How to Repair a Torn Nylon Tent

At first glance, repairing a tear or a hole in the fabric of a nylon tent seems as easy as stitching the fabric back together. Merely stitching a tear in a tent's fabric, however, leaves the tent's water-resistant or waterproof qualities damaged and its insulating qualities compromised. To truly repair a torn nylon tent, you must patch the tear with a nylon tent-patching kit.

Things You'll Need

  • Soap
  • Bowl
  • Rags
  • Patching kit for nylon tents
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Instructions

    • 1

      Clean both sides of the fabric around the tear in the tent with rags, soap and a bowl of water. Allow the nylon to dry.

    • 2

      Trim the nylon fabric from the patching kit into an interior patch. It must extend around the perimeter of the tear by at least 1/4 inch.

    • 3

      Peel off the adhesive cover from the exterior, circular stick patch, hold the torn fabric flat, and apply the patch to cover the outside of the tear.

    • 4

      Coat the area around the inside of the tear with adhesive sealant from the kit. Coat an area extending at least 1/2 inch from the edges of the patches to fully seal the tear. Hold the fabric flat and apply the interior patch of nylon fabric to the tear.

    • 5

      Allow the adhesives to dry for at least two hours before doing anything that might fold or bend the fabric, such as striking the tent and packing it up.