Patching recommendations?

[SnoMan]

My wife and I each have a WBBB and superfly. I'd like to take a patch kit consisting of some ripstop nylon and some kind of adhesive. What do you recommend?

[oldgringo]

http://www.amazon.com/Aqua-NRS-Tear-.../dp/B00241OSK6

[Bubba]

Hey Sno, I carry McNett Sil-Fix with me for tarp repair. I will also carry some McNett Tenacious Tape for all around use. I think in a pinch the Tenacious tape would work on a silnylon tarp but if you're not too worried about weight, carrying the stuff specifically for silnylon is not a bad idea.

[gmcttr]

A needle and thread might be nice for hammock repairs or anywhere tape won't work. A business card with 50'+ of thread and a few needles stuck in it is very compact, weighs little and can fix a lot of problems.

I always wonder about curing time with silicone based adhesives. Will I have time (do I want) to wait for it to cure?

[GT]

Hey SnoMan,
My thoughts.
I have yet to find an adhesive that will penetrate into the fibers of ripstop nylon, breathable or coated. Even had 3m send some samples. A couple worked fairly well but lost it's grip in heat or cold.
Anyway, the best you can do that I know of besides stitching something is to cut a few patches of ripstop with some pinking scissors. Grab some permanent clear, water proof adhesive, at wally world. butter up both tear and patch with a business card and place a patch on both sides of the tear. That stuff will get you through till you can stitch something on. You can also pick up a battery operated hand stitcher at wally world if you don't mind lugging it around. Then there's always Duct Tape.

[turnerminator]

Lost in Space, have you tried McNett seam grip?

[SnoMan]

Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone. Very helpful!

[Hawk-eye]

Just one old fart's opinion ... but carrying "Gorilla Tape" (I have several feet wrapped around each hiking pole) or good old Duck Tape ... will make a most excellent patch for any tarp in the field ... even sil-nylon. However to make a repair and I've done this ... a round piece of sil nylon ... if repairing a sil tarp ... and some Permatex Flowable Silicone for adhesive makes a darn near permanent patch ... just stretch the tarp material tight, apply the silicone to the patch and patch to the tarp. Work it in good and let it dry. Will be there as long as you need it to be!

This flowable silicone is the best seam sealer I've ever used and it's cheap. You can find it at any auto parts store or buy it on Amazon if you want to.

Just my way of doing it .... don't make it right ... but it works for me.

[Bubba]

Just one old fart's opinion ... but carrying "Gorilla Tape" (I have several feet wrapped around each hiking pole) or good old Duck Tape ... will make a most excellent patch for any tarp in the field ... even sil-nylon. However to make a repair and I've done this ... a round piece of sil nylon ... if repairing a sil tarp ... and some Permatex Flowable Silicone for adhesive makes a darn near permanent patch ... just stretch the tarp material tight, apply the silicone to the patch and patch to the tarp. Work it in good and let it dry. Will be there as long as you need it to be!

This flowable silicone is the best seam sealer I've ever used and it's cheap. You can find it at any auto parts store or buy it on Amazon if you want to.

Just my way of doing it .... don't make it right ... but it works for me.

It's a great opinion but I think Sno was looking into something for a field repair kit. I think the flowable silicone needs 24 hours to cure.

[Hawk-eye]

It's a great opinion but I think Sno was looking into something for a field repair kit. I think the flowable silicone needs 24 hours to cure.

That's what I said ... the tape for the repair in the field ... the silicone for is definitely for back at home.