Cycling UK Forum

I've got a 2003 Terra Nova Voyager and would like to apply seam sealant. Does anyone know if the flysheet is nylon or silicon coated as they require different sealants.
I have contacted TN but due to current situation I'm not holding my breath for a response.

IIRC the flysheet is different if it's a Voyager or Superlight Voyager. I cannot remember if the Superlight existed in 2003.

hamster wrote:IIRC the flysheet is different if it's a Voyager or Superlight Voyager. I cannot remember if the Superlight existed in 2003.

I've read the website and I think the Superlight does have a silicon coated fly. I don't think they were available in 2003.
If i had to guess i would say mine wasn't silicon coated but wanted to make sure before applying something that might ruin the fly.

My vanilla-flavour Voyager from 2015 has a nylon one.

Were the flysheet seams originally taped? If so it won't be silicon. If not then it probably is.

hamster wrote:My vanilla-flavour Voyager from 2015 has a nylon one.

Thanks, btw why is it vanilla? Do they do an off white version, I've only seen green?

PH wrote:Were the flysheet seams originally taped? If so it won't be silicon. If not then it probably is.

Yes there is a tape on the seams. This has started to come away in places.

whoof wrote:

hamster wrote:My vanilla-flavour Voyager from 2015 has a nylon one.

Thanks, btw why is it vanilla? Do they do an off white version, I've only seen green?

No I just meant the ordinary one, not superlight!

whoof wrote:

PH wrote:Were the flysheet seams originally taped? If so it won't be silicon. If not then it probably is.

Yes there is a tape on the seams. This has started to come away in places.

My original Voyager (Mk1 from 1993) had the tape fall off - the problem was that the proofing was also failing. It went sticky. I bought new tape and ironed it back on, but it was clearly a warning that the thing was on the way out. A good spray with Fabsil kept it going a few more years.

whoof wrote:

PH wrote:Were the flysheet seams originally taped? If so it won't be silicon. If not then it probably is.

Yes there is a tape on the seams. This has started to come away in places.

OK, you can't tape silicon, so that eliminates it being that.

hamster wrote:

whoof wrote:

PH wrote:Were the flysheet seams originally taped? If so it won't be silicon. If not then it probably is.

Yes there is a tape on the seams. This has started to come away in places.

My original Voyager (Mk1 from 1993) had the tape fall off - the problem was that the proofing was also failing. It went sticky. I bought new tape and ironed it back on, but it was clearly a warning that the thing was on the way out. A good spray with Fabsil kept it going a few more years.

The fly was looking like a mat finish and when it first leaked i cleaned the fly and then treated it. The water then beaded and appeared ok. However last time i used it during some really heavy rain quite a few drips were coming in. They appeared to be in a specific place along the central line near the entrance. Putting a small piece of plastic sheet over this area stopped any ingress so the rest of the fly appears fine.

TN do a replacement fly albeit for £220 which is about what i paid for the whole tent.However they have changed the design and the arced pole at the entrance is now shorter than the two that run the length of the tent. The replacement fly only fits this design.
Edit
What iron on tape did you use as this could be easier that gluing?

Mine leaked in the same place - the water doesn't shed fast from that spot.
I've still got a reel of the tape - happy to post it! You iron it through newspaper or cloth to avoid melting the proofing.

Silicone/PU isn't either/or. Standard TN policy on the non-superlights for years has been silicone on the outside and PU on the inside (so they can seam tape it, plenty of others do this, e.g. MSR)

Pete.

pjclinch wrote:Silicone/PU isn't either/or. Standard TN policy on the non-superlights for years has been silicone on the outside and PU on the inside (so they can seam tape it, plenty of others do this, e.g. MSR)

Pete.

Bearing this in mind and you were going to seal the seams would you use Seam Grip or Silnet as I'm going to apply it on the under side?

Also I understand that you should not use Seam Grip on silicon flys but looking through my cupboard i have found some Silnet. Can this be used on the inside of a PU fly whether or not it's coated with silicon?

whoof wrote:

pjclinch wrote:Silicone/PU isn't either/or. Standard TN policy on the non-superlights for years has been silicone on the outside and PU on the inside (so they can seam tape it, plenty of others do this, e.g. MSR)

Bearing this in mind and you were going to seal the seams would you use Seam Grip or Silnet as I'm going to apply it on the under side?

Also I understand that you should not use Seam Grip on silicon flys but looking through my cupboard i have found some Silnet. Can this be used on the inside of a PU fly whether or not it's coated with silicon?

Main problem with silicone coated flys is stuff doesn't stick to it very much (e.g. seam tape, Vau De and Lightwave seem to have a process for it but most people use a PU coat instead 'cause it's easier and cheaper), so my guess is you wouldn't hurt the coat if it's the worng thing but it will fall off in fairly short order.

However, I'd be inclined to call up TN and ask them what they suggest.

Pete.