In the past this tent has stood up to torrential thunderstorms in the rockies and on the plains. Allow a few minutes for seams to dry, then pitch the tent in a wellventilated location and attach the rainfly with the surface to be coated facing out. Now, on the inside of the tarp, i see the two long black seams that run away from the trekking pole patch. Cinching the fly tight will stretch the seams and allow for better sealant penetration and for faster drying time. People always seam seal the stitching on the seams, but, to make sure its really water proof you need a bead of sealant along or better yet under the flap of the seam. Some other options are to patch your nylon tent the same way you would waterproof the seams using sealing tape and seal seam adhesive. Prep the seams by gently cleaning them with a rag and rubbing alcohol.
Gear aid seam grip repair adhesive and sealant for sale. The ticket is seam grip, the same adhesive you would use to seal the seams in a tent. Seam grip field repair kit when you re out in the field, your gear is subjected to rough. Another option apart from gluing is sewing a patch overlap that damaged area by hand. Use a small brush, to make sure the sealer penetrates the small thread holes. Seam sealing blocks water from entering the seam holes created when the tent is sewn. If you clean it thoroughly and patch any damage you could still waterproof it fairly well. Seam grip by gear aid is a gear repair kit in a tube. This is arguably a much simpler method of patching holes in your tent, as you can just apply the tape or seam seal directly to the whole without needing a patch. You can cover the seam with a seam seal tape, as found inside the seams of goretex and punylon jackets, or you can paint on a sealant. Add years to the life of your tent and camp happy with a dry tent. This is a two person backpacking tent that isnt that large. We paint silicone on the fly seams and add nonskid silicone stripes to interior floors. Macpac seam sealing of tents forums new zealand tramper.
How to seam seal a tent seam sealing a tent duration. Nov 05, 2014 sealing the seams is going to be the hardest part of this process. These materials cannot be machine taped but must be seam sealed manually. Set your tent up in a dry, sunny spot or brightly lit room so you can easily examine all. Mcnett gear aid mcnett repair tape goretex seam tape. Ive got a kelty typhoon 2 tent, from the mid1990s but still in good shape.
Once you ve patched the fly, you can renew the materials waterproofing. Seal the inner, coated shiny side of the fabric only. If a small section of seam tape on gear has peeled, use seam grip wp to reattach it. To waterproof my backpacking tents, i always seam seal then use sprayon waterproofing on the fabric. However, im a little lost in what else to seam seal and how. Even tents with taped floor and fly seams usually need some seam sealing, particularly. At the end of the day, if youre really stuck then duct tape may do the trick. I used tent and gear solarproof or something like that. If you select the nonseam sealed option, you will be refunded the difference between the original price of the seam sealing and the shipment of the new tent. A durable water repellent dwr coating helps your rainfly shed water. Sealing the seams is going to be the hardest part of this process. Tyvek tent footprint w 4 ul grommet tabs for big agnes fly creek hv ul 1p tent. To do this you are going to to need to use a sealant on the inside of all the seams and then let dry.
This minimizes the possibility of seam grip seeping out from under patch. Then you simply paint on the seam sealant and let it dry to restore your tents waterproofing. Wet gear can dampen the spirits of even the most adventurous outdoor enthusiast. There are two main ways of sealing the stitching in a tent. Under normal conditions, a tent needs a treatment every three to four years. If your seams came taped from the factory, this might be tricky to do as any residual tape can disrupt the application. After you do the inside of the fly flip it over on the tent and do the same thing to the outside seams. While many manufacturers offer this as an addon service, but you can also do it yourself. Seam sealing a tent or tarp earlylite for beginners, tents, hammocks, and tarps seam sealing is the process of treating the stitch holes and seams in gear made from waterproof fabric to prevent them from leaking when it rains or snows to achieve maximum waterproofness. I sealed all non factory taped seams on my trango 2 when i bought it years ago with mcnett seam grip i also sealed all the points where guy out loops were sewn to the fly the main seams were all taped and they have never leaked i sealed the floor seam where it joined the sides from the inside and all points where the stake out loops were sewn on.
Jan 21, 2016 the easiest way to seal the rain fly is just as mcnett states by placing the fly over the tent inside out which makes applying the sealant easier and gives it space to air out and dry. One bottle does a 2person tent fly if you ration it out carefully. Seam sealing will create a waterproof barrier and extend the longevity of your tent. Thats where the rain will fall and you need to seal the stitching there to repeal water ingress.
Alternatively, a jacket can be constructed using the process of heat sealing which may or may not involve stitching fabric together, but always involves the fabrics being welded together or onto another material such as plastic with heat. Seam sealing siliconesilnylon tarps and shelters terrifies many people. It can be used to create a window patch on large holes. Important exceptions are tents, tarptents and tarps made with ultralight fabrics such as silnylon and cuben. Seam sealing silnylon tarps and tents gear aid blog.
Just finished seam sealing my back up tent, i loan it out to folks hiking with me. I recommend seam sealing then rewaterproofing the tent. Ive noticed that the tape covering the fly seams is coming off. If you find seam tape that is coming loose on the underside of the fly. Even tents with taped floor and fly seams usually need some seam sealing, particularly along zippers and around corners. In these limited styles, we actually provide the seam sealer with the tent. You might not have to do it but id say youd be kicking yourself if you were out there in a downpour and it was dripping all through your tent. If you round the corners of the tape, the patch will last longer. Once you have the pants altered, youll want to paint along the seams using the applicator brush included. I am looking at my one year old lightheart solo, and contemplating resealing it, but the seams look and feel ok. Seam sealing guide any tent or tarp luxe hiking gear. We love to find out how your seam sealing experience. Then clean the seams with isopropyl alcohol and reseal with seam.
Afterward for added protection you can seal both sides of the rain fly here. Seam tape on tent fly the great outdoors stack exchange. To stop a leak in the rain fly or upper surface of your tent, apply. Gear aid nee mcnett seam grip is a urethane adhesive often used for seam sealing nylon or polyester tent flys. Seam grip wp is typically applied to the underside of tent rain flies or the inside of tents. It can also be used for patching inflatable sleeping pads, repairing shoes, glueing various parts together, and a number of other uses. Now one thing a lot of people forget to do is the flap on the seam.
Let the patch cure for a day before packing the tent away. Set in a new grommet with a grommet setter and seal its edges with seam sealer. Easy to use all you need is the tape and an iron color grey size 0. Wp waterproof tent sealant and adhesive gear aid seam grip 1 oz.
Some people use a brush, but that can spread far and wide. A very simple method of sealing the seams on a tent is to erect it so the fabric is under slight tension and paint the seams with some sort of sealer. To stop a leak in the rain fly or upper surface of your tent, apply seam sealer when the fabric has dried out. Tent fabrics that are coated with silicone elastomer. How to seam seal a tent or tarp section hikers backpacking blog. Please note that seamsealing is weatherdependent and ordering this service may add to the wait time. You should thoroughly inspect all seams to insure that they have been correctly sewn. Prepare your tent for seam sealing by setting up the tent and cleaning it.
In this case, you should not use pu sealants or those that are meant to use for seam sealing, they are not sufficient for the job. If you need to renew the water resistant coating on a fly or tent fly, try one of the nikwax products that is intended for this. If the tear is in a hightension area, like near a pole, its a good idea to patch the inside of the tent as well. Similarly, canvas tents will need taffeta repair tape and seam sealer for. Pitch the tent in a wellventilated area preferably outside, and in the shade. Most tent sealing products need 24 hours to dry completely, so make sure you have a designated space free from debris where the tent can be spread out for a day to dry.
Sealing each seam with a good tent seam sealer will help even if the stitching has become a little looser with age. Never seam seal in cold, damp, or humid environments. For an added level of protection you may want to apply seam sealant to the other side. As i mentioned i have engaged in this practice for decades with no adverse consequences. Most tents are sold with seams already sealed, usually via seam tape. If you just did a french seam, two fabric edges sewn together, and sewed binding strips over the seam allowances as seen on many cheaper tents, you would probably have a seam tht is less pretty, but also less likely to leak after sealing than with a faux felled seam with its line of open stitch holes along each seam. Weave the thread along the edges of the hold it firmly in place.
A light misty all night long rain hit us at 2,000 feet on the oregon coast range and the fly started leaking at the repair point the water from the fly came into the bathtub floor at the seam where the tag is sewn in. Check out our web site for more information concerning everything seen on our channel including revi. Seam sealing a tent or tarp section hikers backpacking blog. Learn how to do some simple tent repairs, such as fixing a pole and patching. If you use this tent without sealing the seams they will become wicks that allow water to seep into the tent.
However, when it comes to actually putting your tent up, you notice its damaged. On older tents, you will need to seal and waterproof every seam. If the tape appears to be failing everywhere, remove and discard it. I believe both henry shires and six moon designs provide optional manual seam sealing for an additional charge.
Lay the tent fabric on a solid surface and remove the backing on the tape patch. If its an old tent then it probably doesnt have sealed seams. They include a brush, a glove, and some premixed silicone solution. Depending on the construction of the pants, and how the alteration is performed, you may be able to turn them inside out and paint the inner surface. Seam sealing a tent or tarp when you buy a tent or tarp made with silnylon, its best to seal the seams using gear aid silnet silicone seam sealer in order to make them waterproof in the rain. For a more in depth cleaning method, follow the steps in how to clean a stinky tent. How to repair flaking polyurethane tent flies and floors. Once all tidy, tautly pitch the tent in a wellventilated area and grab some personal protective equipment. The only longterm way to fix them is to replace the ferrule, cracked pole segment, or the.
Fix a rip by using a clear tenacious tape patch by gear aid. May 18, 2018 seam sealing a tent is a must if you want to make certain that your camping trip is dry and cozy. Nov 18, 2016 you have the option of a full refund or new non seam sealed shelter. In the past this tent has stood up to torrential thunderstorms in. You can repair small tears and rewaterproof it at home for cheap. You have the option of a full refund or new nonseam sealed shelter.
To get at hardtoreach places on your tent floor, turn it inside out if necessary. Seal the edges of the stitchedin patch with seam sealer on the outside surface of the tent. Use it as a tent seam sealer, sleeping pad fixer or equipment rebuilder. Generally you want to apply sealant to the outer tent rain fly where it has been sewn. Tent repair, maintenance, and cleaning guide section hikers.
How to mend a rip in a tents fabric or seam youtube. Fully waterproof, seam grip wp is an adhesive and sealant for tents and tarps that effectively shelters you from the rain. I havent noticed any leaking from the fly, but im thinking it might be time to reseal the seams on the fly before i take it out in a vancouver island winter storm where theres sure to be lots of rain. Apply it to both the inside and the outside of the tent before covering with seam sealer. If you happen to have spare patches of tent fabric, then you can use. Seams close to the floor area will need a coat of sealant applied which is likely to be a corner area between the floor and walls. Glue, goo, tapes and you outdoor gear repair the fixed line. Dont forget to regularly inspect the stitching to increase the life of your tent and return to this article if you have a question. Bring a tube of seam grip wp with you on your next camping trip to get the job done right and stop leaks. If you select the non seam sealed option, you will be refunded the difference between the original price of the seam sealing and the shipment of the new tent. Affix the patch, then place a flatbottomed pot of boiling water on top. I also question the effectiveness of sealing a double walled tents seams, since a nylon tent wall itself has no other water repelling capabilities.
These seams can be sealed using a special waterproof seam sealing tape referred to as tape sealing. When you buy a tent or tarp made with silnylon, its best to seal the seams using gear aid silnet silicone seam sealer in order to make them waterproof in the rain. Now you are ready to apply seam sealer to your tent seams. Seamsealing blocks water from entering the seam holes created when the tent is sewn. Learning how to seam seal a tent will pay off for you in the long run, and you will be grateful that you did a quality job when it starts pouring rain. If necessary, let your tent dry, then repeat the seam sealing process on any. The good news is that the silicone is very long lasting, so your tent will only need to be sealed once. Best way to patch a rainfly supertopo rock climbing. Imo seam sealing a tent which has a fly is like wearing two condoms. Get a patch of round shape and strong thread of color that matches the screen.
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