How To Waterproof A Canvas Tent Step by Step
Reading Time: 11 minutes If your tent is not waterproof, the fabric will seep in and lead to a buildup of mildew. And if this happens, you will start to attract mould. Therefore, there will be the old mould smell that we all know.
The fabric tent stops the rain and prevents water from entering the tent. It is one of the good things, and the canvas needs to be taken care of to spend your night under the stars.
If your canvas tent is damp and begins to pick up and smell mould after a short period, you will feel very sorry that you did not take the simple steps. Steps that insulate your tent correctly.
We will explain how to insulate the tent that is made of fabric that is waterproof after you purchase it, and we will explain how to protect your old tent in the event of a leak in it.
DO CANVAS TENTS NEED WATERPROOFING?
The fabric tents are among the fabulous and distinctive tents during camping and various outdoor activities. That is why there is a great way to weave the fabric lightly. So, water cannot penetrate the tent due to its natural water-resistant elements.
And if your tent is not rain-resistant, you must insulate it because any leakage during the rain can enter the water inside the tent and also, moisture will enter your tent.
The fabric used to make the tent may be very durable and live for a long time, but its waterproofing materials may be reduced and as a result of this, water leakage may occur inside the tent.
The canvas used in the tent contains some insulating materials which are natural but not fully waterproof. So, make your tent waterproof.
Note: If you want to use a plastic sheet to insulate your tent, it may rust. You will not be able to breathe as there will not be any kind of ventilation on the fabric. If it does not rain, the plastic sheet will smell foul on the fabric of the tent.
Since it is not a fully enclosed surface, water may leak through it, so you must insulate your canvas tent with a spray that prevents water leakage during rain.
SEASONING VS WATERPROOFING
While buying a new canvas tent, you will see many holes in the tent. These holes are large as all layers of the fabric are sewn together. As a result, small holes are created so, water will enter through these holes.
Therefore, you must close these holes or seams during the seasoning process. You should also soak the tent and dry it more than once while doing the soaking process. The canvas may expand as a result of getting wet. Thus, pressure fills the holes.
In this way, the tent is insulated by closing these small holes.
The tent is not waterproof by using a waterproof silicone spray because after using the canvas tent for a few years, these holes will leak water. Therefore, you will have to use the waterproof spray in order to prevent its leakage.
How to Season a Canvas Tent
Seasoning your tent is much more important than insulating the water, as you can season it without any water resistance. If you insulate it before you season it, it is not good
You will want to do this before you set up your new camping in your tent in order to get the best results so, do this in the summer when the weather is hot.
Steps to season your canvas tent:
- The first step:
Set up your tent to do the soaking process, so you must provide sufficient space. You should also make sure that you wet the area well and then close the doors and windows of the tent.
- The second step :
Your tent must be fully saturated, and to do this use, a hose. Thus, you will use a method similar to heavy rain. Spray your tent with cold water thoroughly, from the bottom to the ceiling, and be careful with the seams.
After you spray water on your tent for 5 minutes, enter your tent to make sure that the sun is shining through the holes in the tent.
And if you notice the presence of sunlight through the walls or the layers of the tent, make sure that you need to spray the tent with more water.
Keep soaking the tent until you can’t see the sun’s rays through the small holes inside the tent, then leave it to dry.
Insulate the tent by using cold, then hot, and then cold water, so you must leave it to dry for a day in the backyard of your house.
- The third step:
Dry the tent inside and out. And the outside surface of the tent must be hot where it is absorbed again.
Soak your tent twice. It is best if you do this for 10 minutes. After that, use cold water, then you must go inside the tent to make sure that there is no sunlight through the holes or walls.
Leave your tent to dry again in the sun.
- The fourth step :
You can use the hose to test the insulation of the tent because it is like rain.
You can also remove your tent for some time and put it back when it is raining to test your ten and make sure that it withstands normal and heavy rain.
Go into the tent to make sure that there is no leakage after it rains, and if there is no leakage, you have succeeded in insulating the tent.
You can also use a spray that causes water leakage by spraying it on the leaking areas, where seasoning them will likely not help.
- Fifth step:
After testing your tent, let it dry again before you pack it, as the hard part of this process is over. All you have to do is pack your tent and take it out for a real camping trip.
- Sixth step:
You should wet your tent every 12 months to get the best results, and you should use the best estimate over time.
When the seasoning no longer responds, you can use more waterproofing spray.
How to Waterproof a Canvas Tent
It is easy to insulate your tent, as all you need is a product or two with some time to apply it, and you must choose the right product for your tent.
Steps to isolate the waterproof canvas tent:
- The first step is to choose the right product:
It is preferable to bring a water-resistant silicone spray or a polymer waterproof spray, as both sprays are made of silicone rubber. Products made of fluoropolymer are more resistant to weather, oil, and water compared to silicone.
Both products have high quality in doing insulation and water resistance, but I recommend using fluoropolymer.
The Scotchgard Heavy Duty Water Shield works effectively on tents that are made of canvas with fluorochemical properties. And best of all, it allows your tent to breathe.
You will also need to use some sealant to increase the seam protection as the Gear Aid works well on fabric.
- Second plan: pitch your tent outside
When your products are ready, put your tent on a flat surface, and you must provide a large space to be able to move around the fabric while covering the outside completely.
- Step Three Clean up the space in your tent:
If your tent is not new, there will be some areas that will be dirty on the surface of the fabric, and therefore you must remove this dirt before you perform waterproofing. You can do this by using distilled white vinegar with a soft brush.
The ratio of vinegar used is only one cup per gallon of water, and if you want, you can use a cup of salt and a cup of lemon juice instead. This method will help you get rid of the mould on your tent and help you clean your tent completely.
Also, you can use dish soap as another alternative in cleaning your tent, but you should stay away from products that contain bleach because bleach may damage the fabric.
Dip your mattress in the vinegar solution and scrub gently on the soiled areas of your tent. You should continue to do this until all the stains are gone, and if your tent is very dirty, you can use a light spray hose to spray your tent completely.
- Step Four: Use your product.
Use a waterproofing spray and a seam seal. Use a diamond seal along all seams for the walls to stick to each other and the floor.
You can use the waterproofing spray on areas with leaks or you can use it on your tent completely. You must also follow the instructions that are included in the waterproofing product.
- Step Five Run a test on your tent:
Wait for the waterproofing spray to dry, then test your tent to see if the spray you used is working or not. Then grab a hose and wash your tent thoroughly and gently.
You must also go inside to make sure that there is no leakage, and if you find a leak, you must spray the waterproofing spray again on the areas where there is a leak.
- Step Six Let your tent dry.
Leave your tent for some time to dry after you have finished the test. Leave your tent assembled to ensure that no shrinkage occurs as the fabric does shrink when it becomes wet.
One of the best safe ways to lighten the tent is to expose it to the sun. It is one of the fastest drying methods, as the fabric deals with a lot of ultraviolet light, and you should not leave the tent for a long time under the sun.
How To Waterproof A Tent With Spray
Old fabric tents may have leaks due to the expansion of the fabric, and this leads to a leak in the spring. The goal of waterproofing the fabric is to cover it with a material that prevents water from leaking inside the fabric, such as using a water-repellent spray with a guarantee that it will not be exceeded so that the new tent can breathe through these materials.
Steps to insulate your tent with a spray:Â
The first step is to buy the right atomizer for your tent:
One of the best types of sprays used for waterproofing are silicone and fluoropolymer, and you find these products available on Amazon and other sellers.
An example of this is Kiwi Camp Heavy Water Repellent a silicone sealant called a water-repellent spray which is a great product for canvas tents highly rated. You can spray it on different areas of the waterproof fabric.
You can spray it in different concentrations, and there are also other types of water-repellent sprays, and these types protect the tent from stains and ultraviolet rays.
The second step is to prepare the tent:
You should check your tent before spraying it with a sealant spray. If you find mouldy mildew on the tent, you should scrub it well by using a bucket of soapy water. And you can use a paintbrush whose bristles are hard to dig the depth you want.
Step Three Pitch your tent on flat ground:
Set up your tent on flat ground while spraying the tent with waterproofing spray. It should be in your backyard and away from any living areas.
Step Four: Spray well and make sure you get to the seams:
You must spray the surface of your tent everywhere, using equal mixtures, and you can use a paintbrush to apply the spray of waterproofing fabric to the seams where you must apply strong pressure in order for the lines to meet with enough spray.
Step five Let your tent dry and then do this again:
Leave the tent exposed to the wind to dry completely. When it dries, repeat the painting process once or twice.
Step six Rinse it:
After these steps, spray your tent thoroughly with water using a water hose. You can do this after any number of coats.
While spraying water on the tent, you must make sure that the water rolls into beads. It will give you actual evidence that your canvas tent has become waterproof.
You will need to repeat this process every season and during camping trips. If you find dirt, clean it with a soft brush.
Canvas tents are not waterproof, but this process is relatively cheap and simple in order to make them waterproof while you take them out of the box.
You should also follow these steps in order to stay dry while you are camping and with a breathable surface and avoid The occurrence of any accumulation of mould.
Canvas Tent Maintenance Tips
It is not enough to wet your waterproof tent, but you must take care of it in order to avoid any damage such as the occurrence of mould that can hinder the water resistance.
Some maintenance tips for a fabric tent:
- Pack your tent dry:
Pack your tent dry because if you pack it wet, it will not dry out. If you fill it wet, it may lead to the formation and accumulation of mould and its growth significantly, as mould grows in dark and damp places.
- Clean it before you fill it:
Dirt maintains moisture, so you should clean your tent before you pack it, as you must clean the spots as mentioned earlier.
- Store your tent properly:
Store your tent in a dry and cool place because mould grows in the damp and dark areas, and it is better for you to store it in a container that is airtight and in order to prevent insects and mice from entering it and thus protect it from being cut into pieces.
- Clean it every season:
Clean your tent once a year, even if it is not dirty. Use a solution of vinegar and water in areas that are high in traffic. It will make your tent clean and ready for use in the future.
If you find mould on your tent, you should clean it and then do annual seasoning and waterproofing.
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