How to Remove Kinks From Vinyl Tubing
Vinyl tubing is used in a wide variety of ways, from providing an air supply to an aquarium and plumbing uses around the house to applications in many hobbies and crafts. Vinyl tubing is flexible and typically comes in a roll.
Unfortunately, rolling vinyl tubing can create kinks in the tubing or torque it in a way that prevents it from lying straight. Although kinks in vinyl tubing will eventually work their way out, you can speed the process up.
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Insert one end of the vinyl tubing into a table clamp secured to a sturdy work surface. Do not close the clamp tightly. Close it just enough that the end of the vinyl tubing does not slip out.
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Stretch out the vinyl tubing until it is perfectly straight and has no kinks in it. Attach another table clamp to the work surface and secure the end of the vinyl tubing in it. The tubing should be suspended and straight between the two clamps.
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Turn on a hair dryer to the highest temperature and position the end of the nozzle at least 6 inches away from the vinyl tubing.
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Move the hair dryer along the entire length of the vinyl tubing using a continuous movement. Continue heating the tubing for 30 to 60 seconds.
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Pour cold water into a spray bottle and immediately spray the entire surface of the vinyl tubing to cool it down as quickly as possible. Wipe the tubing with a paper towel to remove all of the moisture.
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Open one of the table clamps to see if the tubing is straight. If so, open the other clamp and remove the tubing. If the tubing is still not straight, reinsert it into the clamp and repeat the heating.
Things You Will Need
- Table clamps
- Hair dryer
- Spray bottle
- Paper towel
- Duct tape
- Heat gun (optional)
Tip
If you do not have table clamps, you can use duct tape to attach the ends to the work surface as long as the duct tape is heat-resistant. You can use a heat gun instead of a hair dryer, but increase the distance to at least 10 or 12 inches to prevent the tubing from melting.
References
Writer Bio
Kimberly Johnson is a freelance writer whose articles have appeared in various online publications including eHow, Suite101 and Examiner. She has a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia and began writing professionally in 2001.
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