Gear Repair

& Care Guide

For Gear,
Outerwear
& Footwear
Alpinist Conrad Anker sealing high altitude boot seams
with Seam Grip®. Basecamp, Karakorum, Himalayas
 TENTS
SEAM SEALING
Apply Seam Grip® to the inside of the
perimeter floor seam; this seam is
not taped at the factory. Draw seam
sealer across threads and under folds.
Mix Seam Grip with Cotol-240™ before
applying for 2 hour cure time. Allow
tent to dry overnight before using or
storing.
Use Seam Grip to seal areas that
regularly leak, such as stake-out points at
corners.
Seam Sure™ Water Based Seam Sealer is
the easiest formula to use on large family
or ‘cabin’ style tents. Apply Seam Sure as
you would Seam Grip. Once dry, Seam
Sure is nearly invisible.
To seal the seams on your flysheet, set it up
inside-out for easier application. Attach the
rainfly to the tent so all seams are taut. Before
re-packing the tent and to prevent tack-
ing, sprinkle talcum powder onto all cured
Seamgrip treated seams or repairs etc.
Tent Odour Tip
• To eliminate odours, mold and mildew from
tents without damaging the waterproof
coatings, dip the tent in MiraZyme™ enzyme-
based odour eliminator. MiraZyme will leave
the tent scent-free.
 McNett Gear Repair & Care Guide
SILICONE COATED FABRICS
If you have a tent made from silicone
coated fabric, seal seams and repair holes
with SilNet™. SilNet is the only sealer that
will bond to silicone treated fabric.
To work SilNet into tight spots, such as the
guy-out points on the tent wall, apply using
the included brush or an irrigation syringe
(included with some tents or available at
D. I. Y stores and chemist shops).
Tent Tips
)NSECTS
7IND
$IRECTION
• When it’s windy, mosquitoes will congregate on the lee side of objects to
avoid being blown away. So pitch your tent door into the wind. You’ll be
able to enter without bringing the swarm in with you.
&IG! &IG"

(IGH7IND (IGH7IND

• Attach guylines correctly to keep tent poles from breaking. If they’re too
high (as in fig. A) the tent wall can cave in during high winds and poles
can break at points 1 and 2. Attach them no higher than half way up the
tent wall (fig. B). That way the top of the tent can flex to absorb shocks
from the wind.
McNett Gear Repair & Care Guide 
 TENTS
TEAR & HOLE REPAIRS
Seam Grip® permanently repairs com-
mon pinholes and tears in the tent
floor. Apply just enough Seam Grip
to cover the hole and spread 6mm
beyond. Allow to dry level overnight.
For 2 hour cure time, mix Seam Grip
with Cotol-240™ before applying.
To use the tent immediately, cover
uncured Seam Grip with a McNett
Tenacious™ Patch. Use patch as a
backing before applying Seam Grip to
larger holes and tears. Remove patch
in a few days when the Seam Grip has
cured. The Field Repair Kit includes
both adhesive and patches.
Keep the bugs out! Tenacious Patches
or Tenacious Tape provide a quick, in-
field repair to torn mosquito netting
until a more permanent repair can
be made.
Seam Tape Tip
• After years of service, seam tape on
&EET
tents and outerwear can peel or
pucker and the seam will begin
to leak. If a small section has
peeled use Seam Grip to
re-attach it. If the tape
seems to be failing everywhere,
remove and discard it, then clean the
seams with McNett Seam Cleaner and re-seal
with Seam Grip or Seam Sure™.
 McNett Gear Repair & Care Guide
RE-COAT TENT FLOORS
Re-coat worn areas on your tent floor
with Tent Sure™ Tent Floor Sealant. Apply
to the coated side of the fabric (the
inside) using a large foam paintbrush. For
best results apply Tent Sure in a thin film,
using even, sweeping motions to avoid
puddles. A single thin coat works best.
Tent Pole & Stake Tips
• The right tent stakes make excellent pole splints for broken tent poles.
Wrap with Tenacious Tape to secure and to prevent damage to tent
fabric.
,OOP
TEN
O4IGH
0ULLT 4IE/FF
• The Trucker’s Hitch is one of the easiest methods to tension guy lines.
Set up as illustrated above. Create the loop by using an ‘overhand on
a bight’ or a slip knot. Tie off with a looped half hitch which is easy to
untie and adjust.
3NOW

2OCKS
• On snow or rocky ground set the stake “deadman” style. Tie into the
center of the stake then bury it horizontally in snow or under rocks. The
line and stake together should make a “T”. Be sure to bury the stake
60cm to 90cm deep or the stakes will melt out! When using rocks,
be sure to use enough to handle the strongest winds you expect to
encounter.
McNett Gear Repair & Care Guide 
 SLEEPING BAGS
DOWN BAGS
Don’t be afraid to wash your down bag!
Down needs to be cleaned to restore its
loft and warmth. Head to your local laun-
dry and use a large front loading washing
machine.
Step 1: Add ReviveX® Down Cleaner to
the empty washer.
Step 2: Close zips. Pull bag out of its compres-
sion sack directly into washer to minimize loft.
Bags with waterproof-breathable shells should
be turned inside-out. Use warm water and the
gentle cycle. Before drying, run an extra spin
cycle to remove excess water.
Step 3: Carefully move the wet sleeping bag
from the washer to the dryer. Note: the bag
will be very water logged and the down
plumes will be clumped together – this is
normal! The loft will be restored in the dryer.
Step 4: Dry bag in a large commercial dryer on
the permanent press (medium) heat setting.
High heat or small home dryers can melt syn-
thetic fabrics. Clean tennis balls may be added
to break up down clumps.
Check progress periodically. Feel the insula-
tion—if there are clumps, the down plumes
are still wet. Be patient, it’s essential that the
down is dried thoroughly. When completely
dry, bring your sleeping bag home, unzip and
allow to air overnight.
 McNett Gear Repair & Care Guide
SYNTHETIC BAGS
Synthetic insulated sleeping bags
can be cleaned in much the same
way as a down bag. Wash by hand
or in a front loading commercial
washer using ReviveX® Synthetic
Fabric Cleaner. Dry the bag unzipped
on a clothesline.
RESTORE WATER REPELLENCY
To make your sleeping bag water repel-
lent: Step 1: Wet outer shell with water in
a spray bottle or in your shower. Step 2:
Spray shell with ReviveX Spray-On Water
Repellent. Apply liberally to foot area. Step
3: Dry in a large commercial dryer.
Sleeping Bag Tips
Down Sleeping Bag
Before Washing
Down Sleeping Bag
After Washing
• Washing a down sleeping bag usually restores its loft (thickness). The
effect is often dramatic. Don’t be afraid to wash your down gear!
• Down sleeping bags should be washed when dirt and grime begin to
interfere with loft. On average this will happen after 20 to 30 nights of
use. This is also a good rule for synthetic sleeping bags. In general: if it’s
dirty, losing loft or smells – wash it!
• At home, store sleeping bags open or loosely stuffed into a large cloth or
mesh storage bag. Don’t store sleeping bags in compression sacks, you’ll
compress the insulation.
• Home dryers aren’t big enough to let sleeping bags tumble freely. The bag
needs to be lifted and then free-fall to dry properly. Because they trap the
bag in a fixed position, home dryers can also melt the outer fabric. Use a
commercial dryer.
McNett Gear Repair & Care Guide 
 SLEEPING MATS
INFLATABLE MATTRESS REPAIRS More Tips

Home Repair: Clean and dry area to be

repaired. Apply Seam Grip® to cover the
hole and spread 6mm beyond. Allow to
dry level overnight.

• If your butane stove is struggling in cold weather, set it in a pot lid and
add 20mm of cool water. The stove will roar to full power (the fuel is now
Field Repair: To speed the cure time, mix a at least 0˚ C). Do not use hot water in the lid.
few drops of water into Seam Grip before
applying to the hole. Seam Grip cures faster
when it’s wet (use patch backing for mixing).
Apply mixture and allow to cure level for 30 „
minutes (It will probably be fully cured in 2
hours). Note: Mixing Seam Grip with water will
make repair cloudy. For a clear repair, mix with
Cotol-240™.
3LICING3TROKE

To use the repaired mattress at once, center • To Sharpen a Knife: Slide the knife across the sharpening stone as though
Tenacious™ Patch and apply over uncured you are trying to cut a thin slice off the stone. Hold the blade at roughly
Seam Grip. The patch must extend at least a 20 degree angle and draw it steadily. Be sure to count the number of
6mm beyond the Seam Grip. Press patch strokes and do the same number of strokes on the opposite side.
firmly onto mattress. Your inflatable mattress
is ready for use!
Allow the patch to remain for 3 to 4 days, then
remove. The Seam Grip will have permanently
sealed the hole underneath.

Seam Grip seals small holes and leaks in the
nozzle area. Seal with Seam Grip and stand
upright overnight.
• Replace a broken or lost trekking pole basket with the lid from an insu-
lated mug.
• Duct tape is a disaster! It’s ugly and when removed leaves a permanent
sticky mess on expensive tents, packs and other gear. There’s no way to
remove the sticky residue without damaging the fabric. Use Tenacious
Tape and Tenacious Patches instead. They’re super strong, are available in
clear (so you don’t have to match colours) and they always peel off clean!

• Always round the corners of your patch or use a circular patch. Patches
with curved edges are less likely to come off accidentally.

 McNett Gear Repair & Care Guide McNett Gear Repair & Care Guide 
 OUTERWEAR
RAINWEAR & SOFTSHELLS
Don’t wash your high tech jacket in
household detergents designed for
your jeans! Household detergents leave
residues that damage water repellent
finishes (DWR). Wash all outerwear at
least once per season with ReviveX
Synthetic Fabric Cleaner. Step 1: Add
Synthetic Fabric Cleaner to washer.
Step 2: Close all zips and Velcro® tabs. Wash
garments using the delicate cycle and warm
water. Whenever possible use a front loading,
instead of a top loading, washing machine.
Alternate Step 2: If desired, hand wash gar-
ments in a sink or bath. Fill with just enough
water to cover the garments and add cleaner.
Gently knead all areas to remove dirt and
stains. Rinse thoroughly until water runs clear.
Step 3: Now is a good time to apply
a fresh water repellent treatment.
Place wet garment on a hanger. Spray
ReviveX Spray-On Water Repellent
on the garment exterior. Concentrate
spray heaviest on high wear areas
such as the shoulders, zip flaps and
cuffs.
Step 4: Dry using heat setting recommended
by garment care label (medium heat if possi-
ble). To restore rainwear and softshells to their
original water repellency, dry garments for at
least 60 minutes.
10 McNett Gear Repair & Care Guide
DOWN GARMENTS
Don’t be afraid to wash down
jackets and sleeping bags! Clean with
ReviveX® Down Cleaner to restore loft
and warmth. Jackets, vests and smaller
down items can be easily hand washed
at home. Step 1: Prior to washing, apply
cleaner directly to heavily soiled areas.
Step 2: Fill sink or bath with just enough
warm water to submerge item; add cleaner.
Compress item to remove air and place in
water.
Step 3: Rinse item repeatedly until water
runs clear (at least 3 times). Gently compress
or roll item (do not wring) to expel water.
Place item in washing machine for 2 spin
cycles to remove excess water before dry-
ing.
Step 4: Before drying, apply ReviveX
Spray-On Water Repellent to the outer
shell fabric. Apply liberally to shoulders,
cuffs and zip areas. Dry garment by itself
in a large dryer (it needs room to tumble
freely). Use heat setting recommended
by garment care label (medium heat if
possible).
McNett Gear Repair & Care Guide 11
 OUTERWEAR
WOOL GARMENTS
Wool sweaters and technical wool out-
erwear should be washed whenever
stained and at least once per season. High
performance wool pants, shirts, socks and
underwear should be washed after each
use. Wash with ReviveX® Wool Cleaner.
Most new technical wool garments are pre-
shrunk and made to be machine washed and
dried. Check garment label. To hand wash: Fill
sink or bath with enough water to submerge
items and add cleaner; soak for 5 minutes.
Gently knead items to remove dirt and stains.
Drain sink and carefully squeeze soapy water
out. Rinse until water runs clear. Place item
on a clean bath towel. Roll up gently to expel
water. Repeat with dry towels.
Air dry flat on a fresh towel.
12 McNett Gear Repair & Care Guide
SEAM TAPE & OTHER REPAIRS
Peeling seam tape can be repaired with Seam
Grip®. Simply apply adhesive under area to be
repaired, press or tape closed until cured.
Use GORE-TEX® Fabric Repair Patches to pro-
vide a long lasting fix to damaged rainwear.
Enhance patch durability with pressure and
heat—set iron to medium heat (if garment
care label allows) and press in a circular
motion.
To repair gaiter straps: Melt away stray threads
with a lighter. Then buff surface with a rag
dipped in rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol).
Allow to dry and buff again. Apply a wide
strip of clear tape to undamaged side, turn
over and apply Freesole to damaged side.
Remove tape after 45 min. Cure level over-
night.
Boot Comfort Tip
@3KIP,ACING
2ELIEVES
!$OUBLE
0RESSURE(ERE
7RAP(ERE
!LLOWSTHE
5PPER!REATO
BE4IGHTER
OR,OOSER4HAN
THE,OWER!REA
• Relieve pressure and give your boots a custom fit with these lacing
tricks. 1. Use “Skip Lacing” to take pressure off sensitive areas 2. Use
the “Double Wrap” to have different levels of tightness on upper and
lower sections of the boot.
McNett Gear Repair & Care Guide 13
 FOOTWEAR
WATER REPELLENCY
First remove dirt and trail hardened
grime with ReviveX® Boot Cleaner
and air dry. Stuffing shoes with
newspaper will absorb moisture and
help footwear to dry faster.
WATER REPELLENCY
To prepare footwear for the wettest, most
abrasive situations such as step kicking
in snow, ice climbing or mixed climb-
ing, use a heavy duty gel waterproofing
formula such as ReviveX® Leather Gel.
Apply gel to a clean cloth, then buff into
the leather.

Gel water repellent treatments will darken

Apply water repellent to clean dry leather, giving footwear a rich, traditional
footwear. Liberally treat the tops outdoor look. Do not use on nubuck or
and sides of the toe area, especially suede footwear, unless you like the darker
where the boot bends. colour.

Boot Waterproofing Tips Boot Waterproofing Tips

• Lightweight hiking boots are made with • Remove boot laces prior to cleaning and weatherproofing to ensure
nubuck, suede, nylon or Gore-Tex® fabric. that you don’t miss key spots—the tongue gusset is a common source
Weatherproofing: Use ReviveX Nubuck, of leaks.
Suede & Fabric Spray—it won’t darken or
smooth footwear and is ideal for Gore-Tex®
fabric and other waterproof breathable
footwear.
• Mid-weight hiking & backpacking boots, are
made with full-grain leather for added sup-
port and durability. Many feature Gore-Tex®
fabric for added comfort. Weatherproofing:
Use ReviveX Leather Spray—it’s formulated
for extreme conditions, and won’t alter the
appearance of full-grain leather.
• Extended backpacking & mountaineering
boots are made with the roughest terrain
and wettest conditions in mind. These boots
are made with full-grain leather and often
include Gore-Tex® fabric for maximum dry- • For maximum water repellency and to add abrasion resistance to stitch-
ness and breathability. Weatherproofing: Use ing, climbers and long distance backpackers often seal boot stitching
ReviveX Leather Gel—originally developed with Seam Grip. It can be applied with the included brush applicator
for mountain climbers, the most durable or, for maximum precision, with a syringe. Note: Seam Grip should be
boot waterproofing available. applied before other water repellent treatments are used.

14 McNett Gear Repair & Care Guide McNett Gear Repair & Care Guide 15
 FOOTWEAR
RE-BONDING SOLES
Use Freesole® to permanently re-bond
a peeling boot sole. First remove loose
dirt and debris and then clean the area
with rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol)
and a stiff brush. Apply Freesole to the
sole evenly. Tape, clamp or weight sole
firmly in place and dry overnight (see
pg. 17 for tip).
MAKING A TOE CAP
Climbers and hikers create tough toe caps with
Freesole to protect boots from sharp rocks and
crampons. Step 1: Start with a clean, dry boot.
Apply tape tightly across toe to create straight
edge. Lightly sand the toe area with sandpa-
per, then buff aggressively with a rag dipped
in rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol). Allow to
dry and buff again.
Step 2: Paint the surface with Freesole. Be
sure to cover all areas between the sole and
the tape. Freesole will self level and become
smooth.
Step 3: Wait 30-45 minutes, then peel off tape.
Do not leave tape on longer! Allow your new
toe cap to cure completely overnight.
16 McNett Gear Repair & Care Guide
More Boot Tips
3TEP 3TEP 3TEP 3TEP
   
• After bonding the sole with Freesole (step 1), use a filled water bottle
(step 2), C-clamp or tape to hold sole and upper tightly together overnight.
• Use Freesole to permanently re-bond
a peeling boot rand. First remove dirt,
then clean the bonding area with
Cotol-240™ (best) or rubbing alcohol
(isopropyl alcohol) and a stiff brush.
Apply Freesole in the gap. Tape or
clamp firmly in place and dry over-
night. When taping, insert a pen to
apply pressure directly on the rand.
• Freesole rebuilds heels. Sand
worn area then buff with rub-
bing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol)
soaked rag. Make plastic tape
“dam” as shown. Set sole level
and apply Freesole. Cures in
12-24 hrs.
• Eliminate strong sandal odours
by scrubbing the footbed in
a sink or bucket of MiraZyme
treated water. Allow to dry (the
MiraZyme microbes work as
the sandal dries) then put them
in the freezer overnight to elim-
inate any last traces of “funk”.
McNett Gear Repair & Care Guide 17
 FLY FISHING & PADDLESPORTS
WADERS
Wash your waders with ReviveX®
Synthetic Fabric Cleaner to
remove grime. To remove stub-
born odours, dip waders in
MiraZyme™ Enzyme-Based Odour
Eliminator. It works great with one
application.
Restore water repellency to
GORE-TEX® waders with ReviveX
Spray-On treatment. While waders
are damp, use a warm iron to activate
water repellent treatment—avoid
ironing neoprene booties or rubber
components.
For instant field repairs, apply
a patch over tear on outside of
wader. Apply Aquasure® to the
tear inside the wader and cover
with another patch. Waders can
be used immediately. Patches can
be removed in 2-3 days.
Fly Fishing Tips
• To find leaks in Gore-
Tex® waders, soak the tip
of a rag in rubbing alcohol (iso-
propyl alcohol) and dab over the
suspect area. The hole will show
up as a contrasting colour against the
rest of the wader. Allow area to dry and seal with Aquasure.
• The Aquasure Wader Repair Kit also repairs fishing nets. Use one patch to
create a backing and apply Aquasure to the other side. Dry 24 hours then
remove patch. The repair is strong, elastic and gentle on the fish.
18 McNett Gear Repair & Care Guide
BOATS & GEAR
To remove tough stains on kayaks,
inflatable boats and other paddle-
sports gear use McNett Boat Cleaner.
This environmentally friendly formula
effectively removes tar, mold and
other stubborn stains.
Treated
Every 30-45 days of sun exposure
treat surfaces of boats, PFD’s, spray
skirts, paddles, and dry suit gaskets
with UV Tech™ Surface Protectant &
Rejuvenator to prevent brittleness,
cracking and colour fading.
Untreated
UV Tech protects colours on PFDs,
paddles, spray skirts, dry bags etc! All
benefit from UV Tech.
Paddling Tips
• Kayak cockpits are notorious 1) Outside Rim 2) Top Stretch Point 3) Taped Seam
4) Inside Rim 5) Outside Edge Damage from Paddle
for cutting into spray skirts
and causing exterior crack- 
ing. Apply spot applications

of Aquasure to permanently
repair and protect both the 
interior and exterior.

• Put reflective tape or patches 5SE2EFLECTIVE
4APEIN
on the back of your PFD, helmet
4HESE!REAS
and paddle blades. You’ll be
safer in low light conditions.
McNett Gear Repair & Care Guide 19
 At McNett, we believe it’s important
to renew, reuse and recycle outdoor
gear and clothing, especially for the
purpose of introducing new people
to the outdoors. Young people in
particular need mentors willing to
show them there is a world beyond
the ‘virtual’ one.
Our products are ideal for breath-
ing new life into old gear. These
unique formulas will make water bead off old jackets and
boots, restore loft to down sleeping bags and permanently
seal leaky tents.
We encourage you to look through your cuboards and find
the ‘old friends’ who carried you through many adventures.
These jackets, sleeping bags and tents have a presence all of
their own and stories to tell new users. Restore these items,
and share them with the next generation.
– Your friends at McNett

High altitude climbers Ed Viesturs & Conrad Anker share a pas-

sion for the most rugged places on earth, and one recommen-
dation for getting the most from your gear—McNett.

Distributed by:

McNett Europe
P.O. Box 11 44  • D-29684 Schwarmstedt • Germany
www.mcnetteurope.com
Gear Repair & Care Guide - Item Code 99960. Cover Photo © Jimmy Chin 2005
Copyright 2007 McNett Corporation. The contents of this brochure may not be used or reproduced in
any way without the prior, written consent of McNett Corporation. All rights reserved.
GORE-TEX® is a trademark of W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc.