FREEDOM CAMPING RECOMMENDS FOR THE BEST PERFORMANCE AND LONGEVITY OF YOUR TENT ZIPS Selleys Ezy Glide Regular use of Ezy Glide is ESSENTIAL MAINTENANCE for ALL TENT ZIPS DESCRIPTION Ezy Glide is a dry, non-oily lubricant that provides a highly slippery coating to the surfaces it is sprayed on. Technical features: dry lubricant Dries clear Long-lasting Lubricant Will not attract dirt & dust Non-oily lubricant stops sticking & squeaking IMPORTANT NOTES FOR ERECTING AND USING TENTS · Make sure Door & Rear Window ZIPS ARE CLOSED before pegging tent · All Zips should be left open when packing tent away · Never store a tent when it is wet or moist · When closing door or window zips pull zipper outwards and close slowly KENYON REPAIR TAPE Freedom recommends Kenyon repair tape for repairing pvc floors and mesh screens on freedom tents. Kenyon tape is a clear tape that is hard to see and very hard wearing. The tape should be cut into a oval shape for repair. THE IMPORTANCE OF PRE-WEATHERING CANVAS TENTS When canvas tents are manufactured the sewing process forces thread (cotton) through two or more layers of canvas and leaves holes through the canvas where water can enter early in the tent's life. THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM OR A FAULT. The thread used in the sewing process is designed to swell after being soaked with rain and then dried by the sun. When the process is complete, the thread entirely fills the space eliminating water entry. IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT THERE ARE TWO PARTS TO THE PRE-WEATHERING PROCESS: PART ONE Freedom tents need to be soaked through with constant 'rain' (watering with a hose is insufficient). Eight or more hours is essential to the conditioning process of canvas and seams. Please take into consideration that Freedom Tents are made with quality canvas and in some cases it may take two or three initial soaking periods. MAIN AREAS THAT MAY EXPERIENCE LEAKAGES: 1. The centre top leather patch 2. The four corners of the square steel frame 3. Above the windows 4. The four-corner webbing points The wetting/weathering process is enhanced if the centre pole on touring tents is pulled down on the spring a little and the thread locked to reduce tension on the seams allowing quicker water entry. PART TWO Drying out in the sun. This important step swells the cotton thread and shrinks the canvas around it forming a watertight seal. This watertight seal will last the life of the tent. It is worth the effort to erect the tent in the back yard ahead of substantial rain to weather it prior to going camping to ensure a dry comfortable trip.