How can I repair the edging on the canvas?

[TNTtravelers]

We've had some leaking on the bunk ends and used some seam sealer for the areas that are flat that have threads. Our camper has some of the material on the edges (that fold over two seams coming together from the bunk end bottom to the roof) that is deteriorating so water is getting in and running down and soaking the bunk end corners. I "could" get a piece of something and wrap it over it and try to glue it(can't sew it because it would be too thick and make too big of holes with the current stuff on there). It's like a canvas feel material and the outside of our popup actually feels like vinyl. I always get confused...is it canvas or is it vinyl. Anyway..has anyone else had this issue and what did you use to repair it. I can try to post pics later.

 

[Tekboy46]

Yes there is a way. You have vinyl coated canvas. Our ancient canvas leaked in the same places. Over the years the material will shrink a bit and become less flexible. The stitching holes will grow larger from setup stresses and leak. I fixed ours in 2007 by working Marine Goop into seams with the worst leaking; these were the bunkend corners where the leaks were more than the latex seam sealer could handle. Spread it thin and work it into the seams. Goop starts to dry fast so you have to spread thin and neat because you don't have time to "work" and spread it like caulking. Aesthetically, this isn't the "prettiest" fix in the world for this, but ours is absolutely bone dry in the rain after 5 years. You can see the Goop on the seams as I put it on a little thicker than I should have. It's a functional fix that will dry you out if a new canvas isn't in the campers future right now. I would suppose that 100% G.E. clear silicone would behave the same way as the Goop has but I haven't read about anyone here actually using it for seams, but you might consider that.

 

[TNTtravelers]

Thanks....I was going to move this to the canvas/awning area. Maybe the moderator could?

 

[ejstephens]

I just fixed ours that had the same problem. The original seam tape was missing in places and the PO had used gorilla tape to cover the seams. There was tape residue and everything stuck to it. (leaves, dirt, etc.) I first had to remove the glue with goo gone. I bought one inch cotton belting by the yard. Mine required 7 feet per corner. I was originally going to sew it but it was too thick. I bought a fabric glue that was washable. I glued it around the old seam tape and clamped it using clothes pins until it dried. After it dried I sprayed a water proof spray in the seams. This weekend we camped and it stormed one night while we were there. The seam leaked in 2 corners a small amount. I probably didn't spray it well in those areas. I ordered some Sno-Seal and I think that will completely water proof the seams. It looks great. The seams are clean and all one color again. Once I get the right amount of water proofing on it I think it will be perfect.

 

[Dusty82]

The 100% silicone idea may or may not work on vinyl coated canvas. Silicone sometimes doesn't want to stick to vinyl, but your mileage may vary. With vinyl, it's all in the prep - the surfaces have to be very clean for any sealer to stick to it, but for some reason this is especially true with silicone.

I've never used it myself, but I've heard from several folks that the Marine Goop works well, but as Tekboy said, you don't have a lot of time to work it into the seams.

Of course all of this assumes that you've sprayed a weatherproofing like 303 High Tech Protectant on the canvas, and the moisture is truly leaking through the needle holes, and not just wicking into the camper through untreated canvas. Because this seam is in an area where you have several layers of fabric overlapping, it's perfectly acceptable to treat the inside of the canvas there.

 

[TNTtravelers]

Well..we still have a little leakage. And yes, the Marine goop is hard to work with. I think we will probably end up covering up the canvas strips on the corners....they are deteriorating. This might be a project for next year.

 

[Dusty82]

Better to be a project for this winter. If you should need to take it to an awning shop, for the sake of argument, winter time is the off season - wait times are shorter and prices are generally lower.

If nothing else, drop by a marine upholstery shop and see if they have some scrap vinyl you can use for a patch. They'll most likely give it to you just to get it out of the shop. Judicious use of some of Sailrite's HH-66 adhesive will seal the patch down real good, then stitching it in place with a sewing awl will keep it there forever.

Vinyl Cement HH-66 for Vinyl Fabrics

 

[TNTtravelers]

It's damp along the entire seam. The material that is folded over all the corners on the outside. We can't work on it in winter because of where we live and we have no place to keep it up to work on it.

 

[TNTtravelers]

The 100% silicone idea may or may not work on vinyl coated canvas. Silicone sometimes doesn't want to stick to vinyl, but your mileage may vary. With vinyl, it's all in the prep - the surfaces have to be very clean for any sealer to stick to it, but for some reason this is especially true with silicone.

I've never used it myself, but I've heard from several folks that the Marine Goop works well, but as Tekboy said, you don't have a lot of time to work it into the seams.

Of course all of this assumes that you've sprayed a weatherproofing like 303 High Tech Protectant on the canvas, and the moisture is truly leaking through the needle holes, and not just wicking into the camper through untreated canvas. Because this seam is in an area where you have several layers of fabric overlapping, it's perfectly acceptable to treat the inside of the canvas there.

Dusty, can I use that product on the vinyl coated canvas?

 

[BigBaron]

Dusty, any tips on fixing a small tear in the window along the stitching?

 

[Dusty82]

Dusty, can I use that product on the vinyl coated canvas?

It's best to check with the pup's manufacturer to make sure, but I believe the 303 is safe to use on vinyl coated canvas.

Big Baron: I may have several tips for you, but a pic of the tear would help. It all depends on where the tear is and how big it is.