I have just returned from an horrendous week's camping trip in North Devon during which all the wind-facing doors and windows let in rain. This was undoubtedly due to the wind buffeting the polyester fabric (5m head!!) against the insect screens. This was not wind blown rain getting under the bottoms of windows etc, nor leaky seams - I could actually see dark patches in the polyester that were dripping water! This is only the second time I have used the tent ,which is just over a year old.
As I feel the need to do some preventative waterproofing for the future, can anyone advise on a suitable waterproofing substance? I see from previous posts on this subject that Fabsil is frequently mentioned, but isn't this water based? In which case won't it just run-off the polyester?
Also, should waterproofing be applied to the inner surface, the outer surface, or both surfaces?
I used the Fabsil that comes in a can (you can get spray on Fabsil) and painted it on to the tent, in my opinion this is one of the best ways to "re-proof" your tent as the spray on would just sit on top of the material.
With the paint on kind I would think it has chance to soak into the material and therefore create a better waterproof barrier, at least thats my theory anyway.
There's a brand called Storm and this stuff is great, it has smaller molecules (not sure of the spelling) than Fabsil so gets further into polyester fabrics.
Agree with Gary at Cross Camping, he sent me a small tube of Storm for our leaky tent. We had exactly the same problem in June with leaks from strong winds against the doors and windows, nothing major, but I dried area and put some of the Storm stuff on and no more leaks, great stuff.
I've recently bought an old Vango Force 10 CN (Nylon flysheet) and the original proofing is completely shot.
I painted it with Storm but found that it evaporated very quickly during application - Probably should have sprayed it instead. When it next rained the flysheet leaked in places (possibly due to my poor application/bits missed) but I've since bought some Fabsil and sprayed it with that. I worked the sprayed liquid into the fabric with a paintbrush.
It was forecast to rain here today so I put the tent up for a test - Predictably it's been bright sunshine ever since!
I would test it with a hose but we've still got a ban...
Pwatson, I have exactly the same problem, emailed vango and they recommend storm, well It's one of there products.
I did one side of tent in storm and one in fabsil. Both were sprayed in water spray bottle. The fabsil covered the most area per fluid. The difference is negligible. Neither side are still. 100% waterproof.
------------- Slowly carrying its home on its back
Fabsil is applied to dry fabric and I believe water based [Nikwax] is applied to wet fabric otherwise both do the same job but Fabsil dries quicker being spirit based. OP thought Fabsil was water based would not work on polyester
I used fabsil before I went out on the soggiest weekend away. Worked okay for me. My difficulty was painting the thing on and making sure my edges didn't dry, in the only warm day of summer.
------------- 47 and only just learned how to work a sleeping bag
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Which Waterproofer?
