Tent water proofing

[captainhastings]

Hi just picked up a Eurohike two man tent off freecycle apparently it needs water proofing what would you recommend for that ?

 

[peelywally]

i use nikwax for my lightweight jkt its pretty good stuff , rain just forms into droplets on it and run off im sure its the tent stuff im using

 

[captainhastings]

Thank you apparently they stock Nikwaxin my local millets

 

[Brommyboy]

I have never had the need to reproof a tent! Do not use detergent to wash it - only cold water and solid hand soap to remove any bad marks. I find that the fabric suffers from UV degradation long before it loses its waterproofing!

 

[bedrock]

Hi just picked up a Eurohike two man tent off freecycle apparently it needs water proofing what would you recommend for that ?

Who says it needs waterproofing? Generally speaking, if the flysheet and inner-tent don't touch then you should be okay. Cotton tents aren't "waterproof" but adding "water-proofing" might repel some water and make them quicker to dry. I guess the same might be true for other materials.

 

[rowan 46]

If the waterproofing on a polyester tent has gone it's no good

 

[Angelfishsolo]

[QUOTE 1503633"]
Nikwax or Grangers are probably your best bet.

Try this
[/quote]

 

[Hicky]

Why does it need waterproofing?

If its a flysheet ie two skins should need anything.

I've got a canvas tent doesnt leak and hasnt for the past three years......the 27year old canvas tent it replaced did leak eventually, then I waterproofed it with thompsons waterseal!
Then the frame gave-in hence new tent.

I've used Nikwax/grangers on a pertex/pile top...only lasts a few showers.

 

[rowan 46]

If the waterproofing on a polyester tent has gone it's no good

I need to qualify this statement to make it clearer, polyester and nylon are not inherently waterproof the weave is filled in with a coating put on the rear of the material during the manufacturing process if this has degraded a substantial amount reproofing materials will not work very well. the reproofing materials work on the outside of the tent improving water repellancy this will stop beading but does not sustantially increase waterproofness. If "reproofing" nylon or polyester you will need to wash in nikwax techwash first make sure the washing machine is absolutely clear of detergent first (check the filler draw) then either brush on grangers fabsil or if using a wash in water based like nikwax tx put it in the machine water based ones need to be heat activated so its better if you have a washer dryer.
However if the water is streaming in then the original proofing has failed and reproofing agents will not work