seal and rejuvenate them with except maybe ScotchGuard. And as for that, they make quite a few different products including at least 3 different outdoor sun and water products. Atsko Silicone Water-Guard was also mentioned and looks promising.
So while I appreciate everyone jumping in on this thread, trying to help, and speculating what possibly might work, I respectfully ask that you only post products that you have actually tried and know that work. (Even though I admittedly have been known to post speculations.)
Thanks!

**angus40** · 11-21-2022, 07:09 PM

Originally Posted by DrWizard

We were given several huge holiday inflatables, which all seem to be in good condition, except that they won't fully inflate. They all use the big 120V blowers which are all working fine and putting out plenty of air. I examined all of them meticulously and could not find any significant holes or tears. I did fix a few tiny pinholes (less than 1/16") but that did not help.
So next I performed a "smoke test", literally, by setting of smoke bombs at the blower inlet. And they are literally leaking everywhere, along every inch of every seam and even through the fabric itself. So I've been rooting thru this thread, and numerous others on other sites, and have not found any clear-cut answers about what to seal and rejuvenate them with except maybe ScotchGuard. And as for that, they make quite a few different products including at least 3 different outdoor sun and water products. Atsko Silicone Water-Guard was also mentioned and looks promising.
So while I appreciate everyone jumping in on this thread, trying to help, and speculating what possibly might work, I respectfully ask that you only post products that you have actually tried and know that work. (Even though I admittedly have been known to post speculations.)
Thanks!

I would be very tempted to use/try neverwet by rustoleum as it addresses adhesion issues like ice, mud , water etc.

**DrWizard** · 11-21-2022, 07:45 PM

I am familiar with NeverWet. It is expensive and tricky to apply. Even worse, it doesn't last very long. NeverWet is superhydrophobic, so it chemically repels water, a trick that depends on water's surface tension to work. Therefore I doubt it is very effective at sealing air leaks.
There are a lot of products that at first look would seem to work, but you have to be careful about the thickness/weight, flexibility, and UV resistance. I actually have a large case of spray-on Flex-Seal that I scored a great deal on. I use it as a 'conformal coating' to seal all my electronics for outdoor use. But it's too thick and heavy to use on the inflatables. That's why I am wondering what people have actually tried that actually works.

**Joe Paul** · 11-25-2022, 12:19 PM

Hi Folks,

I've had good results by spraying inside the balloon with Krylon clear spray paint, but it does make the the fabric a little stiff. If you can get your arm inside the running balloon and spray a few bursts, it seems to go right into the leaks. Use as little as possible and do it outside.

Hope this helps!

Take care, Joe.