Tent Refurbishing

“I have a 4 year old North Face Roadrunner 3. It's stored inside, and has only been used 4-5 times, always stored clean and dry. Last used 10 months ago.

When I pitched it this weekend, I noticed that the windows appeared "foggy" and normal soap and water did nothing to clean them. Also, the drawstrings on the storage sacks are very "sticky". Some of the interior fabric also seems stick. Lastly, the shockcord for the poles is dead. I plan to replace those, but I don't know what to do about the foggy & sticky issues.

Does anyone know what causes these conditions, and more importantly, how to remedy them?”

“Does it smell like something puked and died in it?”

“Probably moisture, I know it will make the windows fog.
MAybe heat?”

“What Lt said........I own 11 tents that are ready for use and have 5 other tents, old ones I do not use. Three of the tents i do not use have that smell and that same haze glaze on the window. It is from moisture / Heat......”

“Whoa! I thought I was the man with the biggest tent fetish (I have 9 - *please* don't tell my wife), but now I must bow down in homage to you! Are the 11 for different conditions/people combos?”

“Between my son and I we have 9 backpacking tents...and have our eyes on a few more!

I think the fog is really microscratches that cannot be repaired. Stickiness could be residue from seam sealing.

IMHO, as materials get better some of those problems will not be as common.”

“I have experienced the stickiness as urethane coatings begin to age. I am not familiar with the roadrunner 3 so I don't know if it is urethane coated or not. When ever I have had that problem there has been a putrid stench of puke. It is just lovely. I have never been able to redeem the fabric once the stench sets in. Heat adds to the process by softening the coating and allowing it adhere. It has happened to gear that has never been put away wet. Urethane coated nylon just seems to act that way.”

“lowandslow/ I have a tent that is 22 years old and I just used it 2 months ago.....I collect gear. My gear after a trip will be broken down for clean up and drying , clean etc,... before I get a shower. That's the way the military did it and it works for me.
I didn't mention I have 2 tarp tents, 3 bivy's although I am giving one away to a friend/Dynamonkey.

All seasons and different sizes, shapes.

This years new tent will be a new one that wil be shown at trail days in Damascus. I have already talked to the company and they are letting me have one for marketing. I cannot go into details but this new tent is 2 lbs, 2 man, not a single wall, and free standing......Later...........”

“Wow! As far as tents go, I can't offend my God by calling you a god (but I certainly feel like doing so!) so I'll just have to say that you're my hero! That new tent sounds amazing! It also sounds like it's gonna be a might cramped - you won't be staying in it will you? The tent manufacturer is willing to let you have one to display knowing that there will be a bunch of drunken trolls running around? They must really trust your gear cleaning skills.....”

“Buy a box of Baking Soda, and a plastic shaker bottle of Talcum Powder....

mix 50/50 im a mixing bowl, (I use a sifter to mix and break up any clumps).

Return the mix to the plastic shaker bottle.

Powder the tent inside and out to prevent sticking and absorb odors....
last edited: 1/28/08 5:59:47 AM”

“Yah, I'd agree with the rest and say that your tent didn't get stored properly, though I don't know if that would account for the stickiness you describe. Uhh, you didn't loan it to anyone, did you?

At any rate, wash that sucker in the washing machine with a mild detergent (front loader is best but a top loader will work). Gentle cycle. Air dry it (I sometimes set it up or throw it over a clothes line).”

“I would caution against the washing machine if it is a urethane coated fabric. Uncoated you can wash, but I have had the urethane coating peel off when I've tried to wash a tarp. That is one really nasty mess in the washing machine.”

“Let the Other Half wash the stuff in the washer...then guilt them into letting you buy a 'replacement" if you work it right you can get 4 or 5 GOOD DEAL tents for the price of the one they destroyed.”

“Yeah, good point, Rev. I should have mentioned wash in COLD.

Personally, I have never had anything come off after washing tents about a half-dozen times, including eurethane coated, but maybe I have just had good luck. The other option, if you are afraid of using the machine, would be to just hand wash it in a bucket or the bathtub.

Good luck!”

“Use powdered detergent, not liquid. Liquid detergent will immediately reduce the waterproofing on any object, bag, tent or especially rain gear.”

“... because I've done it. Contact TNF directly through their web site. They will reply with instructions on how to send them the tent. They will then advise you and give you an estimate. TNF tents are first rate and expensive and worth the trouble to get first rate TNF srevice.

Good luck,

Doug”