Royalite and d-rings

[Sparky]

I'm having alot of trouble keeping d-rings in my Spark (Esquif). I've outfitted alot of royalex canoes over the last 20+ years and never blown a d-ring. My Spark came outfitted and I wasted no time pulling the d-rings loose. Esquif and NOC said to put them back in with vinabond...did it. Not the answer. The vinabond has softened the first layer of the laminate and left it stuck to the old d-rings. I pulled the saddle for the 3rd time. I've used contact cement for the knee cups and saddle and that works great and doesn't compromise the laminate. Brian Heikenen (Esquif rep) told me to sand and apply sta-bond. I e-mailed him expressing the fact that one layer of the laminate had come off with their d-ring installation. Never heard back hmmmmmm? I really like this boat, but it's becoming very labor intensive.

If anybody out there has any positive experience with royalite and adhesives let me know please. I have a call into NOC, but they're hard to get hold of in January and I haven't been able to find the sta-bond yet Please post your knowledge and e-mail me if you like. b.glover@att.net

Thanks, Brent

[Tmuse]

sta-bond works great, The OOO store here in Hot Springs has the sta-bond in stock or they can order it. Hope this helps Here is the #1-501-767-1373

[Pad1dle]

Sta-bond will glue directly to the green core and will stay put. Trace the d-ring outline,cut and remove the loose inner skin. Sand ,clean and follow gluing instructions for the Sta-bond. I use de-natured alcohol to clean before gluing.
Vinabond, if applied wet, will melt stuff!
I also have had it to come loose when using old stock. I'am not sure even new vinabond is the quality it once was. Jerry

[Sparky]

I talked to Wayner at NOC last night and he swears by vynabond. His application method was similar to mine. I found stabond at NRS in stock.

Looks like I have 3 votes for stabond and 1 for vynabond. The vynabond has already melted through one layer of the laminate. Probably going to go with stabond. The Esquif rep recommended prepping with acetone, don't know if that makes any difference.

Thanks for the input and I'm still open to any additional advice.

Brent

[Pad1dle]

My suggestions were for damaged or missing vinyl skin. You will need Sta-bond if the inner vinyl skin is damaged. Refer to my other reply.
You could use vynabond if the inner skin is good. Vynabond will not adhere to the inner core. Jerry

[Sparky]

Jerry,
I'm through the first layer, the vynabond melted that from the factory. I applied 4 d-rings of my own with vynabond and they are fine. They were applied to the original surface to retain airbags. So I'm starting at the next layer for my thighstrap d-rings. I've sanded off the remaining first layer and will use new d-rings.

NRS has good directions for using stabond on their web site. I just need to make sure it will adhere to my d-rings or get the right d-rings. I think I'll give NRS a call. I've got to get this right before I melt my way through the hull. Thanks.

Brent