Quote: Originally posted by Valk_scot on 28/4/2010
I was delighted when non-shrink guylines were introduced and the only way I'd ever use sisal ones again is if I was doing a re-enactment of some sort. Why not use modern ones?
I didn't want sisal guyropes - they came on the tent! I wasn't planning on buying an authentic re-enactment style tent, but when I was shopping for a canvas bell tent 7 years or so ago, there wasn't as much choice or info out there as there is today, and this particular one seemed like my best bet.
I started out this thread in the middle of the season, I think, and forgot to update. Yes, I decided to keep the canvas au naturel and not to bother with treatments, just to keep an eye on the tension, and it was fine. However, by the end of the season it was becoming clear that me + 5 kids in a 13' bell tent was a bit of a squash, so I treated myself to a 5m one from www.canvasandcast.co.uk . This one has a lovely big doorway and porch, and yes, modern guy ropes. I was very pleased to find that I didn't need to keep going round adjusting the tension all the time. The tent is built like a tank and I felt very snug in there. And got a little stove too, which was just lovely lovely lovely - the tiny stove threw out loads of heat *and* I was able to warm food on top too. Only downside is that, being strong as a tank, it weighs nearly as much too, but then with 5 kids I was never going to be backpacking anyway!
Cheers, and thank you for your replies,
Angela
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Not sure I have returned to this to late for you, but I have recently found out about a product on the market that is an updated version of Mezowax, the oldies of us will remeber this product, wax and sticky,. However this new version leaves not residue and can be used on any colour canvas. What's even better it is designed for canvas and is half the price of Fabsil, winner! Supose ou want to know about it now, Storm canvas proof.
WARNING.. apparently Thompsons water seal is now water based and does not do the job......just found this out after spending whole sunday afternoon (the only dry day with a day either side forecast since we washed it with "Storm tent cleaner" ) coating the roof with Thompsons....
No idea if we have done irrepairable damage or if we go over it with the storm waterproofer it will be ok. Why oh why is this stuff so expensive?
Very p****ed off....have been reading these dam forums and thats where I heard about using Thompsons....but ofcourse since then the formula has changed......any advice appreciated. Its dam hard to find definative advice about what to do with a 2nd hand canvas tent, think I will need to open a web site on the subject!
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Topic: Older Canvas - waterproofing or not?
