Ripped the penthouse

[pinz712]

Ok, today it happened I open popped the top and oh no. We closed the lach on the tent and ripped the canvas. What all have you done to fix it? I have seen it but could not find it. Thanks

[boywonder]

it's over....time to sell the van....

Seriously.....what about those iron-on patches for your jeans when you were a kid?......or at least when I was a kid.... Perhaps iron one on either side of the canvas? If you're a belt-and-suspenders type, perhaps sew the patches as well?

[pinz712]

Do you think that the plastic covering on the outside of the canvis would be affected by a iron?

[larrie]

It has been a while since I have used those patches. If I remember correctly the instructions say to put a towel between the patch and the iron on delicate items. This will be a two person job, one on the inside with the iron, towel and the patch. The other on the outside with a block of wood and maybe another towel over it as a backer. The patches take around 90 seconds for the glue to melt and setup.

The glue eventually fails from flexing so you may need to redo the iron on patch in a few years. The patches can be found in most fabric stores.

[boywonder]

Originally Posted by larrie

This will be a two person job, one on the inside with the iron, towel and the patch. The other on the outside with a block of wood and maybe another towel over it as a backer.

That's exactly what i was envisioning.....although I've never attempted this..

[rallypanam]

Originally Posted by boywonder

That's exactly what i was envisioning.....although I've never attempted this..

We did, and it works. Two people, some boards, towels, iron, and some unzipping and zipping.

Just make sure you don't sandwich the plastic in there.

[JackTuppVan]

I couldn't resist

[86Scotty]

Originally Posted by JackTuppVan

I couldn't resist

Hahaha! I think Larrie has the right idea here.

[wish41]

When I received my van initially over 2 years ago, there was some minor penthouse fabric wear in the locations where the j-hooks have a tendency to come into contact with the fabric when the penthouse is closed.

I contacted SMB and they sent me a yard or so of the penthouse fabric for free. I cut out circles and then applied to the existing canvas (over the areas where the j-hooks can come into contact with the fabric) with super grip glue or Gorilla glue (can't remember which one now) and it has held up just fine (even with the constant flexing when lifting and lowering the penthouse).

I think this could work well for your situation.

[LenS]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNFMzAEW0V0