I paid over 100 eu for a brand new Wenka tarp (bought July and used last week for first time) ... I am wondering if mine is a dud as I know most people have had a great experience with theirs.
But I noticed that it rained one day and the tarp developed black marks over it, it rained again the next day and the marks got worse, and by day 3 of on and off rain the tarp now looks so black-spottie that you would think it was a 10 year old tarp and not a brand new one! The tarp was pitched up at all times during these 3 days of on-and-off rain, it was not packed away wet .... so I am totally unable to account for how it has all these black mildew marks all over it.
Questions:
1. What has gone wrong do you think?
2. Is there a remedy to fix the terrible discolouration all over it?
3. Do you think I have any come-back with Wenka for a refund? Reason I ask is that I cut the tarp into two sections to modify it to make it a more manageable size for my tent, so its not like it was when delivered as its been modified. However the modification in size should have had zero impact on why the tarp has totally discoloured and looks like its totally covered in mildew.
I thought mildew only formed when material was packed away went and there was no air to circulate it and dry it. This was defo not the case ... my tarp was pitched at all times during the 3 days of rain and it was allowed to dry out inbetween showers and also it remained pitched for a few days after the rain stopped before I took it down. It was as if the mildew was appearing during the rain showers, if that makes sense?
Humbird
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Hi
Ok, re mildew I am 99% sure it couldn't be that, mildew would not form with the way it has been used. Was it pitched near or under a tree, I cannot understand how or what has caused these marks.
As for returning it, even if it is faulty you have no legal back up once you have cut it in half, yes the retailer may if they want take it back but I doubt it.
Sorry I cant help in anyway re the marks, without seeing it it's really hard to comment.
Gary Cross
It is possibly dirt as in dust or tree pollen, then the rain has made it clump and streak. Try hanging it up (dry) then sponging it down with plain water (NO CLEANING PRODUCTS!!) and a clean sponge. You'll be able to tell, mildew won't sponge out, dust and pollen will, to a certain extent. If you find the marks do rinse out get the hose out and give it a really good sluice down. It will never look that new again but tbh, it's camping gear not a dress shirt. If it does the job and keeps the rain off do a few marks really matter?
Hi gary and val, thanks for your replies. The tarp was not pitched under a tree. The marks are not "streaky" kind of marks ... more like thousands of little black dots that now give a generally totally grubby mouldy appearance. I am going to try to upload pics of it tomorrow so you can see for yourselves (am not able to do it today).
I am back from hols now so will get to work on it by laying it over the clothes line and see what can be done by way of cleaning it - thanks for telling me NO CLEANING PRODUCTS !
I might post a picture of it to Wenka and see what they say ... but I am not hopeful ... they are not the most communicative of companies even at the best of times.
Thanks!
Humbird
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Thousands of little black dots could just be dust, you know. Or soot? Lots of BBQs or open fires on site, by any chance?
You can use cleaning products, of course, but they've got to be appropriate ones for canvas. Graingers are a good brand, I think they do a mould remover if you're sure it's that. (I still can't see how mould would happen under these conditions though.) The secret of using any cleaner on canvas though is to rinse it out really, really well, then a bit more. And then again.
I had a very similar occurrence on my bell tent last weekend - definitely not mildew but really did look like it when I first saw it. Pretty certain it was the combination of camp fire smoke and drizzly rain. It brushed off easily once the canvas was dry.
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Presumably the marks didn't disappear when the tarp dried? Just wondering if the little black marks are woven through the fabric and just show up when it's wet.
I'm sure it won't be mildew. Was there anyone nearby with a campfire or barbecue? I have little black marks which look like mildew all over part of my cream canvas bell tent on the side where my stove flue exits. I know for a fact that it's specks from the smoke blown onto the canvas, but it really does look like mildew marks.
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Topic: Mildew? Brand new Wenka Tarp
