After a decade in the trade" is the real story for so many skilled jobs. You see it with plumbers, roofers, everyone. The body just keeps a tally of all the hard work. Good gear helps, but it's a reminder that the work takes a real toll over time.

Feel your pain, @jakem98. My first attempt was so dry you could have used it for a doorstop. The bark was like a charcoal brick and the inside had the texture of a kitchen sponge. I swear it squeaked when I cut it. We've all been there, man. It's a rite of passage.

Terrys38 mentioned tape failing when damp. I had the opposite happen. My rainfly got a small puncture, and I used that heavy duty duct tape with the gray fabric backing. That patch saw two full summers of coastal trips where everything stayed damp for days. The key was really cleaning the area with alcohol first and pressing it hard for a full minute. It never peeled.

What primer did you end up using? @dianamiller's right about it needing to bite in, but scuffing the surface with sandpaper first makes a huge difference too.

The "no exceptions" rule is smart after a hit like that. My meter always comes out of the truck now, even for slabs that feel bone dry. It's cheaper than a callback every single time.