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Old 03-11-09, 11:23
Dougie_the_Mate Dougie_the_Mate is offline
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Default Waterproof Tape

We have a cockpit tent which is rarely used. At the start of the season I had attached the framework without thinking too carefully about it, until one wet stay in Rothesay Mrs Dougie thought we should put the tent up.

I had some difficulty in getting it fitted and eventually it occurred to me that the framework was on the wrong way round. After changing it the tent went up tickety boo, but as the rain intensified there was a drip along the seam, caused I think by my overstretching it during the first attempt.

Wrapping a towel round the frame solved the problem as it was a small leak, but I want to fix it before the new season.

I see from a Google search that there are a variety of adhesive waterproof tapes which can be applied along the seam to rectify the problem. Does anyone have experience of such an issue and can recommend a product or supplier that will do the job effectively.

Thanks for any advice offered

Dougie.
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Old 03-11-09, 11:28
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sarabande sarabande is offline
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adding a tape seam to the underside is not likely to prevent rain getting through the outer side of the seam, and won't look very good on the outside, so I'd be tempted to try first of all a standard material waterproof-er such as Nikwax

http://www.nikwax.com/en-gb/products...-1&fabricid=-1

Lots of others around.
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Old 03-11-09, 11:46
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A seam sealer from a camping suppliers may be the answer.

It's not an uncommon problem with tents and we had (still have) Granger's Seam Seal. A waxy semi-solid that's applied like a lipstick along the seam although the current product looks different to that which we bought 35+ years ago.

http://www.campervanaccessories.co.u...0ml-p-688.html

As for tape, spinnaker repair tape perhaps.
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Last edited by VicS; 03-11-09 at 11:52.
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Old 03-11-09, 11:59
Dougie_the_Mate Dougie_the_Mate is offline
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VicS

Perhaps I should have mentioned that the tent is canvas to match the Bimini. From my reading of the Grangers Seam Sealant it is apparently designed for sythetic materials - or am I wrong?
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Old 03-11-09, 12:22
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Quote:
apparently designed for sythetic materials
Yes that one is although the stuff I have is for cotton canvas. Is your tent cotton canvas or acrylic canvas?

do a Google search for Tent + " seam sealer". Theres one by Gelert that's suitable for cotton and synthetics. Tapes too. Not investigated in depth... thats for you to do ... but I am sure you'll find something on the camping market
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Old 03-11-09, 12:28
Dougie_the_Mate Dougie_the_Mate is offline
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I contacted the manufacturers 'Comfort Afloat' and they suggested Grangers, but advised me to try the local Camping shop or Chandler to save postage!!!

Told me to get back to them if I was stuck. Very helpful lady named Lynn - almost as helpful as you guys.

Dougie
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Old 03-11-09, 12:29
Tranona Tranona is offline
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The "canvas" will almost certainly be acrylic, which is synthetic
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Old 03-11-09, 13:36
oldsaltoz oldsaltoz is offline
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Have you considered sewing another wider strip over leak. wouls also reinforce the area at point of contact.
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Old 03-11-09, 14:47
JohnTH JohnTH is offline
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Go and see Sally at Jess Sail in Ardrossan . I am sure that she can sew a reinforcing strip in the correct place that will stop the drip.

73s de
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Old 03-11-09, 15:50
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Quote:
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Go and see Sally at Jess Sail in Ardrossan . I am sure that she can sew a reinforcing strip in the correct place that will stop the drip.

73s de
Johnth
Would you believe it. We are in Almerimar now Spain. Sally at Jessail in Ardrossan fixed us up and she does not charge a lot for all the work she does. Excellent and will collect/deliver.

Peter
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Old 04-11-09, 00:23
JohnTH JohnTH is offline
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That was a quick trip to Spain Peter, it was only a few posts ago you were in Scotland under a drip in your tent !!

Agree with you about Sally, good work, easy to pay and reliable too. No, she is not paying me to say this.

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