Patch a Leaky Air Mattress, Inflatable Boat, etc.

Step 6 Rough Up Around the Leaks

I'm using sandpaper to rough up the area around the leaks. One of the leaks is in the top surface which has a flocked fibery surface. I sanded that until most of the fibers were gone and I was down to the plastic.

I didn't need to de-grease because this thing is old enough that the manufacturing oil has worn off already. Water sheeted out on it when I had it in the lagoon looking for bubbles.