Quote: Originally posted by Bob61 on 24/4/2014
Interesting to note that in the video the presenter states that the outer repellent causes light rain to bead, so if you have been belting it with a hose the beading might not be too apparent - lol.
Same with Fabsil. Light rain/hose beads off beautifully, but give it a soaking and it then stops obviously beading, but doesn't come through to inside. Steeper roofs of bedroom pods on our FC will bead for longer but will still ultimately stop so obviously beading.
Quote: Originally posted by Bob61 on 24/4/2014
Having researched it a lot better now my opinion is that it probably didn't need waterproofing but you have done it now and apart from the cost no harm has been done. I would finish it off and if it finally ends up taking 10 litres, one thing is for sure...it will withstand a monsoon!
Yep, given that it was just the seams it probably didn't need Fabsil, but depends on Outwell's reason for recommending though I guess. I also, still, agree that as OP has started, and almost finished, he may as well do it all. It won't do any harm and will have added a nice layer of UV protection.
Oh BOB nobody said Fabsil would damage the tent, cotton will soak up Fabsil like a sponge Nikwax which a lot of people prefer for fabric with a cotton content would have used less as it is applied to a wet fabric. Whats done is done whether one thinks its right or wrong and hopefully OP will end up with a waterproof tent in which they will enjoy years of happy camping and in the end that is what it all boils down to
------------- Experience enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.
Everything has been said before, but since nobody ever listens we have to keep going back and saying it all over again and again and again
Quote: Originally posted by arsenaldes on 24/4/2014
...hopefully OP will end up with a waterproof tent in which they will enjoy years of happy camping and in the end that is what it all boils down to
Well thanks be I havent done it any harm and if monsoon proofs it then thats great as that could be the case in Kerry...hope not though. Thank you all so much for all the advice and opinions my mind is at rest ( I think).
I recently became interested in waterproofing because my new tent is an ex display model and having erected it in the garden it looked like a wet rag when it rained with no beading whatsover.
Previously I had always read that tents never need waterproofing and I suppose they don't but they will look better, last longer, and dry quicker if the outer coating is replaced when it is apparent it has worn off.
I own several older canvas tents. They were all hosed down and dried out several times after purchase are all very waterproof. The seams on a couple leaked a bit,even after the seasoning process and I used the old boy scouts trick of rubbing a clear wax candle along them.Problem solved,no more leaks. Cheers Phil from Oz.
------------- If there's no camping in heaven. I'm not going!
Yes bob the waterproof polyurethane membrane is sprayed on the inside of the fabric, the thickness of which depends on the HH of the material. Polyester fibres are hydrophobic which means they do not absorb water. When you apply Fabsil to the outside of a waterproof fabric you are not "re-waterproofing" but just aiding the fabrics ability to bead water due to the silicon content of the liquid.
At LightFantastic I would be interested in which Polycotton tent you are basing your statements on and its most people on here rather than just a few that would only use such products as a last resort
Post last edited on 24/04/2014 23:54:48
------------- Experience enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.
Everything has been said before, but since nobody ever listens we have to keep going back and saying it all over again and again and again
Quote: ...and what evidence there is that a certain product will extend the life of a polycotton tent with regard to UV degradation
Grangers' own statement about Fabsil "UV treatment will extend the life and performance of tent fabrics." along with "Silicone-based proofer suitable for all fabric types
------------- Experience enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.
Everything has been said before, but since nobody ever listens we have to keep going back and saying it all over again and again and again
Quote: Originally posted by arsenaldes on 24/4/2014
Yes bob the waterproof polyurethane membrane is sprayed on the inside of the fabric, the thickness of which depends on the HH of the material. Polyester fibres are hydrophobic which means they do not absorb water. When you apply Fabsil to the outside of a waterproof fabric you are not "re-waterproofing" but just aiding the fabrics ability to bead water due to the silicon content of the liquid.
Yes, I was aware of that bit but not your earlier comment about cotton soaking up Fabsil which was interesting. That seems to have happened in this case.
Quote: Originally posted by arsenaldes on 24/4/2014And there evidence is how much longer ?????? facts figures
Well seeing as I don't work for Grangers I wouldn't know!
I'm sure if you ring them on 01773 521 521, and ask for the Technical Department, then David or Ben will be happy to 'talk tech' for as long as you wish. They were certainly very helpful and informative over a number of conversations I had with them prior to and during the time I reproofed my FC when I wanted to dig deep about some technical data, check best practices and get answers to a number of questions.
EDIT: I see you edited your 11:33 post 20 minutes later, after I'd posted my subsequent reply.
You added "...and its most people on here rather than just a few that would only use such products as a last resort"
Well that's a very sweeping generalisation for someone who's demanding facts in their latest post! Yes, nobody is going to apply any product to their tent/TT/Fc just for the hell of it, only if they believe it needs to be.
Lynnie,exactly the same happened to me earlier this month,i have sealed the leaky seams and have used 7 litres of fabsil on 2 coats of the walls and only 1 coat of the roof,couldn't believe it the canvas was like a flippin sponge,its cost 70 quid so thats it for a couple of years now----no more or it goes
Quote: Originally posted by Mucker1884 on 25/4/2014
I have half a tin left from when I soaked my guy lines, if anyone wants it!
Don't think I'll be bothering to do them again!
I would hang on to it...you'll have to do them every two years now
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Topic: Leaky cotton tent...oh dear
