Awning fabric repair advice needed

[GeoffL]

Hi all.

One end of the outer edge of our Omnistor awning fabric has developed a tear. This is right at the end of the fabric, along the stitching line that holds the 'piping' in place. Gorilla tape has been tried and failed I've attached photos of the tear...
Any help to identify a company that can repair this or supply a replacement fabric will be gratefully received, as will how to remove and replace the fabric!
Thanks for looking.

 

[n brown]

is there enough fabric to cut off right along the stitching and re- attach after removing the damagd bit

 

[GeoffL]

is there enough fabric to cut off right along the stitching and re- attach after removing the damagd bit

Thanks. I had thought about that -- and I'd probably lose between 1.5 to 2 inches off the end of the fabric that way. However, I'm concerned about how the mechanism works as it seems that both the fabric roller and the rafters are 'driven', which implies that the shortened fabric might prevent the (hinged) rafters from extending? I had thought that maybe replacing the end six inches or so with a new piece of fabric, sewn to both the original fabric and around the 'piping' might do the job. But I'd need to find out how to remove and replace the fabric and also how to use a sewing machine (or find someone to do the necessary work!)
Thanks again...

 

[Robmac]

There are companies who specialis in awning repairs such as the following 2;

Caravan Awning Repairs - All Makes & Models - Specialised Canvas

Our caravan awning repair service specialise in all types of restoration work to any make or model of awning.

www.specialisedcanvas.co.uk

Awning Repairs | Awning Maintenance | The Awning Company

In desperate need of a quick repair on your awning? Trust The Awning Company for all of your awning repair and awning maintenance needs.

theawningcompany.co.uk

Might be worth a ring?

 

[merl]

Could you sharpen the end of a thin screwdriver and use this to cut the plastic core of the piping approximately in line with where the tear is. (Around 10"-12" from the end?) Then slide that short piece of the core out of the awning pocket. Cut the square section of knackered fabric out and sew up a replacement square a couple of inches bigger than the original complete with piping pocket. Slide the piece of core into the new pocket and then re-assemble overlapping the extra couple of inches of fabric and sealing the 2 faces with Sika. As you say, I can't see how you can get to machine sew it unless you remove the whole awning fabric and that's probably a big job?

 

[GeoffL]

Might be worth a ring?

I'll give them a ring, although they're a little far North for me! That said, I plan to visit my niece in Scotland later this year and perhaps I could 'swing by' on the way. At the very least, it'll give me an idea of how much a repair should cost, so thanks.

Could you sharpen the end of a thin screwdriver and use this to cut the plastic core of the piping approximately in line with where the tear is. (Around 10"-12" from the end?) Then slide that short piece of the core out of the awning pocket. Cut the square section of knackered fabric out and sew up a replacement square a couple of inches bigger than the original complete with piping pocket. Slide the piece of core into the new pocket and then re-assemble overlapping the extra couple of inches of fabric and sealing the 2 faces with Sika. As you say, I can't see how you can get to machine sew it unless you remove the whole awning fabric and that's probably a big job?

That's a nice bit of lateral thinking. I can see how to remove the end cap and so be able to slide the cut-off bit of piping out. If it's a case of replacing the entire awning, or a repair isn't really economically viable, I might give it a go on the basis as there's nothing to lose. Thanks.

 

[Scotia]

Something like this, I have seen repairs done and sure an iron was used to help melt and cure the glue on the tape.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/KAIHENG-Awning-Repair-Canvas-Waterproof/dp/B0C65JYF8G/ref=asc_df_B0C65JYF8G/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=658902616751&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4309031786228103949&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9073609&hvtargid=pla-2269139392797&psc=1&mcid=e15f2de9465f3162ba2e3bee5d806278

 

[Fazerloz]

Try Mylar sail repair tape. Incredibly strong and sticks like no other tape. Make sure it’s clean.

 

[GeoffL]

The problem with taping is that there's nothing on one side of the tear to which to stick the tape. The tear is right next to the piping. I have tried 'Gorilla' tape to stick the fabric to the structure that houses the piping, but that didn't work and the tape prevented the awning from being stowed. Thanks anyway....

 

[GMJ]

I repaired a tear in ours but had material on both sides to play with.

I sewed the tear closed using sail thread; then glued all along the tear; then patched it using a Fiamma repair kit...which wasn't cheap but is holding nicely....fingers crossed!

 

[QFour]

I did that in exactly the same place. What a pig to repair. I undid the canopy and slid the canvas out. I then used the Fiamma repair tape which is very sticky to fasten the bolt rope to the canvas. It went from the front round the boltrope and back to the other side.. Once I had done that fed it back in again and reassembled it. Not a two minute job but it lasted and traded it in without anyone knowing. It was very difficult to see the repair. You have to slide the front aluminum piece along you cannot do it otherwise. Alternatively take the canvas out and get a sailmaker to put a new bolt rope in but he has to be very accurate or you will get a load of creases. I priced up a new canvas. Cheapest I found was the Netherlands but they didn't ship as its to long.

 

[AllanD]

I have heard that Rose Awnings in Poole are very good, haven’t had the need to use them so can’t recommend based on experience but they do seem to have a good name.

 

[Wully]

Another one for Rose awnings I have used them twice. But just to purchase stuff very helpful and knowledgeable seem eager to help and explain stuff.

 

[GeoffL]

Thanks chaps. Rose Awnings duly contacted. However, they say they can't source the fabric as it's an obsolete model and a new replacement awning is over a grand I don't actually need to have the same pattern, so I'll get back and ask them if they can re-use the frame and just fit new fabric. Thanks again.

 

[QFour]

All you need is the fabric. Like to bet they are all the same fittings.

 

[GeoffL]

All you need is the fabric. Like to bet they are all the same fittings.

Unfortunately (according to Rose Awnings), the fabric from later models has the wrong size 'kader' (i.e. the beading that holds the fabric in the moving side of the frame. Here's what they said via email:

Unfortunately, we wouldn’t be able to replace the fabric due to the beading on the older models being a lot thicker.​

Also, they suggest that any repair attempt could be futile, viz:

Due to the age of the awning, the amount of UV it has been submitted too would have made the fabric far too brittle to attempt any kind of repair.​

That said, it can't hurt to at least try something like you suggested in post #11.

 

[QFour]

Unfortunately (according to Rose Awnings), the fabric from later models has the wrong size 'kader' (i.e. the beading that holds the fabric in the moving side of the frame. Here's what they said via email:

Unfortunately, we wouldn’t be able to replace the fabric due to the beading on the older models being a lot thicker.​

Also, they suggest that any repair attempt could be futile, viz:

Due to the age of the awning, the amount of UV it has been submitted too would have made the fabric far too brittle to attempt any kind of repair.​

That said, it can't hurt to at least try something like you suggested in post #11.

The Fiama repair tape is designed for the job. Its very sticky and stretches as well. It was a bit of a pain to do but wound the awning out so I could reach. Undid the end caps and mine had long screws in the bolt rope so theses were removed. Slackened of the bolts holding the legs in place and carefully slid the front crossmember sideways. Cleaned the canvas with meths and then removed some of the backing and lined everything up. When I was happy I carefully pulled the backing off a bit at a time and then wrapped it round the bolt rope. Bit of a tight fit going back in but it never came undone. Our got torn in France. Left the awning out one night and the heavens opened up and down came the rain. Hope you manage a repair. No harm in trying what have you got to loose. Mark where everything fits as it needs to go back in exactly the same position otherwise you will have fun lining it all up.

 

[GeoffL]

The Fiama repair tape is designed for the job. Its very sticky and stretches as well. It was a bit of a pain to do but wound the awning out so I could reach. Undid the end caps and mine had long screws in the bolt rope so theses were removed. Slackened of the bolts holding the legs in place and carefully slid the front crossmember sideways. Cleaned the canvas with meths and then removed some of the backing and lined everything up. When I was happy I carefully pulled the backing off a bit at a time and then wrapped it round the bolt rope. Bit of a tight fit going back in but it never came undone. Our got torn in France. Left the awning out one night and the heavens opened up and down came the rain. Hope you manage a repair. No harm in trying what have you got to loose. Mark where everything fits as it needs to go back in exactly the same position otherwise you will have fun lining it all up.

Thanks for that. One of the awning companies I found (Hill View Awnings in Wimborne) suggested similar. With my awning, the hinged rafters/tensioners are pinned to the crossmember. They suggested 'overextending' the awning so the fabric becomes slack, removing the end cover on the torn end and then sliding the damaged section out. If necessary, I can also remove the tensioner securing pins and slide the crossmember further. It should then be possible to both remove the torn off material from the kader channel and also secure the torn section to the kader with sail tape before reassembly. I've noted that I need to mark where the ends of the awning fabric sit and also your recommendation to use meths to clean the fabric. As you note, I don't have much to lose here as I can't use the awning currently except in wind-free conditions! Thanks again...

 

[QFour]

Thanks for that. One of the awning companies I found (Hill View Awnings in Wimborne) suggested similar. With my awning, the hinged rafters/tensioners are pinned to the crossmember. They suggested 'overextending' the awning so the fabric becomes slack, removing the end cover on the torn end and then sliding the damaged section out. If necessary, I can also remove the tensioner securing pins and slide the crossmember further. It should then be possible to both remove the torn off material from the kader channel and also secure the torn section to the kader with sail tape before reassembly. I've noted that I need to mark where the ends of the awning fabric sit and also your recommendation to use meths to clean the fabric. As you note, I don't have much to lose here as I can't use the awning currently except in wind-free conditions! Thanks again...

The rafter ends look like they have an Allen key screw holding them. I cannot see why they would pin them as its then impossible to adjust. Hope you manage to sort it. Sail tape might work but the Fiamma tape certainly does. Have fun hope you manage to sort it.

 

[n brown]

beading can be any round section flexi stuff . i have used 1mm twincore cable , and 6 and 8mm blue rope . if you need thinner , material shops do an assortment