Quote: Originally posted by mcguire6078 on 01/9/2012Arsenaldes must say that Gorilla tape looks good. I may purchase a roll for the spares bag.
Mucker1884 if you use it can you post an update on your thoughts and how you find it.
Sorry mate, only just got around to taking tent down!!
Right, recap..... tear in main tent groundsheet, (SIG)(actualy, a fairly neat, sharp cut. Approx 3" (75mm) long. I put one piece of Tenacious tape on top, i.e inside the tent. It stuck great (I rounded off the ends, following a tip somewhere on here). It stuck really well. Obviously this seems fairly thin, but will be covered by a carpet.
Now, I've just struck the tent, and the final roll exposed the cut from underneath. I've stuck one piece of Gorilla tape over it. Now this time, although I tried, I ended up not rounding off the edges, as it is too heavy duty and sticky, so I scrapped that one, and simply cut off another piece, and stuck it directly to the underside of the sig. The fact that I struggled to round off the tape, as it kept sticking to the scissors, I took as a good thing!! :-)
It seems to have stuck like, erm, well, like Arsenaldes said it would!!
Basically, first impressions, for both tenacious tape and Gorilla tape are very good. Obviously, the proof will be when the tent is next used in lousy weather, which may be a while, as we are away in just over a week, for a fortnight...... but in the other tent!
I may have to hang fire on a final analysis until next season, but personally, I fully expect a successful and satisfying outcome...... touch wood!
Thanks for the responses. The problem area is too large to solve with tape. Following suggestions about a footprint I took a closer look at the damage, as we were using a footprint.
The footprint is pretty much fine, which surprised me. I took a closer look at the underside of the tent groundsheet, and it isn’t nearly as scuffed as the top side. That suggests that the problem was inside the tent, which I can’t quite figure as we take our shoes off, sweep out the inside of the tent regularly etc etc.
To stop it worsening I’ll get the affected area patched. At the suggestion of one poster I called Scottish Mountain Gear, who were very helpful. Given the size of the tent sending it up there for a smallish repair would prove expensive, so they suggested asking my local camping shop if there’s anyone who does repairs locally. They’ve recommended someone about 10 miles away, so I’ll take it to them.
The company is CIT Camping in Walton on Thames, who were recommended by another local camping shop as well. I’ve decided to go for a large patch, so that I only have to get it done once. They’ve quoted £60 for a 7’ x 5' patch, stitched & sealed.
There’s a 6 week waiting list, so it’ll probably be late Oct by the time I get it back.
Mcguire its worth having a roll of Gorilla tape as you have to use it to know how sticky it really is. The repair I made was a complete split SIG seam 4.5m long tenacious tape was too stretchy when pulling SIG into shape but Gorilla tape did the job
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Topic: Repairs to Damaged Groundsheet
