Hi all, new member who is trying to find a place to get an old conway challenger tt 1991 model reproofed. We went camping in it bank holiday weekend and tt leaked by one of windows,wife not too impressed at 3am. I have looked on internet and phoned around but do not seem able to find a company doing it. Any suggestions welcomed
You can do this yourself easily enough, though you do need to have somewhere you can leave it erected for some hours to allow the proofing to dry. campsites take a dim view of this, though, because it`s a smelly job and it can affect the grass. Also you can`t really stay in the TT while it`s drying.
You can use Fabsil (expensive) or Thompsons Water Seal (not so expensive, and very populer..it also says in the tin that it can be used for canvas, don`t worry!) applied with a pressurised garden sprayer. The canvas needs to be clean before you apply the proofer, btw...use any propriatary canvas cleaning product.
Just a point but if was just one place it was leaking you can just reproof that spot. We did whilst away this time, ours leaked above the window so when the tent dried again quick spray of fabsil and that was that. No more leaks. Might be worth a try at least.
------------- The British soldier must be driven to digging in the moment he occupies a piece of ground,lest he waste time in sightseeing,souvenir hunting & drinking tea.....
Maj Gen F.W. Festing (GOC 36 Inf Div )
Quote: Originally posted by itsmekids on 03/9/2006
Just a point but if was just one place it was leaking you can just reproof that spot. We did whilst away this time, ours leaked above the window so when the tent dried again quick spray of fabsil and that was that. No more leaks. Might be worth a try at least.
Yes, that`s very true. You can get aerosol tins of Fabsil for this sort of thing. Fabsil spray is also very good for lubricating poles, btw, as it`s a silicon based product.
Thanks for the replies, I had taken a can of fabsil to it whilst away and it does appear to have worked. I thought that I would try and get it reproffed properly as I do not know if it had been reproofed before or it had never been done since it was purchased.
I will now try and reproof it myself before using it again.
we only use our tt once or twice a year and were going to reproof it as it is now 4-5 years old, but I am now wondering whether we should do this routinely as it is not leaking at all - shoulod we wait until it does spring a leak or reprof before it does?
we came back from a very, very rainy week in scotland and the fabric was soaking the water. fortunately it only came through in 1 place. i did manage to proof the bedroom compartments yesterday, brushing on thompsons water seal. took nearly 5 litres - but it's £30 a tin cheaper than fabsil
We also proofed ours the other day and re did the top roof panels with a second coat. It drizzled as we finished that so I hope it will be ok.... Will soon find out on Saturday as we are taking our pullman out for the very first time then. Keeping everything crossed....
Tent Valleting Service at Farnworth Lancs will re-proof tents if you can get it to them.When they did the main compartment of my Trigano it was not leaking and they thought I was beng a bit over enthusiastic. I never did the awninig and after 13 years moderate use it never leaked so I guess they were right.
The canvas should be good for 10 - 12 years before it needs re-proofing. If the water bounces off it or forms drops on the surface then it is still waterprrof. If you can see that the canvas is starting to soak up the water then it needs re-doing.
It's a very quick job with a garden spray. Travis Perkins own brand "Waterseal" is another one that is safe for canvas.
------------- Caz
If you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, just keep going till you go round the bend.