Small Tear in Camper Trailer Roof

Hi John

we have used "seam sealer", from BCF etc. It comes in a small tube. Its mainly used to waterproof the stitching. Because its sets soft (like silicon) it can move and stretch with the canvas as it moves etc. We have used it on a few tears (including some hail tears) and it holds up well. We are living in our camper at the moment as we travel and we started using seam sealer over 12months ago and the patches are still as strong as ever.
as far as red dust???? i think you may be stuck with it- but hey every tear, stain, dust patch tells a story of your adventures. lol

cheers

Did one on mine a few years back - turned out well - used Norton contact cement (liquid version as I recall) - a very thin layer on both the patch and the tent initially soaks in to the fabric - follow up a bit later with a very thin second coat - with the patch inside, I clamped the repair for a few days between 2 flat surfaces (plastic of some sort).
Once the red dust has been damp to any degree, it is there to stay - trying to scrub it out only damages the canvas.

Go and see the guys at Halls Canvas down south and get advise off them.

hi john h(sa)
bear glue or nortons will adhere a patch to canvas as mentioned

in regards to the red dust i have cleaned heavy red dust stain from canvas many times and despite what others are telling you on here it doesnt damage the canvas
(the only negative is you will have to reseal the canvas which is no big deal )

but replenishes it back to looking like new
to use truck wash
mix a strong batch 15 mls per ltr of water and then rub the truckwash in with a house broom leave it for 20-25 minutes then rub over with the broom a second time
then rinse off thoroughly with plenty of scheme pressure water or gentle pressure from a pressure cleaner and the broom action this is the important part of the job then make sure it is dryed thoroughly

apply the truck wash in the shade to give it a good chance of working rather than in the sun or it will dry off to quickly and wont do a proper job


to weather proof
i use a liguidsealer called shalex's sealit canvas-cote made in qld by shalex industries pty ltd in Yandina that i spay on with a spraygun or it can be applyed with a brush/roller none of my canvas has deteriated through using truckwash on it

i have been using it for over 22 years i still have a canvas 4man tent that the kids and i went up north with when they were going to primary school and they are 27 and 29yrs now and the tent is still like new \

putting tents away wet or damp is what destroys canvas

also when i bought my current camper trailer from sa 6.5 yrs ago it was covered in red dirt but its like new thanks to truckwash

a good doush of truckwash applyed in the shade will get any red dirt off vehicle chassis /4wds/caravans /annexes canvas and poly /campers /cars
also use it to wash my house windows/flyscreens etc
i have used many different brands over the years and have always been happy with the results
cheers hope this is of help to you or others
barry

Hi John,

I have a product called Stormsure.

I purchased it some time ago from Discount Camping at Pooraka, to repair a hole I had in a previous tent. The hole was caused by an ember from a camp fire which somehow got blown onto the tent.
This stuff will completely fill the hole (or tear) and bond with the canvas.
The result (for a hole) is a transparent but completely waterproof and sound method of repairing canvas, without the need for a patch, unless the damage is large.

I carry the tube in the camping kit, "just in case".

There is a heap of canvas info in archived thread that might be useful.

Cheers,

Val