C a r I n G F O r Y O u r T e n T
aT h O M e
sTOraGe
Never pack or store your tent if it is wet/damp or dirty. Though we use the best
polyurethane waterproofing available, prolonged exposure to moisture causes
hydrolysis; the waterproof layer breaks down, becoming soft, sticky and no longer
waterproof. Storing a wet tent for as little as 24 hours in warm weather is also
likely to start the process of mildew forming on the fabric. Mildew will cause your
tent to stain, smell, and will lead to the premature breakdown of the waterproof
coating. Mildew and moisture damage are not covered under the Warranty.
Dry your tent thoroughly after every trip and store it outside of the stuff sack, the
same as you would a sleeping bag, in a dry area out of direct sunlight.
Care
sun & ultraviolet rays
UV light is one of the most damaging elements for your tent or shelter. Though
shelters are often used in the sun, extended and prolonged exposure will cause
fabric to fade, lose strength, and eventually tear. The effects occur more rapidly at
higher elevations. If possible, pitch your tent or shelter out of direct sunlight and
use your rainfly to help protect the more fragile mesh and uncoated nylon. UV
damage is not covered by the warranty.
seam sealing
Superior fabrics and construction make MSR
®
tents and shelters extremely
waterproof. The rainfly and floor are factory seam-taped, so seam sealing is not
necessary. If any problems develop, simply seam seal only the specific area using
McNett Seam Grip
®
(www.mcnett.com). Follow the instructions on the seam sealer
tube, and seam seal the inner, coated, shiny side of the fabric only.
Cleaning
A tent footprint is the most effective way to keep your tent clean (see “Using a
Footprint,”
pg. 4
). If your tent should require cleaning, set it up and use a sponge
with warm water. If further cleaning is needed, a garden hose should be able to
wash off any remaining dirt. Do not use detergent, soap, bleach, or have it dry
cleaned, as these may remove the waterproofing and/or damage the fabric. Al-
low the tent to air-dry completely before packing or storing.
Zippers
When sand and grit get in the zipper teeth, they can cause abrasion and damage
to the metal zipper sliders. If you use your shelter in these conditions, keep the zip-
per teeth clean by rinsing them out with water. The pressure from a regular garden
hose will push out small sand particles from inside the zipper coil. Handling your
zipper slider with care can also prolong the life of a zipper. Just like a zipper on
a duffle bag or piece of luggage, make sure to align the tracks before sliding the
zipper—and don’t exert excessive force. If fabric gets caught in the slider, stop
and slowly reverse the slider to remove.
animals
To prevent damage from animals chewing holes in the fabric, never store food or
cooking equipment in your tent.
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