Patching an Otter Tent

[Tyler Holm]

I recently put a 2.5" rip in my otter tent. The rip is not close to any seams or windows, so its a "good rip". I bought a patch kit from otter, but it doesn't have any directions or supplies to attach(patch) the new material to the torn area.

What would you recommend for this? Hand stitching? What kinda thread? Gluing? Iron on? Patch both sides (inside and outside)?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[Dry_Fly]

I always cut to exact patches one for the inside and one for the outside. Draw the outline with pencil and than use DAP Weldwood contact cement putting it on the patch and the inside of the draw patch area wait till it gets tacky and that's it doing both sides of the tent tear. Never have had a problem after that. By drawing the outline of the patch it keeps the cement hidden and looks good afterwards.

The patch material from Otter is not Iron on. good luck make sure your patch has rounded corners makes it tougher to come off.

[hydro]

Gluing the patch is a good idea, but I would stitch it up as well. Go to the sewing store and buy a big curved needle, some "button" thread (nice & heavy), and see if they have beeswax. Wax the thread before you stitch the patch. The wax is sticky and keeps the thread from coming undone.

[bigswede]

There is also a product called tear grease that I have used. It is similar to contact cement, but I feel it is alot stonger. I have used it on jean patches and other things too. It is good stuff. Just my $.02

[Gadgetman]

I would second the "tear mender" recomendation. Available from any good small town hardware store.I have also used a product called TEAR-AID (google it) that has worked really well. The tear-aid is a very tuff clear plastic type stuff that has adhesive on one side and sticks like crazy, made for patching truck tarps etc. I have had the bad luck of having to do a lot of patching over the years and both of the above have worked well for me. I dont think thta you will have to sew,but if you want to what the heck.

[Dry_Fly]

I worked constuction for 30 some years used a lot of tear grease on my carhartts and it works great but I would still use the DAP Weldwood contact cement on my otter everytime and no need for sewing the edges afterwards.

[Tyler Holm]

Thanks guys,

I'll get over to the store and see what I can come up with.