TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sun Aug 24, 2008 3:34 pm

I just purchased an 86' Westy w/ automatic and full camper.

There is a small 1 inch tear in the upper right corner of the canvas. It is up near the fiberglass about a centimeter from the top and right in the corner also. What can be done about this tear so that it doesn't spread? Can it be repaired?

Thank you.

Sun Aug 24, 2008 4:40 pm

Most sporting goods stores have a camping section which sells patching kits for canvas tents. Buy this kit and get a buddy to help you (one person on the inside to pass the needle and thread to the outside and vise versa).

Sun Aug 24, 2008 7:07 pm

bucko wrote: Most sporting goods stores have a camping section which sells patching kits for canvas tents. Buy this kit and get a buddy to help you (one person on the inside to pass the needle and thread to the outside and vise versa).

Thanks for your reply, my biggest concern is that the tear is near the top of the canvas that it is very close to the fiberglass top.

Sun Aug 24, 2008 7:46 pm

My top was rotted out where the PO never bothered to tuck it in for a few years on both sides and the back. I did not want to repalce the canvas till I repained the van. could not find much for matching color in any patches (at least long enough), so I bought some canvas material that was close and used a heavy duty clear fabric glue. I figerd it would get me by for a campout or two. Its been like that for the last 3 years now, and I camp on average once a month :D I can't belive that its held up and not failed.

check it over to see how "dry" it is, if its tearing because its dryrotted (like you can poke yor finger through type rot) I'd shy away from stitching in that area.

Sun Aug 24, 2008 9:38 pm

I had some small tears in Winston's tent. I noticed that the local fabric & crafts store had those iron-on jeans patches in colors besides indigo blue, including a Khaki that was a surprisingly close match!

It was then just a matter of cutting the material to fit over the hole with some bonding room, having somone on the inside hold a small ironing board (a hardback book would probably have worked, we have an ironing board meant for sleeves) while I put the iron on an extension cord and followed the directions!

Pefect fit, no sewing, no muss, no fuss, and no problems two years later.

Best!

Mon Aug 25, 2008 4:20 am

I will give the iron on patches a shot.

Biggest concern is the small area above the tear because it is so close to the top of the fabric. I'm hoping there is enough room above the tear to bond the patch.

I will post updates. Hopefully with photos.