Well, I've decided to give my vango a re-proof. I tried to clean it with a very mild soap solution which hasn't taken the proofing off altogether but I don't think it's as good as it was.
Anyway, I've rinsed it heavily twice and when fully dry I put plenty of fabsil on it with a paint brush. Trouble is, I forgot all about rubbing with a clean cloth and it's looking like it will dry streaky.
If I give it a second coat, and rub it this time, do you think it'll solve the problem?
You're right there val but it's all learning - I've never re-proofed a tent before (and I've been camping as long as I've lived) so wanted to try it anyway. I chickened out of using my own mix - it works well on any material I've tried it on but I decided for the sake of £30 I'd do it with the "proper" stuff.
Gave it a rinse last night to see if it'd shift any excess but no such luck, the tide marks do seem to shift with a rub so I think a lightish spray and plenty of elbow grease may well put it right. Still haven't looked at the inner. Hoping to get out in it in the next couple of weeks as I've not been yet this year.
Steve; I know as long as it's waterproof it doesn't really matter but it's a new toy and I'd like it to look its best if at all possible. I'd get a new flysheet for it but they're as expensive as the whole tent was secondhand! Maybe in a year or two.
You were absolutely right Steve; It sorted it out and I'm now back to a flysheet I'm happy with. I've not tried the hose on it yet as I'm making sure it's dry first. I'll have to be happy with it though - I've not got enough fabsil for a third coat.
Thats a problem that you get sometimes with fabsil, the Silicone in it drys out to leave a shadow, the only way round this is to make sure that you keep a wet edge, hard to do sometimes. This shadow will fade over time but as you say, you like to have you tent looking good around others. Other products avaliable don't use Silicones due to this issue, there are also products now that are specifically for Canvas and cotton tents. I wouldn't look to do anything this season though think about it for next time.
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Topic: fabsil
