Newbie here - Coleman - Mesa vinyl window seam tears

[waterdoctor]

I'm new to this site.  But have a problem I'm hoping someone can help with.  I recently bought a used (2000) PU and have 2 of the vinyl windows tear along the seam where the zipper is stitched in.  Does anyone have any good ideas how to repair these without having to replace the whole panel (including the canvas)?  The canvas is in excellent condition.  We were trying to be really careful as not to damage these windows when closing up at night, but I guess we got a bit too enthusiastic when the zippers tended to jam.

Any ideas would be welcome.

[austinado16]

You might try just hand stitching the area using a stitch that goes from the plastic window, over the edge of the plastic diagonally, into the canvas, and then diagonally back through the plastic.

Or, if you own a really good sewing machine, take down the canvas and sew those areas up with a straight stitch like original.

Or......take the canvas down and take it to an automotive upholstery shop. They might even do it for free.....or a six-pack, etc.

[wavery]

I'm new to this site.  But have a problem I'm hoping someone can help with.  I recently bought a used (2000) PU and have 2 of the vinyl windows tear along the seam where the zipper is stitched in.  Does anyone have any good ideas how to repair these without having to replace the whole panel (including the canvas)?  The canvas is in excellent condition.  We were trying to be really careful as not to damage these windows when closing up at night, but I guess we got a bit too enthusiastic when the zippers tended to jam.

Any ideas would be welcome.

If you can take pictures, I may be able to help you. I had a canvas business for several years.

Worse case scenario, you unzip the panel from the bunk end canvas, slide it out of the roof channel and the box channel, take it to a canvas shop and have them sew it for you.

Just as a side note (and a little late one :p ), it's a good idea to spray silicone on your zippers about once a year or so. It will keep them working smoothly. If you use a small tube on your spray nozzle (sorta like WD40 has) it will keep the silicone off of the canvas.