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Outdoor Equipment and Clothing Repair |
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Please e-mail us or give the shop a call at (888) Rip-Stop if you have any questions about your gear that aren't answered here. Chances are if we can't help you, we know someone who can. I've got a cigarette burn! Can it be fixed? I've got a hole in my waders. Can I patch it myself? Do you sell field repair kits? How do I get stains out of my Gore-Tex®? The nylon on my tent's floor needs to be recoated. Can you do that? Do you seamseal tents or flies? Can you alter my Gore-Tex® coat? Can you make a custom-fit coat for me? Is duct tape hip? Everywhere I look, I see silver.... How should I clean my down items? How do I wash my synthetic insulated items? We all enjoy a cold beer after a day of fun, but let's face it, the bar is no place for your gear! Mistakes do happen though. Luckily, any hole can be patched. We can permanently sew a patch to the outside layer of the item. In the case of waterproof breathable garments, all stitching is seam taped to maintain the waterproof integrity of the fabric. The minimum size patch is about 2 inches. Patches smaller than this rarely look appropriate.
I tore my new Gore-Tex® coat but don't want a patch. There isn't a magic wand for repairing outdoor fabric. In some cases we can do an "invisible" patch. If the damage is small enough we can repair the fabric by applying seam tape to the under side, joining the edges together. This can only be done to very short, clean cuts like those made with a sharp knife. Even so, the white tape material can show through. For larger damage on newer garments we recommend design patches. We can add a stripe, pocket, emblem or some other feature to a garment to blend the repair into the design. This is a very effective way to repair and camouflage unsightly holes.
Can you add a window to my tent and a pocket to my pack? We can add almost any feature to an item that you wish. New doors in a tent, powder skirts to packs, underarm zippers to coats, etc. Let us know what features you need, and we can add them to your item. Please keep in mind, we do not build custom garments or gear.
I've got a hole in my waders. Can I patch it myself? Absolutely. We recommend the Gore-Tex® patch kits for most any hole repair. This kit contains swatches of nylon fabric backed with a very strong adhesive. It will stick to almost any clean surface and last longer than any other adhesive patch material we have seen. If you plan to have a professional patch done at a later time, use only the smallest amount of patch material that will cover the damage. Duct tape and adhesive patches leave a residue behind when they are removed that must be covered with the new patch. If you would like to sew on a patch or have other "do it yourself" repairs, call us, we would be happy to guide you.
Do you sell field repair kits? Yes we do. We are also happy to help you anyway we can if you have questions regarding home repairs. Call us for more information about the repair and care items we sell.
How do I get stains out of my Gore-Tex®? How did you get them in there? We really want to know. It is very helpful to know what the stain is when attempting to remove it. We use a variety of products depending on the type of stain. Citrus based stain removers work well on chewing gum and greasy stains. Many commercial products found in your supermarket work very well. There is very little you can do to damage the Gore-Tex® layer of your garment however, care should be used not to damage the shell fabric. Always test a spot remover on a small area first and do not use bleach products. Choose the right stain remover and follow the directions before you launder the item. Attempts to remove a stain with the wrong remover will set the stain in further. After any attempt to remove a stain, retreat the garment with a water repellency treatment. Feel free to call us if you need any help. We do not sell any parts or fabrics. We can however direct you to companies that specialize in the sale of outdoor fabrics and findings. They can even supply you with patterns to make your own items. Check out our Partners page for more information.
The nylon on my tent's floor needs to be recoated. Can you do that? The waterproof coatings on nylon fabrics will come loose with age. The aging process is often accelerated by detergents, improper storage and other factors. Unfortunately there is little that can be done. We do not recoat fabrics because we have not found any product that works effectively. There are many companies that sell recoating products, if you find one that works well, please let us know. We would love to here about it. Remember, there's always the option to have your tent's floor replaced. We can rebuild, repair or replace Easton aluminum tent poles. If you are trying to replace a lost set it is often best to go directly to the manufacturer. If that is not possible, there are a few options for you. TA Enterprises can build custom pole sets for you. Sunshine Sports is a great resource for fiberglass and large diameter aluminum poles. Check out our Partners page for contact information. We do not do shoe repairs. For hiking, climbing and trail shoes we recommend Dave Page, Cobbler. His shop has been specializing in outdoor footwear for over 25 years and offers the most up to date equipment and techniques for all outdoor footwear. They can even rebuild your Birkenstocks. Check out our Partners page for more information.
Do you seamseal tents or flies? We can apply a permanent seam tape to your tent seams if they have not been seam sealed with a liquid seam sealer. If you have seam sealed your tent we can not apply seam tape or re-apply sealant. We recommend Seam Grip for sealing and re-sealing tent seams. One application of this product will last the lifetime of your tent. See our catalog page for more information.
Can you alter my Gore-Tex® coat? We offer the best solutions for ill fitting outdoor garments and gear. All our alterations are done with a factory finish. We do not take short cuts altering technical garments. In most cases you will not be able to tell the garment was altered. A Gore-Tex® garment we alter for you will still maintain the manufacturer's original warranty. We can shorten sleeves and pant legs, even above articulated joints. Gussets can be added for more freedom of movement. If a garment is too short we can lengthen it. We can do almost any alteration you need.
Can you make a custom-fit coat for me? Although we are happy to fit, alter or modify any item, we do not make custom items from scratch. Check out our Partners page for companies that produce custom garments and packs.
Is duct tape hip? Everywhere I look, I see silver.... Some people have yet to discover Rainy Pass Repair, Inc. We can apply patches to your outdoor gear that are cosmetically neat, clean and permanent. Zippers are replaced with a "factory finished" look and function. We can even clean your items for you to maintain the original appearance and performance. If grunge is your fashion, we would be glad to recommend a good hardware store. It's not likely. The repellency treatment on the outer nylon can be diminished by dirt and regular use. A heavy rain will then soak the outer layer and cool the fabric. Condensation occurs on the inside of the garment and because both sides of the garment are wet, it appears to be leaking. Fortunately, this problem can be solved. To revitalize water repellency of the outer shell and prevent soaking, launder the garment in warm water, gentle cycle with 1/4 cup powder detergent, and tumble dry. The garment should also be treated with a water repellency treatment. Rainy Pass Repair is a certified NikwaxTM water repellency treatment provider. Regular maintenance of this type will add years of life, and end the illusion and feeling of leakage. (Remember to always read and follow the care label on your item!)
How should I clean my down items? Down products are quite fragile. When it becomes necessary to clean a down filled item, great care must be exercised. Wet down puts substantial stress on its shell, and can rip baffles and stitching. When dried improperly, down becomes uneven, clumpy, and the subsequent loss of loft renders the item ineffective. Dry cleaning may decrease an item's loft, and may damage down. Rainy Pass Repair, Inc. does not recommend the bath tub washing method because the soap is rarely rinsed out completely which is detrimental to the insulating value of the down. Small items can be washed at home using a small amount of powder detergent and a gentle cycle. Wash items individually and tumble dry with 6 to 12 tennis balls using no heat. Rainy Pass Repair, Inc.'s professional laundry services for down products can restore the product to its original loft and warmth. Rainy Pass Repair, Inc. can also refill your down in the case of loss.
How do I wash my synthetic insulated items? For small synthetic insulated products, close all zippers and wash with 1/4 cup powdered detergent in warm water on a gentle cycle. Hang dry or tumble dry on low (less than 125 degreees ). Large items such as sleeping bags and comforters need to be professionally cleaned. Caution: frequent washing of synthetics can reduce their insulating value. |
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Repair Facility:
4415 Stone Way North, Seattle, WA 98103 (888) RIP STOP (206) 523-8135 © Rainy Pass Repair, Inc. |
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