How do you mend holes in fly wire

Submitted: Tuesday, Apr 13, 2010 at 22:43
ThreadID: 77702 Views:18430 Replies:10 FollowUps:3
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Has anyone ever repaired/mended holes in their fly wire screens on a caravan or camper?. Have tried Bunnings & some other stores but no repair kits. Apart form taking off the old & having new fly wire fitted has anyone ever repaired a fly wire screen?
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Reply By: Andrew-rodeo - Tuesday, Apr 13, 2010 at 22:54

Tuesday, Apr 13, 2010 at 22:54
Depends on the quality of the repair. I have done quite a resonable job with with a needle and thread. It holds the tear together and not easily noticed.
Cheers Andrew
AnswerID: 412837

Reply By: Member - Terry G (NSW) - Tuesday, Apr 13, 2010 at 23:22

Tuesday, Apr 13, 2010 at 23:22
Agree with Andrew. Needle and thread works fine for small tears . I have also glued (form of super glue) patches in place.


Good luck Terry
AnswerID: 412840

Reply By: kingswoodwagon - Tuesday, Apr 13, 2010 at 23:23

Tuesday, Apr 13, 2010 at 23:23
I got a flywire repair kit from BCF.
It contained a Needle, heavy cotton thread, spare flywire and PVA glue.
It works OK on small tears - a good repair job takes some patience.

Im not too sure why they chose that type of glue, dirt can stick to it. Maybe other glues are too rigid.





AnswerID: 412841

Follow Up By: kingswoodwagon - Tuesday, Apr 13, 2010 at 23:29

Tuesday, Apr 13, 2010 at 23:29
A few other points (as you dont really need to purchase a kit)

First stitch the tear with cotton (to give strength)
Put the patch on the inside (to make it less noticeable), make the patch about 2cm larger than the tear (usually a rectangle) round off the corners, line up the patch with the original to make it less noticeable.
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Reply By: Member - John and Val - Wednesday, Apr 14, 2010 at 08:00

Wednesday, Apr 14, 2010 at 08:00
We have repaired fibreglass mesh using a soldering iron on a low setting which seemed to work quite well. Cut a patch about an inch bigger all round and using a backing piece of wood to press against, run the iron all around to melt the layers together. Practice on some scraps first to find the right pressure and speed. Be aware though that the tip is no use for soldering afterwards!

We have also used transparent silastic (roof and gutter sealer) as a glue to afix patches. Works well, is flexible but make sure it is fully dry before packing the tent away.

Cheers
J and V
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AnswerID: 412855

Follow Up By: PradOz - Wednesday, Apr 14, 2010 at 10:04

Wednesday, Apr 14, 2010 at 10:04
x2 with the soldering iron but practice on scraps first. Not useful when the tear is up against an edge though
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FollowupID: 682895

Reply By: Member - Mfewster(SA) - Wednesday, Apr 14, 2010 at 08:22

Wednesday, Apr 14, 2010 at 08:22
Here's one on sale that doesn't work. You can buy sort of patches with sticky on the back and you place a piece on each side and they stick together through the holes in the flywire. We tried these and they fell off after a short while, so I'd look at the other suggestions given here.
AnswerID: 412857

Reply By: DIO - Wednesday, Apr 14, 2010 at 09:16

Wednesday, Apr 14, 2010 at 09:16
Sew, staple, or glue.
AnswerID: 412860

Reply By: cycadcenter - Wednesday, Apr 14, 2010 at 11:00

Wednesday, Apr 14, 2010 at 11:00
Have used some fishing line instead of cotton thread and then some Super Glue.

Bruce
AnswerID: 412874

Reply By: OREJAP - Wednesday, Apr 14, 2010 at 17:28

Wednesday, Apr 14, 2010 at 17:28
Thanks everyone for the replies.
AnswerID: 412916

Reply By: Member - Netnut (VIC) - Wednesday, Apr 14, 2010 at 20:23

Wednesday, Apr 14, 2010 at 20:23
Hello OreJap,
I've fixed small holes in fibreglass flyscreen by gluing pieces of spare screen cut to suit either over or in the holes, with my wife's fingernail polish. The polish also works well when you want to fix a simple slit in the flyscreen.
Cheers,
Netnut
AnswerID: 412940

Reply By: D200Dug- Wednesday, Apr 14, 2010 at 23:09

Wednesday, Apr 14, 2010 at 23:09
A thin bead of black silicon round the hole and glue a parch on.

Trim up the edges once it is dry.

It will never come unstuck !
AnswerID: 412957

Follow Up By: Spade Newsom - Thursday, Apr 15, 2010 at 23:59

Thursday, Apr 15, 2010 at 23:59
I did similar using silicon. Didn't look great but I had a whole rather than a tear. Very effective using silicon as opposed to say super glue that dries too rigid IMO.
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FollowupID: 683126

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