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I can't imagine anything but a really flexible paint would work, and then it would still probably flake off.

Dye, now. This has been tried now and again. Two problems...first is if your canvas has ever been treated with proofer of any sort then dye won't take. Secondly is that as it's impossible to dip-dye something the size of a canvas it has to be brushed or sprayed on and then...streaks are all too possible. Also any stains or fading of the canvas will come up a different colour to the rest even when dyed. Plus  what kind of dye? I only know liquid dyes for small amounts of fabric or fibres. I presume there must be something availible though.

Finally, I have seen photographs of two TTs done this way. They were both terrible....patchy and streaky. One of them had been abandoned half way though as it was such a disaster. I can only say make very sure you know what you're doing before you start.

My suggestion? Brush the canvas down well with a soft brush, sponge out any mud stains with plain water, reproof if required ...and that's a different discussion entirely. Make up some new curtains and cushion covers to brighten the tent up instead. Faded canvas is a camping badge of honour remember! Look at my Conway on my profile pix to see what 21 years of sun can do to a TT...the sun canopy is two years old and made from the same canvas, lol.   

Sail paint is made for canvas,available from chandlers I guess! Bit extreme though!

And I cant imagine the canvas will be breathable after. Do as Val says and you wont go far wrong! A bit of fading will make you look like an old hand.Distinguished,even!   

21 years of sun? Which country was this?!! My kids still point and ask what the big bright thing in the sky is.

Quote: Originally posted by ian9506 on 06/6/2010

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21 years of sun? Which country was this?!! My kids still point and ask what the big bright thing in the sky is.

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Pinched from another site after a search

I know its a bit "keeping up with the Joneses" but I'm trying to freshen up the camper, its an old model from 1985, a laser hardtop. Today I have tried dylon and fabsil mix, no good, the dylon didnt dissolve, I even tried to warn the fabsil by putting the spray bottle I used in a basin of hot water, but the dylon just didnt mix. I tried to dissolve some green acylic artists paint in the fabsil but as it is a water soluable paint it just wouldnt break down and mix in the fabsil. I made up a pot of water and green acylic paint mix and sprayed / sponged this onto a small portion of the awning canvas. That was ok and if I got a good color match I might be happy with that, but I still have to make sure that the canvas will still be able to take the fabsil afterwards.

All this said I think my best bet will be two spray cans that are on there way, just ordered then from...

http://www.fabricspray.co.uk/

It is fabric paint that air cures, spray on let dry, happy days. Again I'll have to test it to see if I can still apply the fabsil afterwards. I have ordered the hunter green cans...

http://www.fabricspray.co.uk/shop/fabric-spray/hunter-green

The color on my screen seems like a good match.

If I go ahead with it I will take some pics before and after and post them here.

Cheers Ben

Before I go any further, I take no responsibility for any problems encountered if anyone tries dyeing their camper canvas, I only offer my experiences in using fabric spray paints in good faith as a report on my own experiences and not as a recomendation to do likewise.

A bit over the top, but I don't want anyone trying to sue me ;-\

I recieved the cans of fabric spray paint (as mentioned before) this morning. I layed out the awning canvas, both faded area and unfaded area, and sprayed. Once I jently rubbed in the spraypaint with a clean sponge, the color soaked into the canvas and the color was bright and a very good match with the original color (green).

I left the canvas to dry in the sun for 2 hours, came back to it and was very pleased with the results, both the faded and unfaded areas were dry and a matching green where sprayed and the faded area that has been sprayed is now a good color match with both original unfaded and sprayed unfaded areas.

Once dry the color would not come off, even with vigourous rubbing.

I left it another hour before I applied Thompsons Waterproofer. I sprayed this on and then rubbed it in with another clean sponge. It soaked in as it should and the sponge had no green dye on it, a good sign.

I left this to dry for 2 hours, and then did the rain test, hey presto the water beaded and ran off. I tried to soak it but couldnt, the water just kept on running off.

My only concern is that the spray cans are a little on the small side. The Fabric spray website say " 1 can of Simply Spray should cover about 30 sq feet ", but I would be surprised.

By my reconing I have about 100sq feet of green to cover, an over estimate but want to err on the side of caution, rather than get stuck half way through. This would suggest I would need 4 cans, but I think I'll be prepared with 6 cans, belt and braces ;-)

I am very happy with the color match I have with the green, and will definately be going ahead and spraying our Conway Laser Folding Camper, I'd suggest a very still day as the fabric spray is quite a fine misty spray.

hope this helps