We packed up our tent in a very heavy dew but when we arrived home two days later it had black spots on it so iwashed it in dilute milton. It seems fine now. But should i re proof it? Or leave it? Or just forget it and look at a replacement?
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Milton isn't a detergent, it's a sterilising solution. As to wether you should re proof....I was under the impression that bell tents sort of seal themselves so stay waterproof.....I could be wrong (and usually am!) but I'm sure someone with abell tent will come along soon
Way to find out if it's still waterproof is to put it up and get it wet. You're going to have to put it up to re-proof it anyway. If it doesn't leak, it's fine as it is.
------------- Kate
Trailer tent, caravan and too many tents!
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After cleaning leave it to dry then test it first with the hosepipe to see if it's still watertight before going any where near canvas with re-proofer. It will probably still be ok.
I used Milton to clean some mildew from my frame tent canvas, it was the whole front panel and some other areas After cleaning I gave it a really good rinse, then rinsed it again, left it to dry then luckily when tested it was still waterproof.
Thanks for your advice. I agree i was bit unclear from eeading around whether the canvas would need reproofing. I guess try it and see. I am a bit disappointed at how fargile it appears to be. They yaer before the main pole went through the top reinforced point in a storm. Is it just this particular canvas type or am i expecting too much. It puts me off spending more on my dream tent a karsten or dutch pyramid tent. But i do love camping under canvas and the ease of putting it up.
With canvas tents you get what you pay for, you can't compare a Karsten or DeWaard to a bell tent or a cheaper pyramid, you are not comparing like with like.
Regarding your tent, it should now be ok, you shouldn't need to proof canvas, when it gets wet the fibres expand to make it waterproof.
------------- Regards, Jack+Jon.
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Quote: Originally posted by Jack+Jon on 15/11/2013
With canvas tents you get what you pay for, you can't compare a Karsten or DeWaard to a bell tent or a cheaper pyramid, you are not comparing like with like.
Regarding your tent, it should now be ok, you shouldn't need to proof canvas, when it gets wet the fibres expand to make it waterproof.
I guess thats what was confusing i'll wait and see.
Also i agree there is a big difference in quality between canvas tents but packing them away wet is taking a risk.
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Topic: Belltent and milton
