Leaking stitching on awning

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Leaking stitching on awning

Desert Dweller · Guru

What do you think of this Dougwe? Might work if you run a strip of it along the seam?

www.radioparts.com.au/product/42452050/-

meetoo · Guru

Doug, most camping shops sell either small tubes of seam sealer (liquid), or wax sticks. Both work and both inexpensive. Not sure of brand/ product name atm.

Cheers, John.

meetoo · Guru

Desert Dweller wrote:
What do you think of this Dougwe? Might work if you run a strip of it along the seam?

www.radioparts.com.au/product/42452050/-

This won't work. Silicon tape only sticks to itself, and nothing else. So it needs to be wound, for example around a leaking hose.

Cheers, John.

Kebbin · Guru

Next time your waxing Dougee save some for the awning.

madaboutled · Guru

Kebbin wrote:
Next time your waxing Dougee save some for the awning.

That's not as silly as it sounds, candle wax is a proven method for waterproofing canvas and vinyl stitched seams.

Phillipn · Guru

Be careful of what you use to stop the leaks. Some of the tapes that are available may stick to the roller or the fabric that it contacts when the awning is rolled up.

I put a tape that I purchased at Super Cheap on my awning and it made a hell of a mess.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Iâve made up some bees wax and turps wax as a water resistant sealer ..

patrol03 · Senior Member

Hi Doug. This has happened to me with the last 2 vans we have had. The easiest,quickest,and most permanent fix is to wipe some clear silicone eg roof and gutter.with your finger along the stitching line on the outside. You do not need a lot, just enough to go into the stitching holes. Never had a problem since. In Tsv for the next month from tomorrow.If you are there we might cross paths. Ian.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Thanks for the input everyone. It looked like the wax won first prize but then Patrol03 came along with his suggestion hmm Now I'm confused confuse

If I was to use wax, do you melt it first then paint it on the stitching or just rub the unmelted wax on the stitching ? If that doesn't work, then I have to try to get the wax off for the next trial.

Whatever I do I don't want the stitching to rot over time.

Ian, I did think of a smear of clear silicone over the stitching. I am no where near Townsville for some time Ian. In fact, I might not be even heading north this year. Only time will tell. I will have to read my own monthly updates to see where I went confuse smile

Kebbin · Guru

They say the reason awnings leak is because they use polyester stitching and unlike cotton it doesn't swell when wet and as such will only last about 5 years before holes start opening up and start leaking. One product mentioned is HH-66 Vinyl Cement.

HH-66 Vinyl Cement is a superior quality, fast drying adhesive. It is used extensively for bonding vinyl coated and vinyl laminated fabrics to themselves or to various materials. HH-66 is also used to bond urethanes, vinyl foams and films, rigid plastics, synthetic fabrics, wood, leather, and metals. It is outstanding for sealing or waterproofing stitched seams.

HH-66 dries quickly with a very strong, yet flexible bond. It is not affected by weather and temperature extremes, and is highly resistant to oil, fuel, grease, and many other chemicals.

Application is by brush, roller, or squeeze bottle. Dried films may be reactivated to the tacky state by high heat or solvent.

Your choice Doug re-stitched, wax, stitch sealant or HH-66

www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html

Cupie · Guru

Hi D ..

I used a stick of bees wax & it worked OK but got dirty over time.

If I were to do it these days I'd be inclined towards the HH66 stuff. Good to have a bit of it in my van's adhesive box for occasional repairs to vinyl annex et al.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Or a thin line of PVC glue along stitching ? But leave open all day till it dries . I often spray awning with tyre shine as protectant, water proofing .

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Kebbin wrote:
They say the reason awnings leak is because they use polyester stitching and unlike cotton it doesn't swell when wet and as such will only last about 5 years before holes start opening up and start leaking. One product mentioned is HH-66 Vinyl Cement.

HH-66 Vinyl Cement is a superior quality, fast drying adhesive. It is used extensively for bonding vinyl coated and vinyl laminated fabrics to themselves or to various materials. HH-66 is also used to bond urethanes, vinyl foams and films, rigid plastics, synthetic fabrics, wood, leather, and metals. It is outstanding for sealing or waterproofing stitched seams.

HH-66 dries quickly with a very strong, yet flexible bond. It is not affected by weather and temperature extremes, and is highly resistant to oil, fuel, grease, and many other chemicals.

Application is by brush, roller, or squeeze bottle. Dried films may be reactivated to the tacky state by high heat or solvent.

Your choice Doug re-stitched, wax, stitch sealant or HH-66

www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html

Thanks for that info Kebbin, I looked it up and sounds the goods for sure however, at $26 for 237ml and $44 delivery from Mackay QLD Makes it a costly item indeed. $44 delivery is the bit that puts me off really. The $26 for the item is not a problem. Will solve the leaking stitching though.

I did a search and found a place in Carrum Downs VIC that might have it. I will be down that way tomorrow so will call in and see.

Craig1 · Guru

PVC " glue " is actually a solvent that disolves the surface and into the material, When it drys it re welds the two mating surfaces together. Green for pressure and blue for stormwater/sewer. Probably a last resort as awning material significantly thinner than ' plastic pipe". Also if it pools it keeps working for an extended period. cheers Craig

rodden · Member

Bunnings have it hh-66 vinyl cement 8 oz for $21 71. I ,lll be there first thing in the morning

Good luck travel safe

Dougwe · Chief one feather

My 21/2 year old grandson want's me to take him to the big green shed tomorrow so will take a peak while there.

Farmhat · Senior Member

Dougwe wrote:
Thanks for the input everyone. It looked like the wax won first prize but then Patrol03 came along with his suggestion Now I'm confused
If I was to use wax, do you melt it first then paint it on the stitching or just rub the unmelted wax on the stitching ? If that doesn't work, then I have to try to get the wax off for the next trial.

Hello Dougwe, with the wax sticks you rub on as is, like it is a pencil, without melting.

Joe

oldbloke · Guru

Dubbin. Seals boots OK. Available at Aussie disposals.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Thanks again everyone for your help.

Rodden, how did you go at the big green shed? I checked with them and they had never heard of it.

I ended up goig with the HH66. I just have to wash the top of awning and let dry then do the job.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

For those that might have been following this thread here is some more info for you.

I washed the under side of the awning the other day and at 7.30am today (Friday 23/2) decided to wash the top of it. It sat there drying in the sunshine until 2.30pm when I rolled the awning up and painted the HH66 on the outside stitching and about 6mm each side of stitching so as to get a good cover. By the time I finished, it was already dry where I started so left it to dry longer and at 3.30pm rolled the awning out and set up again. I then painted the roller end the same way, again it was dry at the starting end. The awning was fully set up again by 4.00pm.

Time will now tell if it works.

The lady where I got the HH66 from said it dried quick and would be usable in 20 mins of finishing.

It is so easy to use with the included brush attached to the inside of the lid.

Top and roller took about 15 mins each to finish, including up and down a set of steps both times.

I cant see how this stuff will not work and so far, I am one happy old Indian camper. Oh! My one feather should stay dry now and last longer.

-- Edited by Dougwe on Friday 23rd of February 2018 04:51:42 PM

rodden · Member

MMMMMMMM!
A big sorry Dougwe and others for giving you a bum steer , my fault for not checking properly ,
I was checking Bunnings pages and there was a small add to the side of the Bunnings sites and I thought it belonged to B
BUnnings A BIG mistake , sorry to all.... Only found out when l went to Bunnings this morning (sat)
I felt a right DH. Ted

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Yes I mean PVA glue too . Most houses have it . Dries clear .,

Dougwe · Chief one feather

rodden wrote:
MMMMMMMM!
A big sorry Dougwe and others for giving you a bum steer , my fault for not checking properly ,
I was checking Bunnings pages and there was a small add to the side of the Bunnings sites and I thought it belonged to B
BUnnings A BIG mistake , sorry to all.... Only found out when l went to Bunnings this morning (sat)
I felt a right DH. Ted

No problem Ted. I was in the big green shed with my grandson anyway.

Mmm, maybe you were just trying to make me look silly, mate. Didn't work sorry, as I am already silly smile

rodden · Member

hi Dougwe,
I'm having no luck in buying the HH-66 in Sydney (it's like trying to buy rocking horse poo) Could you possibly tell me where you. Punched yours from. Please.. Or maybe some one knows of a place in Syd where l can get it..
My awning is 6 yrs old ,been covered about half of that and the stitching along the top just before the sale track has disappeared (eaten up by the sun) leavening a row of holes the full length of the awning
Hope you can help.
Many thanks Ted

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

I painted the top first 18â on my awning with roof tile paint as itâs very flexible . I had some left over after painting roofs on my houses . You wouldnât know unless I told you . The sun gives this section hell . It was either paint for protection or replace in 18 months time . The paint has given total sun protection . Two coats .

denmonkey · Senior Member

As others have said, I've always carried a one of those small candle lights in my kit when camping for fixing tents that had the same issue.
A couple of quick rubs with it and you're away. Can be done whilst wet as an emergency repair also.
It doesnt last forever and does require reapplication from time to time.
Cheap and easy but something more permanent might be in order.

Dick0 · Guru

Hey Doug, $6.00 Roof & Gutter (Clear) sealant works well also.

Applied with a narrow spatula, both top and bottom over seam.

Very flexible and permanent.

biggrin biggrin biggrin