We recently purchased have a 2007 Conway cruiser folding camper, and was wondering if we should have it re waterproof?
Can anyone recommend a company in the northwest who can do this? Or can you do it yourself? Which products do you use?
Thanks
The natural fibres on the canvas swell when wet to waterproof the canvas ,If you have the canvas reproofed the fibres cannot swell and you are relying on the reproofing to provide the seal. Basically you would have to keep reproofing every season. Best thing to do is give the canvas a good soaking to see if leaks.The usual cause of leaking is something rubbing against the canvas.
We had a 1999 cruiser never leaked in some shocking weather and storms .
If its not broke do not fix it
Hope this helps GCB
Agree. Never water proof any cotton canvas unless you absolutely have to, and never, under any circumstances, do it as a preventative measure. For the reasons GCB has already mentioned.
If it ever does leak, try wetting and drying a few times (called weathering) to allow the fibres chance to fully swell again, and re fill the holes.
------------- The one good thing about being wrong is the joy it brings to others..
Just a couple of points on the above. Canvas manufactures recommend proofing every 5 years or so,to protect the canvas from uv,important for use in sunnier climes than ours. The whole thing about redoing it every year is a myth.
Secondly,there are many horror stories about tents being sent for cleaning and proofing,and it really is an easy job,the awkward bits can be done from inside.
So,basically,don't do it,and if you must ,do it yourself!
------------- Silence is golden
Duct tape is silver
Quote: Originally posted by Miserly on 21/2/2016 Just a couple of points on the above. Canvas manufactures recommend proofing every 5 years or so,to protect the canvas from uv,important for use in sunnier climes than ours. The whole thing about redoing it every year is a myth. Secondly,there are many horror stories about tents being sent for cleaning and proofing,and it really is an easy job,the awkward bits can be done from inside.
So,basically,don't do it,and if you must ,do it yourself!
Some do recommend it, and would agree it's particularly relevant in sunnier climes. To be honest, though, because the vast majority of campers are folded up for most of the time, the harmful UV can't get anywhere near them, then, so that's not an issue for most of us.
It's not a myth, at all, to say they will need to be renewed every year, BUT that does depend on the state of the canvas when it was proofed, so it CAN be true, and, for others, it wont be. If you treat a canvas that has been allowed to dry out fully, the fibres will be at their smallest, and, therefore, the holes at their largest. I know a number of people who have treated it in this state and it has continued to flood in, because the proofing fluid has 'locked' the holes open.
If it is treated after a good weathering, then the fluid locks the holes closed, and then, I would, definitely, agree with you on that one Miserly. No need to re oroof for a number of years. Somewhere between the two (which is most common) the holes will be partially open. If this is the case, the fluid will seal them, but it doesn't take long for the movement of the canvas, the elements etc to break it down, and, hence, the commonly held belief that it needs re doing regularly.
As I say; all depends on the situation when it's applied.
------------- The one good thing about being wrong is the joy it brings to others..
Quote: Originally posted by Blue Sky Pennine on 21/2/2016
Quote: Originally posted by Miserly on 21/2/2016 Just a couple of points on the above. Canvas manufactures recommend proofing every 5 years or so,to protect the canvas from uv,important for use in sunnier climes than ours. The whole thing about redoing it every year is a myth. Secondly,there are many horror stories about tents being sent for cleaning and proofing,and it really is an easy job,the awkward bits can be done from inside. So,basically,don't do it,and if you must ,do it yourself!
Some do recommend it, and would agree it's particularly relevant in sunnier climes. To be honest, though, because the vast majority of campers are folded up for most of the time, the harmful UV can't get anywhere near them, then, so that's not an issue for most of us.
It's not a myth, at all, to say they will need to be renewed every year, BUT that does depend on the state of the canvas when it was proofed, so it CAN be true, and, for others, it wont be. If you treat a canvas that has been allowed to dry out fully, the fibres will be at their smallest, and, therefore, the holes at their largest. I know a number of people who have treated it in this state and it has continued to flood in, because the proofing fluid has 'locked' the holes open.
If it is treated after a good weathering, then the fluid locks the holes closed, and then, I would, definitely, agree with you on that one Miserly. No need to re oroof for a number of years. Somewhere between the two (which is most common) the holes will be partially open. If this is the case, the fluid will seal them, but it doesn't take long for the movement of the canvas, the elements etc to break it down, and, hence, the commonly held belief that it needs re doing regularly.
As I say; all depends on the situation when it's applied.
Check to see if it leaks when wet. We have a 30 year old TT which is still water tight. Don't use a proving solution unless you really need to. As other posters have said once you start you will have to keep reproofing
Our Conway is a 1997 and has never been reproofed and is still watertight as we found out during a heavy downpour in Cornwall. The manual does recommend reproofing but as has been said, we'll leave until its necessary.
Wait for a sunny weekend and put up the camper, this being the UK it will turn the sky a deep dark hue and the heavens will open.....you'll have two things then.
1, You'll know if its waterproof.
2, If it isn't then you'll not need to waste water weathering is and Mother Nature has just done the job for you......;)
------------- Trio trinidad(died)/ Bispace400(still going strong15 yrs later) /ESVO Walnoot(had to surrender) / Cabanon Latitude(dead after the first outing). Vango illusion 500xl tc.
If you really have to proof a tent, try something other than fabsil which is silicon based, silicon blocks the pores of the fabric, such as http://www.stormcare.co.uk/canvas-waterproofer-5l.html
from my tests on a club frame tent, it seems much better than fabsil
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Topic: Waterproofing 2007 Conway folding camper?
