How to Fix My Fiberglass Tent Poles
Tent poles are commonly constructed from fiberglass, which is a strong, durable material. Although fiberglass is a strong material, it can break or fracture. There are replacement poles that you can purchase, but you can also repair the pole yourself using a little bit of fiberglass mat and resin. Fiberglass mat is a dry material that consists of tiny glass fibers that are bonded together. The fiberglass mat is saturated with resin that requires a catalyst to harden. This will bond to the tent pole and give a repair that will be stronger than the original fiberglass. All supplies needed for this can be found at your local marine-supply store.
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Things You'll Need
- Coarse-grit sandpaper
- Fiberglass mat
- Razor knife
- Rags
- Acetone
- 2-inch aluminum tape
- Fiberglass resin
- Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (hardener)
- Small bucket
- Stir stick
- Felt roller
- Air roller
Instructions
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1
Sand the damaged part of the pole using coarse-grit sandpaper. Smooth out any rough edges and scuff the entire surface of the pole from the damage to 6 inches past the damage.
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2
Cut the fiberglass mat into three 2-by-4 pieces using a razor knife.
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3
Clean the sanded parts of the tent pole using a rag and acetone to remove any dust or residue that may be on the pole.
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4
Using 2-inch aluminum tape, wrap the pole so it's in a straight line. This will be used to hold the pole in place when you are applying the fiberglass.
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5
Mix the fiberglass resin with the hardener as directed on the containers. Put the resin in a small bucket and use a stir stick to thoroughly mix in the hardener. When the resin is one solid color, it is ready for application.
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6
Wet the repair area with the resin mixture using a felt roller. Lay the first piece of mat on a piece of cardboard and saturate it with resin. Apply just enough resin for the mat to absorb it but not have a puddle on top of it. Apply the second and third layer of mat directly on top of the first following the same procedure. Apply the three layers of mat at the same time, wrapping them around the pole.
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7
Roll out all of the air bubbles in the mat using an air roller. Get the mat as tight around the pole as possible. Let the fiberglass cure until it is hard and cool to the touch.
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8
Sand any burs or hard fiberglass hairs smooth using coarse-grit sandpaper.
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