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How to Air Weld a Tent Top

Tents are subject to a great deal of wear and tear brought about simply by the act of putting them up, taking them down and storing them. A rip or a tear in the fabric of the tent is not uncommon, but unless the injured area can be put to rights, the tent must be discarded. Air welding, or hot air patching of a tent is only possible with a vinyl tent. Tents made from other materials are not suitable for air welding. Air welding, which involves using heat to "weld" two pieces of vinyl together, is an extremely strong way to patch a tent. It produces a patch of a quality superior to gluing and longer-lasting than a self-adhering patch.

Things You'll Need

Vinyl for patching
Scissors
Hot air welding gun
Hand roller

Instructions

- 1
  Cut a piece of repair vinyl that is at least 1 to 2 inches larger than the hole or rip that needs repair. Use scissors and round off any square corners on the patch.
- 2
  Lay the damaged portion of the tent on a flat surface and make sure that the area around the hole or the tear is clean. Wipe with a damp cloth if necessary and then dry with another cloth.
- 3
  Lay the patch over the hole or under the hole, depending on which type of repair will look the best. Center the patch so that the edges of the patch are even around the area to be patched.
- 4
  Insert the tip of the hot air patching gun under one edge of the patch and turn the gun on. Experiment with the temperature of the gun; the gun needs to get the vinyl hot enough to slightly melt, but not hot enough to scorch it.
- 5
  Press down on the roller as the vinyl becomes sticky. Work the hot tip of the gun and the roller around the patch, pressing down the vinyl patch so it sticks to the vinyl of the tent. Make certain that all edges of the patch become gooey and stick down firmly. Re-heat any spots that have not adhered completely. Allow the patch to cool for a few minutes.
- 6
  Turn the tent inside-out and use your heat gun on the other side of the patch to heat all around the edges and press the vinyl together with the roller. Make certain that all sections of the patch, on both sides, have been heated and welded together. Allow the patch to cool. The tent is now as good as new.

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