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How to Make Vinyl Air Bunkers

Keep your kayak afloat using your own homemade vinyl air bunkers. A vinyl air bunker requires two sheets of vinyl and a valve stem. Vinyl can be purchased at hobby stores and fabric stores. Valve stems can be purchased at hardware and automotive repair shops. These types of valve stems are the same type that are found on a bicycle or car. A vinyl air bunker will require a mender specifically made for this material. Most adhesives use in this type of process are used for leather and vinyl.

Things You'll Need

Tape measure
Box cutter
2 vinyl sheets, 24 inches by 36 inches
Rubber valve stem
Vinyl and leather mender
Air pump

Instructions

- 1
  Cut a hole in one of your vinyl sheets that is 1/4 inch by 1/4 inch so it is 3 inches away from the 24-inch edge and 18 inches away from each 36-inch edge.
- 2
  Apply the mender to the rubber valve stem and insert it through the hole on the sheet. Let the mender dry according to the instructions listed on the package.
- 3
  Lay the uncut vinyl sheet flat and run a bead of mender around its perimeter so it is 1/2 inch away from the edges and 1/4 inch wide. Lay the second sheet on top of the vinyl so the edges are flush and so you have access to the valve stem. Let the mender dry.
- 4
  Pump air into the bunker until it is full. Do not pump the bunker so the seams rip.

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