Waterproof old tent?

[Winston001]

I have a high quality Fairydown tent but its small and too good for rallies. I also have an old nylon dome tent which is excellent - but leaks.

Anyone got any suggestions for waterproofing a nylon tent? Silicon wears off, there are products for canvas, but nylon...??

[Hitcher]

Turn it inside out. That will confuse it, as tents aren't used to having water on the inside that wants to get out.

[Highlander]

Going back about fifty million years to my childhood, my Mum had a "Rally Cook Book" in there is a recipe for making up a waterproofing solution, that is apparently quite effective.

I think you can still get "Rally Cook Books" from Christian bookshops, don't know where else you might be able to find one though.


The Steamed Coffee Caramel is a recipe worth trying too, just double the sauce recipe or it is a bit dry.

[xgnr]

Hi Winston

Time to bin it methinks

You can buy a cheapo that does the job nows for less than any "treatment" that I could think of.

Good luck !

[Winston001]

Yes the cost of buying waterproofing solutions - and there isn't much available - is 1/4 - 1/2 that of a cheap tent. I have found a recipe on the net which might be worth trying:

http://jwbasecamp.com/Articles/Silnylon1/index.html#Description

Essentially the idea is to get a tube of silicon sealant and mix the contents in a ratio 1:3 with mineral/white spirits. Paint the mix on. Its a cheap method but think I'd be wise to see if the spirits dissolve the tent fabric first. :D

And here is another one just if anyone is interested:

Saturate a tent in a solution of sulphate of zinc, sal-soda, and tartaric acid and it will withstand both light moisture and heavy rain.
Dissolve 4 oz. sulphate of zinc in 10 gal. water; add 1/2 lb. sal-soda; stir well until dissolved, and add 1/2 oz. tartaric acid. Put the tent cover in this solution and let lie 24 hrs. Take out (do not wring it) and hang up to dry.--Grinnell's Hand Book on Painting.

[xgnr]

Yes the cost of buying waterproofing solutions - and there isn't much available - is 1/4 - 1/2 that of a cheap tent. I have found a recipe on the net which might be worth trying:

http://jwbasecamp.com/Articles/Silnylon1/index.html#Description

Essentially the idea is to get a tube of silicon sealant and mix the contents in a ratio 1:3 with mineral/white spirits. Paint the mix on. Its a cheap method but think I'd be wise to see if the spirits dissolve the tent fabric first. :D

And here is another one just if anyone is interested:

Saturate a tent in a solution of sulphate of zinc, sal-soda, and tartaric acid and it will withstand both light moisture and heavy rain.
Dissolve 4 oz. sulphate of zinc in 10 gal. water; add 1/2 lb. sal-soda; stir well until dissolved, and add 1/2 oz. tartaric acid. Put the tent cover in this solution and let lie 24 hrs. Take out (do not wring it) and hang up to dry.--Grinnell's Hand Book on Painting.
holy shit how do you dispose of the saturate without destroying the local environment?

[Winston001]

Aw mate, what's a bit of zinc sulphate down the drain eh?? :eek:



Those chemicals are common enough in your laundry/shower/toilet so I don't think it would be an environmental problem. :niceone:

[JMemonic]

Just say bugger it and use the fairydown one.

None the less possibly some useful info, my uncle tells a story of an American tourist who use something like the silicon/white spirits thing and in a serious rain storm that flooded out the camp she was essentially under water but none entered the tent.

[NighthawkNZ]

I have a high quality Fairydown tent but its small and too good for rallies. I also have an old nylon dome tent which is excellent - but leaks.

Anyone got any suggestions for waterproofing a nylon tent? Silicon wears off, there are products for canvas, but nylon...??

Get some tube of Seem Seal... apply to both sides of the seems and any thin area of tent where it leaks. Then get a can of ScotchGard... spray tent... costs maybe $25

Other option is have a look at CoverMarq (http://yellow.co.nz/search/Dunedin/covermarq-1.html) (or similar) see how much for a them to repair or make a new fly... My work mate had them do one last year... it really depends on how cheap the dome tent is

if that don't work... then probably not worth it and simply buy a new tent

[Grant`]

Just get a tarp and put it over the top.

[miSTa]

I have a high quality Fairydown tent but its small and too good for rallies. I also have an old nylon dome tent which is excellent - but leaks.

Anyone got any suggestions for waterproofing a nylon tent? Silicon wears off, there are products for canvas, but nylon...??
The Fairydown is too good for rallies, wtf? Rallies attract the finest of people, so why not have the finest equipment?

[Winston001]

The Fairydown is too good for rallies, wtf? Rallies attract the finest of people, so why not have the finest equipment?

Mmmmm.....wouldn't want to cast nasturtiums, its not the attendees who worry me, its the soot and ashes on the tent afterwards, not to mention the risk of somebody stumbling around in the dark and putting a clodhopper on the high-tech poles....not that you would ever do that.... :hug:

[BMWST?]

most camping/outdoorsy places have stuff to waterproof fabrics....dont just throw away a good tent!

[warewolf]

Turn it inside out. That will confuse it, as tents aren't used to having water on the inside that wants to get out.Err, condensation?

[FJRider]

I have a high quality Fairydown tent but its small and too good for rallies. I also have an old nylon dome tent which is excellent - but leaks.

Anyone got any suggestions for waterproofing a nylon tent? Silicon wears off, there are products for canvas, but nylon...??

Spray on stuff is available from most sports shops. But I would ask the same sports shops to source a replacement tent fly. For your model tent, or one of similar size.

[cs363]

This stuff here: http://www.atsko.com/products/waterproofing/water-guard-extreme.html is the business! Works really well, they also do this: http://www.atsko.com/products/waterproofing/welt-seal.html if the seams are really leaky.
All good stuff from the same company that makes Sno Seal.
FJRider's comment about getting a new fly probably isn't a bad idea either.