How to Keep Nylon Webbing From Fraying

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Things You'll Need

  • Lighter

  • Electric soldering iron

  • Clear waterproof glue

  • Rag

  • Liquid soap

  • Scrub brush

Nylon webbing becomes less strong as it starts to fray.

Sports such as rock climbing, skydiving or scuba diving rely on nylon webbing for straps, harnesses and belts, and in these situations, frayed webbing can put your life in peril. For lower-risk tasks such as securing cargo or leashing a pet, you still want the webbing to be durable. Keep nylon webbing from fraying to increase safety and save money; clean it regularly to prevent deterioration.

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Prevention

Step 1

Burn the ends of the nylon straps with a lighter until they melt. Heat the ends on any freshly cut webbing or straps on which the manufacturer's cauterization shows signs of wear.

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Step 2

Coat the melted ends with a strong waterproof glue and allow it to dry.

Step 3

Heat a soldering iron and insert it in any holes that will be used to fasten one strap to another. Use a hot soldering iron to punch new holes in straps because it cauterizes the holes.

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Maintenance

Step 1

Clean your webbing routinely with clear water and a rag.

Step 2

Remove stains or embedded dirt with a mild dish soap and scrub brush. Rinse soap thoroughly from the nylon.

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Step 3

Air dry the harness completely before storing it.

Step 4

Store nylon webbing in a dry, enclosed place with moderate temperatures. Sunlight and other extreme weather conditions can degrade the webbing.

Tip

Avoid storing the webbing in sheds with paint, gasoline, bleach or other strong chemicals. The fumes can damage the nylon fibers over time.

Warning

Webbing used as a safety harness should be replaced when the seams fray. Don’t burn and glue degraded seams.

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