How to Repair a Hole in a North Face Tent

North Face manufactures a variety of outdoor recreational equipment, including tents. Outdoor enthusiasts will find North Face tents in sizes ranging from one-man backpacking tents, to tents large enough to house the family. Tents can receive a hole or damage from normal wear and tear, age, or an accident. As with most camping gear, it is best to repair the damage as soon as soon as possible. Repairing the hole in your tent is not hard. In fact, you will find a repair kit that will do the job at your local outdoors store.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Cloth
Mild detergent
Rubbing alcohol
Acetone
Field Repair Kit

Step 1

Wipe off any loose dirt from the area of the tent where the hole is located before starting the repair. Use a mild detergent to remove the grime, if the tent is overly dirty. The repair will only be successful if applied to a clean surface. Allow the area to dry.

Step 2

Apply rubbing alcohol or acetone to a clean cloth and wipe around the damaged area. Be sure to wipe several inches out from where the actual damage is to remove any oils remaining on the material of the tent. The patch will not stick efficiently to an oily surface.

Step 3

Use the seam sealer adhesive in your field repair kit to fix minor pinholes located in the floor or tent's sides. Squeeze a small portion of the adhesive onto the area of the hole and spread out one inch around the damaged area. Allow the adhesive to dry for approximately 12 hours.

Step 4

Cut a patch from the adhesive patches in your field repair kit that is one inch in diameter larger than the size of your hole. Use this method if your tent is required for immediate use. Peel the backing off the patch and apply to the surface of the tent covering the hole. The patch will hold for several uses of the tent, but is not a permanent repair.

Step 5

Use both a patch and the adhesive seam sealer, when making a permanent repair to a larger hole. Cut the patch to the desired size, being sure to cut it one inch larger than the actual size of the hole. Apply the patch to the damaged area. Cover the opposite side of the damaged area with the seam sealer, spreading it out one inch beyond the hole. Allow the sealer to set for 2 to 3 days and remove the patch, uncovering a sealed hole.

Tips & Warnings

If you do not have a field repair kit, melt some glue from a hot glue stick and apply to the area of damage. This works if the tent hole is not too large.

You can also cut a piece of nylon that is a little larger than the tent hole, to use as a patch. Burn the edges of the patch to keep it from raveling and sew the patch over the hole. Treat the area with seam sealer.

Article Written By Joyce Starr

Joyce Starr is a professional writer from Florida and owns a landscaping company and garden center. She has published articles about camping in Florida, lawn care and gardening and writes for a local gardening newsletter. She shares her love and knowledge of the outdoors and nature through her writing.

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