We have an REI Quarter Dome T3 tent that is about ten years old. This year the seam tape has started to flake, leaving white flaky residue all over the tent. The tape is disintegrating. This is especially prominent in the corners.

I need to re-seal the tent, and I'll use standard seam sealer. My question is this: is there a solvent that can help get the tape completely off so I can then seal the seams? Would a green scubber pad work to "sand" off the remaining tape before I seal the seams? Any other suggestions would be great.

Mike

One option is to replace the tent. Depending on the condition of it past the tape issue. If in doubt , you may have more than gotten the value out of a 10 year old tent and give it a job well done farewell. I will be interested in how to tape repair/replace as I have one nearing this thresh hold also.

Three years ago my tent did the same thing. I sat it up and sprayed every seam on the outside with flex-seal. Let it dry for 24 hours before I took it down. No leaks or problems since.

I would call the manufacturer and send it in for repair. You might end up with a new tent out of the deal.

The tape flaking off is a common occurrence. This usually starts to happen in older tents or tents that haven't been allowed to properly dry and mildew started to form.

The seam tape is polyurethane (PU) tape. It is usually applied at the factory under settings using just the right amount of heat for it to bond but not damage the tent. One idea, I suppose, if you want the tape, is to figure out the temperature that the tape bonds an figure out if you can achieve that with a heat gun. But that sounds like a pain.

The other option is to get some items from Gear Aid, formally called McNett. In fact, they have a whole page of directions on how to reseal your tent: How to Waterproof and Seam Seal
The basic premise is that first you need to get the seams clean using elbow grease and some solvent that dissolves any left over adhesive. Gear Aid sells a solvent but you might want to look at Simple Green or denatured alcohol. I do not know if those work, they might eat nylon.
After the seams are cleaned out as much as possible, you then apply a sealant. Depending on if your tent is nylon or silicone will determine what sealant you get.

Here are two other opinions/directions on resealing a tent. I have used the TarpTent directions to seal up my silicone tent and that was over five years ago and haven't any problems.
MSR: Seam Taping vs Seam Sealing
Tarp Tent: Seam Sealing

Hope that helps. I just went down this same rabbit hole because my buddy also has a 10 year old REI Quarter Dome T2 tent that is having the same issue and I went looking for information. He hasn't made the decision on what he wants to do.

I have used this on my tent rainflys. I use it every 2 years now after a trip where my fly leaked like crazy in a storm.

I have a tent with the same problem of the flaking seam tape on the inside. I be sure cover the seams with this spray (I cover the whole fly but focus more heavily on the seams) and so far its been great.

spray

Thanks, everyone, this information is very helpful! This forum is full of such knowledgeable and generous folks.

Not sure what I'm going to do. In addition to the interior tape issue, the tent also lost three of four little velcro loops that connect the tent (only marginally) to the frame. All three came off during this last trip. They are not integral to the integrity of the tent and I can probably live without them.

Mike

If it were my tent I think I wouldn't try to remove all the tape. I would try to give it a good coat or two of seam seal or maybe something "As seen on TV".

It's never going to get back to 100% and you should just plan to make it useable for a couple more seasons.

I have the same tent that's the same age, so I might be running into the same issue in the near future.

Maybe I can portage on over some evening we can take a look at it.

OldScout48: "If it were my tent I think I wouldn't try to remove all the tape. I would try to give it a good coat or two of seam seal or maybe something "As seen on TV".


It's never going to get back to 100% and you should just plan to make it useable for a couple more seasons.


I have the same tent that's the same age, so I might be running into the same issue in the near future.


Maybe I can portage on over some evening we can take a look at it."

Deal.

Mike

I have an REI Quarter Dome UL, 2 person, made a nice 4lb solo tent, of the same vintage. I had the same seam tape problem a couple of years ago, Google at that time told me that Iso Propyl Alcohol was a good solvent to use to clean up the flaking seam tape. I started in on it, it worked,( not easy) but I got bored quickly and bought a new tent.

I just had the same issue with my tent. Some folks recommended removing all the tape but it is way too tedious as it's all flaky and stuff. I opted to use McNett SEam Grip (for silicone) on the outside of the fly. Sure it looks a little bad (it does dry down clear) but the seams are sealed. I would imagine UV rays may have an effect but if I can squeak another few years out of it I'm ok with that, and I don't care about how it looks as long as it keeps me dry!

I had two of the velcro loops come off my Nemo rain fly on a trip. When it rained those two spots leaked like crazy because the water wicked in. Nemo replaced the entire tent for free.

Sounds to me like you have a great excuse to buy a new tent! I love looking over new tents and their designs. I wouldn’t try to reapply any kind of seam tape.

REI has a Big Agnes Stillwater tent of similar dimensions to your old tent on sale and I’m sure you could find many other deals as well.

Ten years isn’t bad if you have a decent amount of trips in that time. If you can’t spend the money on a new tent I would try cleaning off the flaking tape and try seam grip. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

I've owned Marmot, North Face, Sierra Designs, and other non "technical" tents like Colemans, and I can say that my REI Half Dome 4 plus 4-man tent is built as good as any I've had. I have thought about spending more on a Big Agnes or a few others, but REI's tents sold me. So many good features and not a drop of rain has ever crept in. Me and my 3 boys have tons of room in it and could sleep 5 in a pinch. Just in case you need some arm twisting to get a new one.

But, I hear you, I've been keeping my 15 year old 3 man Sierra Designs tents functional with the spray I mentioned before and have done something similar with a few 20+ year old Marmot tents (and had to change out their shock cords in the poles).