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Quote: Originally posted by romany on 05/5/2008

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Nikwax is a grangers product it tends to carry more wax than than Fabsil so is better on older more worn canvas that needs that extra bulk the draw back to nikwax is you do tend to get a slightly opaque sheen to the canvas when wet or damp for a cheaper product Thompsons water seal comes from the same stable and is in my opinion equally as good

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Hi Alan.
We have discussed a TT but have decided to wait until I reach 70 val gets there this Christmas it would mean that we would require a larger car again for all the gear we now take as bulk can be a problem with TT's but as you say it can open up the season for you. I will be interested in how you get on.
all the best.
Rex.

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Dear Rex

You are a star for giving me all that information.

I will take note and be well prepared for the British summer.

Lou

Quote: Originally posted by Jan P on 06/5/2008

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Hi Alan.
We have discussed a TT but have decided to wait until I reach 70 val gets there this Christmas it would mean that we would require a larger car again for all the gear we now take as bulk can be a problem with TT's but as you say it can open up the season for you. I will be interested in how you get on.
all the best.
Rex.

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There's always space in the folding camper forum for a convert. In the bedrooms you can pretend its proper camping.

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Quote: Originally posted by rexgrant on 06/5/2008

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Quote: Originally posted by romany on 05/5/2008

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Nikwax is a grangers product it tends to carry more wax than than Fabsil so is better on older more worn canvas that needs that extra bulk the draw back to nikwax is you do tend to get a slightly opaque sheen to the canvas when wet or damp for a cheaper product Thompsons water seal comes from the same stable and is in my opinion equally as good

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Hi romany
I have alway been given to believe that you should never add nothing to cotton canvas only a special cleaner, and this I have followed all my life and never had a clean canvas tent leak. Wax is a waterproof agent and is added to material to waterproof it IE the Barber range of wax coats.
These coats are not breathable, and by adding wax even in a washing mixture would seal the porosity of the cotton thread and remove the breath-ability of the material. If you say I am incorrect would you please explain to me how
you can coat cotton canvas with wax without removing the breath-ability, as I alway say you never stop learning.
Regards
Rex.

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Hi Rex neither Nikwax or thompson waterseal are completely wax products they just have a higher and different type of wax mixture than Fabsil. Fabsil used to contain duck oil not sure if it still does as I have been out of the trade side a fair few years now.

All three products are Hygroscopic ie they can obsorb moisture but shed water droplets bit like the old brake fluids that had to be changed after so long because of this very reason.

So they still allow cotton fibres to swell. As I have pointed out before cotton does have a natural oil of its own which is reinforced with a waterproofer when new this should with proper care and attention last for years.

If canvas was not proofed it may well be waterproof when the fibres swell but one you would never lift it wet and its highly unlikely your frame would take the weight,

The other advantage is obviously a tent that drys much quicker