7
Storing your Tent
Dry the tent and poles completely before storage to avoid mildew or
hidden pole corrosion. Store in a cool, dry place out of direct light.
Mildewed tents can be cleaned as described above, but there is no way to
remove the dark stains without damaging the fabric. Mildew will probably
take some time to affect the waterproof coatings, so the tent should still
be usable.
REPAIRING YOUR TENT
Fabric Tears
Watertight repairs to rips can be made with seam sealant such as McNett
Freesole
TM
, Aquaseal
TM
, or Seam Grip®. For tears shorter than 1.5cm
(1/2in.), apply duct tape to one side and sealant to the other. On longer
tears, apply duct tape to one side and a patch of no-see-um netting to the
other. Ensure the netting extends 6-12mm (1/4-1/2in.) beyond the edges
of the tear. Use oval or circular patches (rounded edges are less likely to
peel away than sharp corners). Cover the patch thoroughly in sealant.
When the sealant is completely dry, remove the duct tape.
For longer trips, we recommend taking an expedition sewing kit and extra
nylon, webbing, a spare pole section, and narrow-diameter (2.5mm) tent
pole shockcord. Coghlan’s Seam Saturant or the like will prevent wicking
through a tent fl y via seams or webbing.
Fixing a Pole in the Field
Slip the pole repair sleeve over one pole end. Slide the sleeve along
until it is centred over the break in the pole, then wrap it into place with
duct tape. Be careful not to damage the tent fabrics when removing the
damaged pole.
Zippers
A worn slider is the cause of most zipper problems. An occasional
application of 303
TM
Protectant or a silicone-based lubricant will help
reduce wear. Grit accelerates slider wear. Keep zippers clean by rinsing
them under water after use in windy/sandy environments. Sometimes,
carefully squeezing the top ends of the slider with a pair of pliers will
restore some life. If an inner door slider fails, run it as far as possible toward
one end of the zipper, and use only the other slider for the duration of the
trip. A sewing repair shop can replace inoperable sliders.
Funhouse 6 eng.indd 7
Funhouse 6 eng.indd 7
3/1/05 2:36:24 PM
3/1/05 2:36:24 PM
