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Dead End with Canvas water proofing.

Posted:
Wed Apr 16, 2008 7:14 pm
by Nic
Sorry I know this topic has come up before but i cant find the posting.
Im having a problem finding ANYTHING to water proof my canvas with. I have been to Lowes, Home Depot, arts and crafts stores. Im at a dead end! I have my roof all sealed up now. New awning parts ready to go. But i cant do anything else before i water proof my roof's canvas top/cover and new awning. I have even looked into DIY water proofing.
I know people have canvas water proofed. PLEASE HELP!


Posted:
Wed Apr 16, 2008 7:16 pm
by toypusher
Have you tried a sporting goods store? Some place that sells tents, etc. We got spray on stuff to waterproof our EZups.

Posted:
Wed Apr 16, 2008 7:19 pm
by Nic
KERRY!!! I didnt even think of that!!!!!!! GREAT IDEA!!!!!!!! THANKS!!!

Maybe Big 5?

Posted:
Wed Apr 16, 2008 7:42 pm
by Miriam C.
Nic, if you look in the hunting stores there is a "water proofer" that is not just a repellent. I forget the name but you use it is a washing machine.

Posted:
Wed Apr 16, 2008 7:49 pm
by TPMcGinty
Here's some stuff that Cabela's has available. It seemed to have good reviews:
http://www.cabelas.com/prod-1/0005871513996a.shtml

Posted:
Wed Apr 16, 2008 7:53 pm
by Steve_Cox
Nic,
I just bought some 3M waterproofing at Ace Hardware a couple of days ago. It was the 3M stuff. It was in the paint department.

Posted:
Wed Apr 16, 2008 8:02 pm
by Miriam C.
The Canvak is only water resistant.


Posted:
Wed Apr 16, 2008 8:32 pm
by jamesm
I use 100% spray silicone for waterproofing my work jacket (which is heavy duct cloth) and my tent. I do have to apply it once or twice a year. You can find it in sporting good stores, dive shops, etc.

Posted:
Wed Apr 16, 2008 9:18 pm
by schaney
Nikwax Product are what I use. You can find them at most outdoor store and online.

Posted:
Wed Apr 16, 2008 9:43 pm
by chief5
Try your local paint store i.e. Sherwin Williams. They sell a canvas waterproofer that painter's use to apply to thier dropcloths. I forget the name, but will post again if I remember. It is sold by the gallon.
Lorn

Posted:
Wed Apr 16, 2008 10:23 pm
by TPMcGinty
Miriam C. wrote:The Canvak is only water resistant.

Canvak for re-storing canvas tents. Besides, not to many companies will say water proof any more. Look at watches. Even the good dive watches say water resistant. Everything leaks eventually.

Posted:
Thu Apr 17, 2008 6:57 am
by 48Rob
Hi Nic,
May not be what you need, or want...but I waterproofed a piece of canvas last year with silicone.
I was using the canvas to make a folding (canvas) bathtub for camping.
Worked out really well!
I didn't use spray on silicone (though it may have worked just as well) but instead used silicone in a tube, the stuff sold as caulking.
How its done;
Use clear 100% Silicone from a tube.
(Could use colored as well)
Use odorless mineral spirits.
Combine the two in a container and stir till the silicone is the consistancy of paint.
Brush on and let dry.
Do another coat, or turn over and do the reverse side.
Soaks right into the fabric and makes it water proof.
Rob

Posted:
Thu Apr 17, 2008 9:55 pm
by tk
Don't know exactly what you're looking to do, but you might try some of the canoe and kayak sites. I think some of the canvas on frame builders used a product made for re-sealing roofs on mobile homes---Snow-Coat or Snow-Seal, something like that.
Best,
Tom

Posted:
Thu Apr 17, 2008 10:02 pm
by IndyTom
48Rob wrote:Hi Nic,
I was using the canvas to make a folding (canvas) bathtub for camping.
Worked out really well!
Rob
Rob,
Are you bringing the bath tub with you the brown county next month? I would love to see that.
Tom
Things We Used To Do

Posted:
Thu Apr 17, 2008 10:48 pm
by HossHoffer
My uncle described how they waterproofed a pup tent that he built from plans from the Boy Scouts in the 1930s. They heated up some gasoline on the stove (a wood & coal stove no less), melted parafin wax in it and soaked the piece of canvas he had cut out and stitched in the solution. After letting it dry and air out he used this for many campouts and it never leaked. Now, if you're courageous enough to try it let me know how it turns out.