Question on repairing tenting

[robpoe]

My PUP has a few holes evenly spaced on the tenting material.  The previous owners left the lights on and plugged power in before they raised it.  The light melted the fixture, then put a few holes in the canvas.

it's had duct tape (top and bottom) over the holes, and it's held up very well in a few storms, but I'd like to fix it more permanently.

The tent material is some kind of plastic / cloth stuff.  It's a 94 Jayco.  What's the best thing to repair it with, besides duct tape?

Thanks!

[Tim5055]

My PUP has a few holes evenly spaced on the tenting material.  The previous owners left the lights on and plugged power in before they raised it.  The light melted the fixture, then put a few holes in the canvas.

it's had duct tape (top and bottom) over the holes, and it's held up very well in a few storms, but I'd like to fix it more permanently.

The tent material is some kind of plastic / cloth stuff.  It's a 94 Jayco.  What's the best thing to repair it with, besides duct tape?

Thanks!

How big are the holes?

[flyfisherman]

Something like this ... maybe?



http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?categoryId=7157&storeId=226&catalogId=40000000226

[wavery]

My PUP has a few holes evenly spaced on the tenting material.  The previous owners left the lights on and plugged power in before they raised it.  The light melted the fixture, then put a few holes in the canvas.

it's had duct tape (top and bottom) over the holes, and it's held up very well in a few storms, but I'd like to fix it more permanently.

The tent material is some kind of plastic / cloth stuff.  It's a 94 Jayco.  What's the best thing to repair it with, besides duct tape?

Thanks!

The best thing to do is get a matching fabric, remove the offending panel (easy to do) and sew a patch over it.
This is a good source for finding materials:
http://www.sailrite.com/

Most home sewing machines will handle this job.

As you have seen, the fabric melts (as apposed to burns) and you can cut/melt a nice straight edge with a hot knife and that will eliminate any fraying or unraveling on the edges. That also eliminates the need for a double hem that may be hard to sew though. Just use a straight stitch.

The 2nd best thing to do is to get an iron on patch. If you do that, be sure not to cut any square corners on your patch. Round corners will stay much better. Square corners have a tendency to start lifting off on the corners.

Be very careful with the iron. At some point, the fabric may melt on you.

[robpoe]

How big are the holes?

About the size of a 12v camper light bulb..