Repair kits for stretch tents
An unexpected tear or bit of damage to your stretch tent is a nuisance, but rarely a reason to write off the canvas. With a repair kit you fix holes, tears and loose seams yourself. Every kit holds the same two things: repair patches of stretch tent canvas in chino beige, and flexible glue that keeps moving with the canvas once it has cured. The difference is in the quantity and the sizes.
Repair kit Small
- 2 round patches of Ø 20 cm
- 2 tubes of flexible glue, 15 grams
For holes and light damage. This is the kit you keep in the trailer, so you are never caught out on site.
Repair kit Medium
- 2 round patches of Ø 50 cm
- 2 round patches of Ø 20 cm
- 2 tubes of flexible glue, 90 grams
For small to medium tears and damage around fixing points. The sensible choice if you own one or two tents.
Repair kit Large
- 4 round patches of Ø 50 cm
- 4 round patches of Ø 20 cm
- 5 tubes of flexible glue, 90 grams
For several repairs in a row, such as the end-of-season check on your canvases after the rental season.
Repair kit XL
- 1 rectangular patch of 120 x 75 cm
- 4 round patches of Ø 50 cm
- 4 round patches of Ø 20 cm
- 1 tub of flexible glue, 1 litre
The only kit with a large rectangular patch. It covers storm damage or a long tear in the middle of the canvas, where a round 50 cm patch no longer reaches.
For a full comparison and which size is meant for what, see stretch tent repair.
When do you need a repair kit?
During an event. The tent is up and something goes wrong: wind, a branch, an accident. With the kit you fix it without taking the tent down. If it has to be sealed right now, use transparent repair tape first and make the repair permanent later. Glue needs time.
Before and after use. Check the canvas before you put it up and after you take it down. A hole you spot now costs you one patch. The same hole after a season under tension costs you a panel of canvas.
In transport and storage. Most damage happens when the tent is not in use: dragged across paving, sand caught in the folds, packed away damp. Check the canvas before it goes into the bag.
What damage does it fix?
- Tears in the canvas, from a sharp object, strong wind or wear. Glue the tear and set a patch over it so the tension is spread.
- Holes in the canvas. A patch closes the hole and keeps the spot waterproof.
- Loose seams. The flexible glue bonds the seam again and stays flexible afterwards.
- Wear around fixing points. That is where the tension is highest, so that is usually where damage starts.
What it will not do: save a canvas damaged over large areas, or one whose coating is peeling. If you are not sure a repair is still worth it, send us a photo.
What is in a repair kit?
Two things, no more:
- Repair patches of stretch tent canvas in chino beige, round in Ø 20 and Ø 50 cm and rectangular in 120 x 75 cm. The same material as the canvas itself, so it moves with it.
- Flexible repair glue in tubes of 15 and 90 grams and in a 1 litre tub.
No adhesive stickers, no needle and thread. A stretch tent has no zips and no frame, so you will not find tools for those in the kit either. Every part can be ordered separately: repair patches and repair glue.
Instructions
- Clean the area you are going to glue and let it dry completely. Glue does not bond to dirt or moisture.
- Using the 1 litre tub? Stand it in hot water for 60 minutes before use.
- Cut the repair canvas so that you have 10 cm of overlap all round the hole.
- Spread the glue with a sponge or brush. Wear gloves.
- Press the patch down and weight it, so it bonds across the whole surface. Keep the weight on for at least 16 hours, longer is better.
- Let the glue dry for 24 hours before you tension the tent again.
Do not work in full sun or in freezing conditions.
