leaking hoods!

[taormina]

hi, the hoods on my doral leak like a ....... seems to come through in a few places, the hoods look good from outside but on inside are a bit cracked up, if i treat the outside with a water repelancy will this work, anybody had any success? or is new hoods time!!!!!!!!! gulp..

 

[gjgm]

unless their is an obvious tear, or its coming in through zips/joins, then its likely to be coming in through the stitching. As the canvas streches, it opens up the stitch holes.
You can get a small bottle of seam filler from Millets etc for about £5. It seems a bit like UHU, and you smear it over the outside seam.
In my experience, it helps a little, but I wouldnt say more than that /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
I discussed it with a fabric specialist; they said once the stitching open up.. thats pretty much it.

 

[RIN]

We used the Millets stuff on the seams of our old (now our Winter) canopy. It definitely worked so will be worth a go even if it gives you one extra season. Only drawback is it is noticeable. Or maybe I was hamfisted with it. If it is coming through the canvas and not the seams then I think you can apply some sort of spray re sealant

 

[taormina]

Thanks. off to millets then, and will use water repellancy...

 

[ralf2]

millets stuff will be seen after use,i prefer fabsil or fabseal something like that far better than the glue based stuff,fabsil from camper stores.

 

[poltergeist]

Just used 3 cans of Fabosil on my canopy - jobs a good'un.

 

[DavidJ]

Yep Fabsil works and is invisible. Use the brush on not the aerosol. Make sure your hood is dry before using. I've been told never to get it on the plastic windows so I work around them but is this true? Have others just brushed it on everywhere?

 

[oliverbarke]

Hoods always seem to leak more this time of year for a few reasons. The first is the hoods shrink which can cause a leak normally around the stitching or where a frame contacts the hood, this is where you need to apply the water proofing. The second is that frost and snow allow the water to sit on top of the canvas/material allowing it to permiate the material, whether your hoods are old or new they will tend to leak this time of year. I think the Dorals have velcro seals where they meet the arch ensure these are pulled back tight so they fully cover the zips. hope this helps