Repairing SL5

[Clarktar]

Anyone have any experience repairing an SL5? I have a small (2inch, L shaped) tear on the fly, located pretty low (maybe 7 inches up from the bottom edge). Was hoping someone could pass on any tips or tricks learned through their experience. Thanks!

 

[GibsonKuenzi]

Try tenacious tape. Have heard it works good.

 

[muleman]

Here is how Titanium Goat helped me repair a 1x1" L shaped tear in a Hoopla 4. I was able to watch the process and completed part of it at home.

My tear was in a high tension area near the top.

1. With a soldering gun with a sharp blade, two circles were melted out by tracing around a circular object.

2. Coat one surface of the circle with 100% silicone and stick it over the tear.

3. Repeat step 2 for the inside.

4. At this point I took the fly home and sewed arount the perimeter of the circles.

5. Smear silicone over the circle on the outside and work into the threads.

6. Let dry and your done.

This repair is rock solid and has held up without issue.

You might be able to use GearAide tape or similar. Several people on the forum have posted about liking it and having good results.

 

[Justin Crossley]

I used a very similar method to repair a Hilleberg tent and it worked great.

 

[Clarktar]

Okay, so what is the material the the two circles are cut from?

 

[muleman]

Okay, so what is the material the the two circles are cut from?

Sorry--SilNylon

 

[muleman]

I'm local to Titanium Goat but I bet you could give them a call and they could cut some circles and throw them in the mail for cheap. Worth a call if you want to go that route.

 

[husky390]

They might replace it or you can send it to them for repair. Downside is you're probably looking at an 8 week lead time.

 

[Becca]

I have repaired lots of tears in our gear (including rain pants, puffy jackets and pants, tarps and tents to include the SL5). For larger tears or awkward shapes like the "L" shape you described I hand stitch closed with carpet thread. On the inside I apply a piece of Kenyon repair tape (much like tenacious tape, I buy it off amazon although I have seen it at rei as well). Be sure to round the edges off with scissors so it is a circle or oval shape before you apply it, as square corners are prone to peeling. Then I liberally seal the outside with regular AquaSeal right over the stitching. Never had any issues with any of our gear items with regular use once I have repaired them.

 

[Clarktar]

Thanks everyone!! I will probably contact TiGoat and see if they can mail me two circles ASAP. We are packing up our house for good and reverting back to the gypsy lifestyle, living out of our Alaskan camper/ SL5 and raft until end of Sept, at a minimum.

With most of my our stuff squirreled away in random boxes, not organized or labeled in any fashion, finding my soldering gun is a no go, and sitting down to sew the rip wont happen either. Thanks for the recommendations, I appreciate it!

 

[colonel00]

FWIW, I am back in town later today. While I don't have and matching green silnylon, I could probably send you some pieces along with the other stuff coming your way.

 

[Clarktar]

Colonel, that would be Great!!! Man, really appreciate all the help from Roksliders....