Find out your camper canvas fabric type by referring to your owner's manual or by contacting the manufacturer. The method of fixing your canvas not only depends on the size of the damaged area, but also on the type of canvas fabric and the coating used on it. Camper canvas fabrics come in a wide variety of natural and synthetic weaves of materials such as cotton, polyester and acrylic. Coatings can include vinyl and laminates.
Measure your damaged canvas area and then purchase a camper canvas repair kit that uses repair tape like TEARepair TEAR-AID or Val-A Tear Mender adhesive to fix your cotton, polyester or acrylic camper canvas. Camper canvas repair kits use a flexible, quick-setting, waterproof, acid free, UV-resistant patching adhesive to create long-lasting bonds between the original fabric and a patch. Keep in mind that any kit that does not come with clear, self-adhesive non-fabric patches like TEAR-AID should include durable, UV-resistant, color matched patch canvas fabric and that any patching material should be large enough to cover your damaged areas with a 1 inch overlap.
Prep the damaged areas by cutting away any lose thread, clean the damaged area with alcohol pads and dry. Cut your patch tape or fabric patch to a size 1 inch larger than the damaged area, trim the corners to form a rounded rectangle and then repeat to make a second patch.
Peel back the paper liner of a TEARepair TEAR-AID patch by 1/2 inch at one end and stick the adhesive side of the exposed edge to the fabric material 1 inch above the damaged area on the outside of your camper.
Pull the remaining paper liner away from the patch and slowly apply the patch to avoid trapping any air beneath and bubbling the patch material. After applying the patch, firmly rub back over the patched surface to guarantee a complete seal. Repeat the process on the inside of the camper with the second patch.
Apply a thin, 1 inch wide layer of VAL-A Tear Mender or similar adhesive, if using a fabric patch, to one edge of your patch. Apply the patch immediately above the damaged area with the 1 inch overlap and wait at least three minutes for the adhesive to bond.
Apply the remaining adhesive to the other four edges and place the patch. Repeat the process on the inside of the camper with your second patch and wait 30 minutes for the adhesive to set before exposing to natural elements.
