3dAngus
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It seems more and more trailers are coming in with torn sheets off the back and front. Gimpy once said, at a Ga. Rally years ago, UV is the culprit, and it eats the threads. I'm more than convinced at this time, seeing over a dozen torn off front or back sheets on these trailer canvas covers.
I tried different things. I hate search, and am sure there are better ways to do it you can search on. I don't have a canvas sewing machine, but using search one day, found HH-66 to be the super vinyl glue of choice. Expensive, but worth it, according to the writer.
My personal experience with HH-66 may not be as glamorous. I tried using it according to instructions, but found that it alone is just not enough. I took it a little further this time.
I used a hair clipper to cut the threads. Previous experience tells me the threads torn off and remaining push out the canvas from one piece to the next, and make it more difficult for the adhedsive to work. After trimming the threads clean, I found some roofing nails with caps, and removed the caps. I drilled out these 1" caps for fit on my plastic rivets, and used one cap on the inside, one on the outside. Again, previous experience tells me the rivet holding the canvas together at the ends of the stitching is not enough. You need a cap on there for additonal support to the end support.
After drilling out the canvas with a wood block behind, I inserted the plastic rivets with cap on both sides. This is where the tears usually first start, and almost always start when pulling the canvas around the yard. Never pull it by the end tabs or end sheets. Grab it in the middle.
Once reinforced on the ends, I went inside the clean shaven seams and applied HH-66 to both sides. I set a battery on top to hold the seal, then went on to the next length. It dries fast when pressure is applied.
Adhedsive alone will not do it. Nothing will replace a good string and a double stitch, but that is something that is simply not available to us all. This is a cheap mans fix, and it seems to work better then previous attempts. You can paint over the roofing felt nail tabs after installation for a match. Good luck with your repairs, and please don't throw that torn canvas away. Someone can use it if you cannot.
I tried different things. I hate search, and am sure there are better ways to do it you can search on. I don't have a canvas sewing machine, but using search one day, found HH-66 to be the super vinyl glue of choice. Expensive, but worth it, according to the writer.
My personal experience with HH-66 may not be as glamorous. I tried using it according to instructions, but found that it alone is just not enough. I took it a little further this time.
I used a hair clipper to cut the threads. Previous experience tells me the threads torn off and remaining push out the canvas from one piece to the next, and make it more difficult for the adhedsive to work. After trimming the threads clean, I found some roofing nails with caps, and removed the caps. I drilled out these 1" caps for fit on my plastic rivets, and used one cap on the inside, one on the outside. Again, previous experience tells me the rivet holding the canvas together at the ends of the stitching is not enough. You need a cap on there for additonal support to the end support.
After drilling out the canvas with a wood block behind, I inserted the plastic rivets with cap on both sides. This is where the tears usually first start, and almost always start when pulling the canvas around the yard. Never pull it by the end tabs or end sheets. Grab it in the middle.
Once reinforced on the ends, I went inside the clean shaven seams and applied HH-66 to both sides. I set a battery on top to hold the seal, then went on to the next length. It dries fast when pressure is applied.
Adhedsive alone will not do it. Nothing will replace a good string and a double stitch, but that is something that is simply not available to us all. This is a cheap mans fix, and it seems to work better then previous attempts. You can paint over the roofing felt nail tabs after installation for a match. Good luck with your repairs, and please don't throw that torn canvas away. Someone can use it if you cannot.
I was wondering if anybody has tried pliobond adhesive? I am hearing good things but never tried it yet. 
