Tarp repair?

[sasquatch]

Alright everyone

I've managed to get a tear in my old dd tarp, it's not the newer lightweight style but a fairly heavy material. I really like this tarp despite it's weight and small size. The tear was caused by a nail, it's about 3 inches down and 3 inches across in the shape of an L...

What would be the best way to repair this? Sew it first by hand and seal it or take the easy option and glue inner tube over the tear? I know it won't be pretty either way but buying a new one isn't an option and I've never had to do this before.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions. I've always been careful with my tarps but I had a bit of help from my 4 year old son when this happened! Oops

Cheers, Chad

 

[Ogri the trog]

A repair should be possible Chad,
if you can find some suitable material (I wouldn't personally go the way of gluing a rubber patch on) a round, square or triangular patch sewn around the tear so that it takes some of the stress of being tensioned. I'd sew the patch over the area, then sew the edges of the tear to the patch itself - then re-assess to see if it would look better with a patch on both sides. I also wouldn't bother sewing the tear closed, as it is likely to create a pucker in the material and lead to problems elsewhere.

ATB, HTH

Ogri the trog

PS, you have reminded me that I have a hole to repair in my parachute

 

[addo]

Patch and glue is one way.

Just as good is a peice of gaffer tape either side. Did this to mine 2 years ago as a temp repair, and it still works fine.

 

[Shewie]

Patch and glue is one way.

Just as good is a peice of gaffer tape either side. Did this to mine 2 years ago as a temp repair, and it still works fine.

I tried to do a temporary patch on an old Khyam tent using gaffer tape in France during the summer. I think because I'd treated it with Nikwax it wouldn't get a grip at all and would just slide off. First time I've ever seen gaffer tape not stick to something.

 

[sasquatch]

Thanks guys, I think I'll try the thousand mile-an-hour tape first, if no joy then I'll get busy as described by Ogri. The tear is at the edge of the tarp so I'm not going to get wet regardless, but don't like to leave it in it's current state. Cheers!

 

[sasquatch]

I tried to do a temporary patch on an old Khyam tent using gaffer tape in France during the summer. I think because I'd treated it with Nikwax it wouldn't get a grip at all and would just slide off. First time I've ever seen gaffer tape not stick to something.

My tarp is currently coated in sap so it should stick a treat Rich!

 

[gregorach]

I tried to do a temporary patch on an old Khyam tent using gaffer tape in France during the summer. I think because I'd treated it with Nikwax it wouldn't get a grip at all and would just slide off. First time I've ever seen gaffer tape not stick to something.

You never made the mistake of buying B&Q's own brand gaffer tape then... Damn stuff won't stick to anything except itself. It's less sticky than low-tack masking tape. (Well, it seems sticky enough at first, but it just peels off after a few minutes...)

Back to the question in hand, I always have a strip of self-adhesive tent repair fabric in my kit somewhere - handy stuff for all sorts of repairs.

 

[EarlyRiser]

I recommend Tear-Aid repair tape.

I put a hole in a tent while pitching in high winds in Durness (pole went through); very sticky stuff. I fixed it with Tear-Aid and then repitched immediately. The patch was still on when I sold it as I never bothered with a more permanent repair. You'll need Type 'A' for your tarp.

Type 'B' is for vinyl which I've used on inflatable boats.

IIRC they do a 20"x3" kit as well as one with smaller pieces.

Cheers

Tom

 

[m.durston]

i've got some stuff similar to what earlyriser is recommending called McNett Tenacious Tape.
i brought an aussie hootchie off ebay and on close inspection it had a small tear in the fabric.
i used this ultra sticky repair tape and it has worked perfectly. its so good i carry the roll in my bergen in case i rip anything that needs a waterproof repair.

 

[forestwalker]

I would go the same way as when attaching points in the middle of a tarp. In my case that would be to glue on a patch using something that will stay flexible, and then sew it down once the glue has dried (or you will mess your sewing machine up). Place one patch on either side for maximal paranoia, and then seal the seams like a glue sniffer in a factory warehouse (i.e. don't use less if you can use more).

 

[bushblade]

i've got some stuff similar to what earlyriser is recommending called McNett Tenacious Tape.
i brought an aussie hootchie off ebay and on close inspection it had a small tear in the fabric.
i used this ultra sticky repair tape and it has worked perfectly. its so good i carry the roll in my bergen in case i rip anything that needs a waterproof repair.

I second Tenacious tape, a piece either side will facilitate a permanent repair, that is barely noticeable as the tape is matt transparent, its really good stuff I too carry it in a small repair kit

 

[Phil562]

I second Tenacious tape, a piece either side will facilitate a permanent repair, that is barely noticeable as the tape is matt transparent, its really good stuff I too carry it in a small repair kit

Whole heartedly agree.............this is the kiddy........http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/McNETT-Tenaci...ts_WatersportsClothing_CA?hash=item3a539461d7

 

[EarlyRiser]

I used McNett on my Alpkit mat recently after the fire in my tent spat and peppered it with holes. Like the others say, it's good stuff, though I don't think it's as sticky as Tear-aid. I bought it though as it's about half the price.

Tom