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first things first are you sure it needs doing?cotton canvas unless very old (20 years+)or been damaged in some way should be water tight.

it may leak the first couple of times but the fibers should swell and then be waterproof.

now if you deside to go ahead then get the water based fabsil as this in non flammable.

Quote: Originally posted by kate w on 05/6/2011When I picked my brand new Camplet up from Camperlands I was advised to re-proof with a coat of Fabsil in a garden sprayer every 5 years.  So the man you got yours from could have been told the same when he got it.

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Quote: Originally posted by arcadia on 05/6/2011

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The guy we bought from claimed to have reproofed our FC prior to selling. seems crazy since its a 2005. I've read on here once you start doing so you need to keep repeating it but no idea how often and how you would know it needs it. Does it start to leak? Is there a way of telling if it has been done?

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you can tell if it has been fabsiled by the way the rain beads on top of the canvas and does not soak in.as to how often this will depend on usage,as the more time out in the sun the quicker the fabsil breaks down.if it was me i would redo the fc itself at the begining of the season,but the awning every couple of years.

the good thig about fabsil is it does give uv protection to the canvas so your unit should hold it's coulor better.

the big downside is it stops the canvas from breathing.

Quote: Originally posted by DaveWr on 06/6/2011

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Quote: Originally posted by kate w on 05/6/2011When I picked my brand new Camplet up from Camperlands I was advised to re-proof with a coat of Fabsil in a garden sprayer every 5 years.  So the man you got yours from could have been told the same when he got it.

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On an earlier thread, the man from Camperlands didn't know that if you reproof canvas you remove its natural waterproofing ability. Once you start using Fabsil, you will have to keep using Fabsil, as the canvas threads can no longer tighten together when wet.

The canvas experts care guide:

http://www.tencate.com/TenCate/Outdoor_fabrics/documents/30020%20Consumentenboekje_General%20Tips%20UK.pdf

Post last edited on 06/06/2011 07:43:06

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Quote: Originally posted by wongers on 06/6/2011

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the big downside is it stops the canvas from breathing.

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I was surprised to see the above comment because we had to apply 5 coats of Fabsil to our Pathfinder 3 years ago but have never experienced this problem. There's never any condensation at night even when we've had a gang of 9 people in it.

Ailish

very glad to hear that but if a waterproof coating is applied then it will stop the fabric from breathing,this is not to say you will get condensation as good ventilation is far more important.