SunshineSnuz

Does anyone out there have any experience in patching a tent's mesh windows? Somewhere along the way we seem to have developed a little hole in one of ours and I would really like to get it fixed before it gets any worse. Heck, we're headed out this weekend and I'd like to get it fixed in case the 30% chance of rain decides to become 100%.

The hole is just about the size of a finger tip (actually looks like a it was burned by a flying ember or cigarette ash. Grrrr. :mad: ).

Any suggestions are welcomed!!!

Shannon

Hmmm... I don't have any experience in the repair, but I do know you can buy window mesh of various types at your local home improvement store (Lowes, Home Depot, etc.) We have some spare mesh due to jury-rigging a window screen at home. We used tape since our installation was temporary -- we were test fitting an window-mounted fan for ventilation.

Whatever you use to affix to the mesh, you'll want it to be able to withstand Texas heat. I learned the hard way (on a different project) that some tapes don't deal with our heat well and turn into a gooey mess.

I'm sure others here can provide more useful info, but I do know the mesh should be reasonably easy to obtain although all you need is a very tiny piece. In fact, you might be able to obtain a more reasonable amount of the mesh for your needs by checking REI.com or your tent manufacturer to see if they offer any tent repair kits... many include a couple small pieces of tent material and mesh for small tear repairs such as yours.

Hope this helps!

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rockhill

Buy some window screen material at the local hardware store. Cut out a small piece slightly larger than the hole you are patching. Then apply something like super glue which will dry clear. It will make a secure patch and if you take care on the edge of the patch, nearly invisible from a distance. Window screen material comes in different shades and web size so get as close to the original as possible. While you will have to buy more material than you need, it is fairly inexpensive.

Others may have even better solutions.

Good luck

WestTexas

Walmart, Academy, and other places usually carry Coghlan's products, one of which is Screen Patch and the other is a complete Nylon Tent Repair Kit. I've seen the products hanging in the camping accessories section.
http://www.coghlans.com/catalogue/pr...t.php?catID=15

The screen patch portion in each is a mylar, self-adhesive type screen patch.

rgds,
WT

Turn Key

"WestTexas" beat me to it. Here's another source for the same thing.

http://www.popuptimes.com/miva/merch...tegory_Code=RV

Happy Camping!

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SunshineSnuz

Thanks y'all! I actually found some at Academy bought it then never got around to patching the darn thing. I actually looked for the hole when I was putting the tent up but couldn't find it on first inspection and forget to look for it again later. :rolleyes:
We did get some stormy weather for about an hour or two but the windows definitely did better than our floor so I guess I should've been more worried about that instead. LOL.

Thanks again!!

WestTexas

I hate a leaky tent. I've pretty much upgraded my various tents to later models that have the "bathtub" style bottoms (ie..where the heavy bottom comes up a half foot or so on the sides).

But the first thing I do when I get a new tent is buy a couple of spray cans of Camp Dry at Academy and then set up the tent in the driveway.

First without the rainfly. Then shoot it good with the Camp Dry, light coat or two on the flat surfaces, heavier on the seams. Then, when the spray is mostly dry (and it does dry pretty fast), I put the rainfly on and give it a couple of good coats of Camp Dry. Then, weather permitting, I let it set up the better part of a day to air out and dry really good.

I've never, I repeat, NEVER, had a leaky tent.

WT

SunshineSnuz

Do you do the floors too? We don't seem to be having much problem with the walls (altho, we will be getting ready to waterproof the whole tent soon) but the floor seems to always have a spot that 'puddles'. And that's even with a ground cover.
SIgh.