Sticky msr hubba....anyone fixed theirs?

[uncleboob]

Morning all, been a little while since I last chatted on here but feel sure someone will have cime across the same msr issue as i'm having.

I have a orange fly msr hubba hubba which has gone sticky, the seam tape has disintegrated and looks generally unwell. Its a known issue on these flys, they don't age well however well you store them (wish i'd known beforehand). That said its an old tent now and i've had some good adventures in it. Due to its age msr no longer offer to replace the fly.

Aside from the ineffective waterproofing the tent is in good condition, i like the space, i like how it works in bad weather. I've tried to scout out a replacement fly but they never come up, presumably because they have the same issue! My question is, has anyone else had the same issue and resolved it successfully? Online there are conversations about scrubbing with bicarb and then resealing, has anyine tried this and had it work?

I'd like to be able to use the tent again and am happy to out some effort in but want to know that theres a chance of a good outcome...failing that has anyone come up with an alternative solution? I wondered about having a matching fly made?

Thanks all

J

 

[Pattree]

While not anything like an MSR, I have had problems with seam seal tape in an old much loved 16 year old tent and a 90pat army bivi sack.
All I’ve done is to rip off all the tape and, with a small paint brush, applied Fabsil to the seam. However, I do this every year without fail. Thus far, the tent has withstood many heavy downpours and the bivi was fine in a shower.

 

[uncleboob]

While not anything like an MSR, I have had problems with seam seal tape in an old much loved 16 year old tent and a 90pat army bivi sack.
All I’ve done is to rip off all the tape and, with a small paint brush, applied Fabsil to the seam. However, I do this every year without fail. Thus far, the tent has withstood many heavy downpours and the bivi was fine in a shower.

Thank you for responding! I need to reseal the whole outer if its going to be waterproof as the entire cover has gone sticky...its a known issue with these apparently...although i didn't know until it happened. I know previously people have used thinned down silicone as a diy solution...i imagine its pretty stinky though!

 

[Kadushu]

It's stinky when you apply it and needs airing outside but doesn't stay that way, so don't worry about being stuck with a stinky tent.

 

[Billy-o]

This is true

 

[uncleboob]

It's stinky when you apply it and needs airing outside but doesn't stay that way, so don't worry about being stuck with a stinky tent.

Have you had a go? What did you use?

Many thanks, j

 

[Billy-o]

50/50 mix of clear bathroom silicone sealer and white spirit

 

[uncleboob]

50/50 mix of clear bathroom silicone sealer and white spirit

Many thanks, i'll give it a go...might take pics to share the trauma!

Cheers j

 

[Billy-o]

Do some tests. Paper will do. I have used more like a 40% sealant : 60% solvent ratio in the past to get a lighter layer. You can possibly go further with that, so long as it is well mixed

 

[uncleboob]

Do some tests. Paper will do. I have used more like a 40% sealant : 60% solvent ratio in the past to get a lighter layer. You can possibly go further with that, so long as it is well mixed

Thats a good idea actually. I have some ripstop scraps somewhere that i could test it on. Last thing i want is something that stick to itself so i guess getting the mix right is key. Cheers j

 

[Stew]

Thats a good idea actually. I have some ripstop scraps somewhere that i could test it on. Last thing i want is something that stick to itself so i guess getting the mix right is key. Cheers j

Hav eyou tried it yet?

I've got a rucksack that might need the treatment....

 

[Billy-o]

I had a bag that the existing waterproofing was peeling off. I was going to use bathroom sealant to replace it but couldn't get all the old waterproofing off; so, I bailed on the project. Should have done it. It's not as if the procedure doesn't work - it's just a question of how thick layer you want to deposit.

 

[plastic-ninja]

You could try LSR Lancashire Sports Repairs for the seam sealing & maybe reproofing.
Not sure about tents, but they did a perfect job on my 20 yr old Arcteryx Alpha. Seams taped & all reproofed now good as new.