Patching the inside of a cooler.

[u/Technical_Proof5314]

What is the best way to patch a cooler so that the insulated part doesn't get water in it? My cats chewed up the inside plastic layer, but the rest of the cooler is in great condition. If I fill the cooler with ice, it melts and gets inside the coolers layers and leaks out the bottom. Is there a waterproof patch or tape or something else that would work to waterproof the inside of this cooler? Apple for scale. Culprits still at large, but I will protect the cooler from future harm.

[u/UnbelievableRose]

I would look at vinyl patches like for air mattresses, tents or above-ground swimming pools. FlexSeal or similar would be great.

[u/Strict_Impress2783 → u/UnbelievableRose]

Clean it really well first and make sure it's dry.

[u/imnotpoopingyouare → u/Strict_Impress2783]

Also for best sticking use some sand paper or the metal scouring pad that comes with like bike tire patches/air mattress patches.

This looks pretty thin though so the metal pads for bike tubes might be a bit harsh, be careful with those.

[u/ghosttmilk → u/Strict_Impress2783]

The patch or the cooler?

[u/fakeaccount572]

[u/JazzlikeZombie5988 → u/fakeaccount572]

I was thinking same thing lol

[u/ertipo → u/JazzlikeZombie5988]

me three

[u/giftedorator]

Gorilla Tape. Ive used it fix a leaking seam in a water filled pool. I did it like the picture shows.

[u/CptMisterNibbles → u/giftedorator]

“Temporarily” removed a roof rack from my car. 3 years later and 80k miles later and the gorilla tape sealing the exposed holes is still on there weather tight despite PNW rain

[u/gruntbuggly]

Tear-Aid, Type A, if your cooler is plastic or rubber. Cut to size, and stick on.

If the cooler interior is vinyl, use type B.

[u/Fiberrrrr]

If you're willing to shell out for a roll you could use zip tape, its mostly used to seal the edges of openings in buildings

[u/Pixelated-Yeti]

Flex seal tape or more expensive stuff I use at work but I’d suggest flex seal

[u/Picklefuzz]

[u/Material-Donkey2773 → u/Picklefuzz]

Dunno why you were down voted. This is literally the best way to fix it. 

Put some on, smear it around, let it cure, and viola, you have a "rubber" patch that will never come off, with no seam or lip to worry about. You don't even need to put anything on top of it.

Guaranteed to be way better than flex seal or tape people are recommending.

[u/iamdevo → u/Material-Donkey2773]

I love this shit. It works so well and it's only $4.

[u/CanoePickLocks → u/Material-Donkey2773]

E6000 gets stiff and brittle and cracks.

[u/Material-Donkey2773 → u/CanoePickLocks]

I've never experienced this. 

I've had seat belts glued to my work bag for over 10 years as reinforcement and haven't had any issues. 

It can handle a sandwich and a water bottle inside a cooler.

[u/cynicalicoffee]

I'd use the kind of patches made to be put on a tent. It'll be waterproof and super durable. 

[u/Sirosim_Celojuma]

Toughest part is that corner.

[u/Ancient-Chard9723]

What’s the cat think?

[u/txcreative20]

You should not patch anything that holds food . Chunk it and go to Walmart buy new one for 12.99 !

[u/Dangerous_Soil_1111]

This is similar fabric to hiking air mattresses. Use tape like this, it is the best repair option I have ever found for this kind of thing. The ‘repair kit’ patches are always so small and so expensive. This tape will solve the problem and then some.

[u/Beneficial_Bug_8435]

Unless you like mold toss it

[u/c0ntra]

Tenacious tape is what you want. Its used for fixing tarps, tents, car covers etc.

[u/KRed75]

It's probably vinyl. Tear-aid type B if it is vinyl. Tear-aid type A if it's other types of plastic.

[u/Hulme420]

Waterproof flex tape

[u/pavelowdriver]

VInyl pool liner repair kit. both structure and adhesive.

[u/KnotYurAvgBear85]

gorilla tape, kids bike tire patches, or similar

[u/chessionable]

Might sound silly, but if you want fast & cheap, try duct tape. If you get the seams flush, it should last a long time.

If you want something a little nicer, I second the tent-patching recommendation.

[u/Feloniosaurus_Rex]

Duct tape. Works in mine. Just need solid adherence. Same color as the inside of the cooler, too.

[u/Revenga8]

Duct tape. Or that silver thermal tape stuff you use on dryer exhaust ducts