D.I.Y. waterproof repairs?

[simon-b]

Does anyone have any tips for fixing tears in waterproof fabric? I've just found a couple of tears in the seat of my Berghaus Deluge trousers, which I've only used several times so far. Being mid-priced, perhaps a professional repair isn't justified, but they're not cheap enough to be considered disposable after such a short life. It looks like I must have caught them while climbing over a fence or coming down some sharp rocks, so I doubt whether this could be a warranty job.

I've wondered about gluing on a piece of waterproof fabric from an old worn out item, if there's a suitable glue anyone can recommend. Or does anybody have any other suggestions?

[sloosh]

http://www.nevisport.com/pr/382/gore-tex-fabric-repair-kit ?

[Cairngormwanderer]

Yup, the Goretex fabric repair kits work very well. You can get ordinary nylon ones which are just as good (since a wee patch doesn't have to be breathable. I fixed my Buffalo trousers years ago and they're still good, and fixed a Rab down jacket which is still good - and my gear gets hard used.

[rabthecairnterrier]

Very small tears can be dealt with by using bicycle puncture repair kits. More substantial damage can be sorted with spinnaker tape available from boat chandlers - being designed for repairing torn sails it's lightweight but very strong.

[joekell]

gortex repair patches from go outdoors £6 or £7 if I remember got some for a work colleague once for his golfing gear.

[Caberfeidh]

A roll of nylon fabric tape as used by Yotties to repair sails; stick it on either side and stitch as well to secure. Available at all good Yottie Chandlers.

[tam_187]

Duck tape. If you can't duck it, chuck it.

[scottishkennyg]

I bought official gore repair kit, coloured black, and kit came with two or three patches different sizes. I cut the large one in half and followed the instructions. Basically cleaned the area, ensured patch surrounded the damaged section with an overlap. Peeled off the back, stuck over the section, on the outside of the garment, then used a warm iron to press home and seal. Done. Used this on expensive golf jacket and it was A1. Also tried a repair on goretex gaitors with same kit. Patch did stick but as it was on an elastic section it did not do such a great job as the edges curled up. But the seal is still watertight.

[simon-b]

Thanks, everyone. Plenty of different suggestions to think about there.

[neil_mcgeoch]

There's an article in this months TGO magazine on repairing waterproof. Gives instructions and diagrams. I believe Duck Tape is their go to item.

[tenohfive]

There's an article in this months TGO magazine on repairing waterproof. Gives instructions and diagrams. I believe Duck Tape is their go to item.

Duck tape is possibly the most versatile item in the world. I didn't realise until recently though that if you run a lighter over it and gently heat it the stuff goes rigid and forms a better seal - very handy for tent repairs (I was using it on a bivvy tarp.)

[Rudolph]

Duck tape is possibly the most versatile item in the world.

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