DIY canopy repairs

Steve_I

Steve_I

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Joined
7 Nov 2006
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Charleston SC. USA
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The covers on our recently aquired boat are not that old, but there are about half a dozen places where the press stud has pulled through the material leaving a hole (and a flappy portion of canvas)! Is it possible to buy patches and replacement press studs? I don't particularly want to remove parts of the canopy and send it off for repair as it would leave the boat open to the elements (and the seagulls... and the scallywags)! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Yes, its quite easy to do. You need the bits of press stud, with the thingy which binds them together when you hammer them, and some patches (leather is good, on both sides of the area), a hammer, of course, and a nice block of wood for hammering the bits together on. I found it helped to araldite the patch in place before attaching the stud.
Any decent craft/haberdashery type shop should have the bits - try a google for one near you.
 
Over the years, I've taught myself DIY sewing - even made sails etc.
I buy all my bits from the trade - here http://www.sailcloth.co.uk/ - just off the M27 near Fareham.
Great place for all the buttons and clips etc.
You CAN get the buttons from your local swindlery but as said before you have to use a hammer to fix them.
Last year, I treated myself to the proper tool - looks like a big G clamp - costs over £100 though but you then dont have to punch the material - just fit the fittings/buttons onto the tools and squeeze - great bit of kit.

Get some webbing or some similar material to the covers and sew them into the damaged areas then fix the buttons - very rewarding when you get it right.
I even made myself a set of window covers for this season.
All the bits from Kayospruce (link above)
 
Yes Nick whenever you're ready - but I haven't yet perfected my technique yet - my fingers are too big and always seem to get caught in the machine - you probably dont want my blood over them anyway.

My work is very DIY and I normally buy new covers from someone I can trust - JB for example.
 
Many thanks gents and good link Mike. I'm not sure I'll be going for the professional tool though... It's over £165 now! I'm sure I can run to Trevs' hammer and wood block though /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Having noted the similarities to the professionals tool and a G Clamp I bought a small G clamp took the spread pad off, used some gel coat filler to wedge the G clamp thread to a SS pipe and jammed in the press stud tool bought in the kit from chandlers ( the bit you hit with a hammer) the other button bit is glued on the other end of the g clamp.

It works very well and has two important benifits

I dont have to use a hammer early mornings/late night anymore

I dont have to remove the canopy to repair.

Takes 5 - 10 mins to make and well worth the effort £165 /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
mine cost less than £10.
 
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