Storage

1. Getting all air out of an inflatable makes it hard to fold. Keep some air in, fold it, then vaccum seal it off if desired.

2. Store vinyl or latex inflatables inside of undyed & unwaxed cotton bags (called "canvas bags"); they must look similar to this in color:
   

3. Do not store inflatables in:

   • Plastic bags (Ziploc, etc.), it leeches plasticizers out.

   • Dyed/pigmented fabric bags, they will permanently stain vinyl.

4. Leave the inflatable’s valves open to prevent mold build-up while in storage.

5. Ensure the inflatable is dry, as vinyl can also mold on the outside.

Cleaning

• A pencil eraser can get rid of undesirable marks/scuffs. While the eraser is dry, try using it on an inflatable; if that doesn’t work, then wet the area with water and try erasing again.

Recommended for at least once a week while in active use:

1. Get a 950 mL (32 oz) spray bottle, fill it half-way with warm water, put 45 mL (3 tablespoons) of non-concentrated dish soap into the bottle, then finish the bottle up with warm water.

2. Have two microfiber cloths. One for wiping off soap, and the other for further drying.

Finding leaks

1. Inflate until it feels over-inflated and very firm.

2. Spray with an even ratio of the bottle you’ve made, and spread it around with your hands. Ensure your inflatable feels like a bar of soap. Look for expanded bubbles; this may take up to hours to appear, unless you apply pressure to areas you think will leak.

Trimming vinyl to make strips

• Use a Paper Guillotine to make precise cuts on small sheets of vinyl.

  • If the vinyl is too large for a Paper Guillotine, use a rotary cutter alongside a measuring object, such as a cutting mat with a ruler painted on.

Handling an inflatable

1. Vinyl-safe lubes:

   • Storage safe: Corn starch, unscented talcum powder (not recommended).

   • Temporary use only: Silicone lube, Petroleum Jelly.

2. Latex-safe lubes:

   • Storage safe: Unscented talcum powder.

   • Temporary use only: Silicone lube.

3. Avoid for long-periods of time:

   • Leaving an vinyl or latex on a hangar.

   • Having the vinyl or latex touch itself.

Applying vinyl glue

Warnings

1. Ensure you can exhaust air out of your workshop quickly by using a high-velocity fan or other means.

2. Never work around electronics; sparks mixed in with gas fumes can start a flash fire.

3. Wear a gas mask or painter respirator.

   • You can start looking at gas masks here.

4. Or ignore the above by simply working outdoors, and not working near a power source.

Tips

1. Use a 19 or 20 gauge syringe tip, which ever you prefer.

   • Too low of a gauge will leak out glue, while too high makes it impossible to get glue out.

2. Do not have air inside of the syringe holding the vinyl glue, it will cause the glue to leak out.

3. Use a UV flashlight to see if the vinyl’s surface is clean before applying glue to it.

4. Vinyl glue is toxic before it dries. Wear nitrile gloves while handling.

   • Avoid latex gloves, they deteriorate on contact with vinyl glue.

5. Heat acts as removal for vinyl glue, and so does direct sunlight. Keep it in mind.

6. To ensure the glue does its job:

   • Apply the glue evenly and thinly.

   • Split the work of gluing each vinyl strip into parts. Take it slow and work your way up.

   • Do not apply too much glue in a given area.

Buying ATBC plasticizer

ℹ️	DINP is a more effective plasticizer than ATBC, via: more elasticity, resistance against skin oils, and less plasticizer leeching. If you do not trust the safety of DINP, ATBC is the go-to.

Good sellers

1. Inflatable World

Buying DINP plasticizer

Warnings

1. Sellers from Alibaba overcharge greatly; their average cost for 1kg/1000mL is around $100, plus $80 or more shipping.

2. Some chemical companies such as Sigma-Aldrich only sell to chemists that work for a university or via your company’s approval.

   • This also applies to the sale of ATBC.

3. Bad sellers could mix in sunflower oil or water into the DINP as a way to cheap out; the sunflower oil is harmful to inflatables.

4. Wear nitrile gloves to protect yourself from DINP (or ATBC) while applying it to an inflatable.

Good sellers

1. Inflationresource

Tools

Vinyl glue

1. HH-66 Vinyl Cement is the gold standard, though some countries cannot purchase this locally.

2. Loctite Vinyl, Fabric & Plastic Adhesive is much higher price than HH-66 and not as high quality, but is easy to apply.

Vinyl glue removal

1. HH-66 Thinner or Acetone.

For inflating

• United States: Texsport’s Double Action Hand Pump is high quality for the price.

Self-healing cutting mat

• Quality brands: Dahle, OLFA

Stainless steel rotary cutter

• Quality brands: OLFA

💡	Do not cheap out, as you’ll end up spending more money later after being frustrated with blades that mess up your vinyl cuts. Avoid the Fiskers brand and all no-name brands.

Brayer Roller

1. Do not use Brayer Rollers that contain any latex (natural rubber).

UV Flashlight

Read 1lumen’s "The Best UV Flashlights tested".

🔥	Without eye protection, your eyes will hurt while using a UV flashlight, and in the long-term you risk permanent eye-sight damage.

What can be done?

• Wear polycarbonate safety glasses or goggles with at least the ANSI Z87.1-2020 certification.

  • The NoCry 6X3 goggles or Tool Klean Safety Glasses are suitable.

Enlarging an inflatable

🔥	This results permanently in weakened seams and deformation.

The following methods to do this are:

1. Exposing the toy to direct sun-light for a long time.

2. Using a steam cleaner to push steam into the toy.

3. Leaving an inflatable over-inflated for 3 days; higher humidity or higher temperature will accelerate this process.

Visual tutorials & education

Intended as a supplement to this guide.

1. Candy Coated Squeaks.

More info

See here for the context behind decisions in this guide.

1. Known harmful for contact with vinyl:

   • Baby oil, Coconut oil, Mineral oil, Water-based lube, Vegetable oil, Lithium grease, WD-40 (and other sprays containing solvents).

   • Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline) is safe for vinyl, but unsafe for latex.

   • Non-vinyl glues, such as Gorilla Glue and other superglue products.

   • Duct tape and other forms of tape not made for vinyl.

2. Going above 0.4mm (16 gauge/16 mil) thick vinyl. 0.6mm and above will have problems sticking to seams and vinyl glue, and lowers durability by over-stressing the surrounding vinyl.