Waterproofing canvas tent camper

[Tom Dunlap]

Weather today is YUCH! Freezing slush. But soon enough summer camping weather will be here. before I take my Kamparoo out I have to sew in a new zipper for the door and waterproof the canvas.

FOr the past hour I've been in the you tube rabbit hole reading about canvas waterproofing. Lots of homebrew recipes. Since I have a large project I think I'm going to buy what I need.

What products or recipes have people used for canvas waterproofing?

 

[Dan Cobb]

I haven't tried it, but thought this looked interesting.

100% silicone caulk dissolved in naptha.

I may try it on some old work pants. Having a waterproof pair would be nice. I'm wondering how it will affect breathability. Less breathability might be a plus for cold weather.

 

[Reach]

Nikwax makes some good stuff. I don’t think I’ve ever used their canvas products, but I used to use other products from them with satisfactory results.

Beware though, canvas is a little unique in that it always “soaks through”, and yet the water runs off as long as nothing touches the wet canvas. Touch the canvas, you break the surface tension of the water, and you and everything in the tent get a shower.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Touch the canvas, you break the surface tension of the water,

The first tent my folks bought was an 8x8 canvas. We used that from when I was 18 months to about 6 years old. Then we got a pop up canvas top. Later, in boy scouts we had canvas tents. I was taught early not to touch canvas.

Some of the current recipes and store boughts have more solids in them so the touch issue is reduced

The smell of water proofed canvas sure brings back memories.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

how it will affect breathability.

Paint it on the front legs cuff to waist and the back cuffs to knees. Leave the back of the thighs to breath.

 

[SeanRuel]

I used silicone fabric waterproofing spray on a canvas gear bag working in Seattle. At least 1 Year of solid protection, even getting tossed into the chips

 

[Tuebor]

I have a canvas tent from Springbar and they recommend 303 Fabric Guard for restoring water repellency to their tents. Mine is only a couple of years old, so it's still keeping me dry and I haven't needed to treat it yet.

 

[oldoakman]

I haven't tried it, but thought this looked interesting.

100% silicone caulk dissolved in naptha.

I may try it on some old work pants. Having a waterproof pair would be nice. I'm wondering how it will affect breathability. Less breathability might be a plus for cold weather.

What cold weather??? We dont get any COLD weather here.

 

[flushcut]

Several years ago I used a Rustoleum(?) product called Neverwet on a pair of Carhart non insulated bibs. Kinda like making tin cloth. Worked great! I think I should reapply but after 8 years of spring and fall tree work I think it works well.

 

[flushcut]

This stuff