Photo Bag Reviews

How do you repair a small rip in your gadget bag? I’ve found a new way that’s so cool I can hardly wait for the next fissure.

Occasionally I find a torn seam or a small hole in a gadget bag or photo backpack. These are usually the result of normal wear. But sometimes when I’m reviewing a bag I stealthfully make a tiny incision in an inconspicuous place to conduct a destructive inspection of the padding or liner. Until now, duct tape has been my repair tool of choice. That’s all changed now that I’ve discovered Bondic.

Bondic is not a glue. It’s a clear liquid plastic that hardens after being exposed to intense UV light for about four seconds. It’s like Crazy Glue with manners. It’s ideal for patching tiny holes, zipper seams or frayed fabric.

Because it’s not a glue, I wouldn’t use it to reconnect torn shoulder straps or anything that requires stitching. Because it’s nonconductive plastic, it’s also ideal for repairing low voltage wires like headphone cords or USB cables.

It’s easy to use. Rough up the surfaces that need repair, apply a thin layer of Bondic, expose to the included blue LED for a four-count and then you’re done. Well, almost. Depending on the nature of the repair you may need to apply a build-up of layers. This video shows you how, step by step.

I broke an expensive pair of titanium eyeglasses—snapped that little bridge-like part that connects the lenses in the middle. I repaired them with Bondic. They look goofy, and I won’t wear them outside my house, but the bond is quite strong. Because Bondic doesn’t harden until exposed to UV light, it was easy to control the position of the glasses during the curing process.

I also used Bondic to tack the corners of a small light tent together. If you read my story about building a $10 photo studio for product photography you might recognize this setup. Bondic worked great because I was able to get the angle just right, I didn’t have to wait for conventional glue to dry, and it didn’t shift around like gaffer’s tape often does.

According to the manufacturer, Bondic is also useful for repairing small leaks and other household chores I haven’t attempted. But I’m satisfied with what I seen, and I’m beginning to believe that this stuff is pretty magical.

The Bondic package lists a number of safety reminders and warnings. Contact with the skin, eyes, inhalation, etc., can be harmful. Check their website for full disclosure and use reasonable care. I’ve had much worse luck using cyanoacrylate adhesives (superglue) which always seem so difficult to control—not to mention that those little tubes invariably dry out before they’re used up.

Bondic is sold in several different package configurations. You can buy the basic kit for less than $20 on Amazon or pickup refills and larger sizes directly from the manufacturer’s website.

—Jon Sienkiewicz