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Subject Topic: To treat a second hand canvas tent or not
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PersonCaligula
10/11/2018 at 8:32am
 Location: Suffolk
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Quote: Originally posted by Bob61 on 09/11/2018
Quote: Originally posted by romany on 09/11/2018

As for fabsil well its Hygroscopic in layman's terms it can absorb water which is why along with other similar products its used to waterproof canvas, it allows the fibres to swell but repels large amounts of water.

The biggest problem with all these (I think water repellents is a better word) is they are not UV stabilised so break down over a period of use necessitating reproofing.


That has confused me. How can it absorb water and repel water at the same time? Hygroscopic means it attracts water.

Fabsil is also supposed to contain UV protection.




It is advertised as a silicon based product: I must admit also to being stymied as I have never known silicon to be hygroscopic? Oh well....


Personlidds0
10/11/2018 at 9:14am
 Location: Yorkshire
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Put it this way: if I went to buy the loveliest of cotton canvas tents and the seller told me it'd been re-proofed, I'd walk away.


Personlidds0
10/11/2018 at 9:21am
 Location: Yorkshire
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Cotton canvas does its own thing re waterproofing, as has already been described. You can tell when it's in its way out because water doesn't bead and run off so well.


Personlidds0
10/11/2018 at 9:24am
 Location: Yorkshire
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When it starts to show darker patches in the rain it's a goner and hardly worth investing in Fabsil at that point because the canvas will have degraded and be thinner and less wind-resistant as well as less waterproof (I once saw an ancient frame tent shredded by high winds - only happens when it's truly worn out).


Personlidds0
10/11/2018 at 9:28am
 Location: Yorkshire
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Canvas tents that have been in dry storage for a long time might need a few good soaking before the fibres swell and seal adequately, so don't panic if it doesn't seem absolutely waterproof on this first pitch.Also, you don't need loads of guys on a frame tent. They're designed for strength and they barely move when fully-pegged.


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Personlidds0
10/11/2018 at 9:29am
 Location: Yorkshire
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If you use Clingons - as has been suggested - you'll need to reinforce the canvas at the attachment point or they'll damage it when the wind gets up. They're really not necessary on this style of tent, only use the corner D ring fittings to attach guys.


Personlidds0
10/11/2018 at 9:32am
 Location: Yorkshire
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It's worth investing in some Delta pegs/ground anchors for the guy ropes, though.

Apologies for multiple posts, I'm using my phone and for some reason a long post covers the 'post reply' icon, so had to split it!


PersonQuickpitch
10/11/2018 at 9:54am
 Location: Sunderland
 Outfit: Robens Green Cone View Quickpitch's Profile View Profile   Reply to Quickpitch Reply   Quote Quickpitch Quote  
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I'm happy to report that the tent survived the torrential rain and windy conditions last night in fine style. There is no evidence of water ingress and the inner is totally dry.

There are a few places where the canvas had wetted out but it really did chuck it down last night. I'm going to leave it up to hopefully see if it can go through a few more cycles of being wet and drying out.

The pegs it came with are pretty poor and whilst the family peg bag has a reasonable selection of pegs in it I'm going to source a set of 12" U's or angles to make sure it's firmly pinned down.


PersonBob61
10/11/2018 at 10:44am
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Quote: Originally posted by romany on 10/11/2018
Quote: Originally posted by Bob61 on 10/11/2018
I'll have to take your word for it


I'm sure knowing you on this site you will be away googling it just to make sure


I did but I couldn't find anything about it.

They seem to recommend Fabsil for all fabrics but for the reasons I stated I would be hesitant in using it on canvas.


PersonQuickpitch
12/11/2018 at 10:35am
 Location: Sunderland
 Outfit: Robens Green Cone View Quickpitch's Profile View Profile   Reply to Quickpitch Reply   Quote Quickpitch Quote  
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Took the inner out last night and let it air out in the dining room overnight. It's bone dry now.

That just leaves the outer. Probably going to have to bite the bullet and bring it in sometime today as my good lady has started to give it pointed glances.... Suspect this won't be quite as quick to dry out. The pointed glances may escalate to sharp words soon.....

Still, mission accomplished. I've convinced myself that I can pitch the Litchfield solo if needed and that it'll stand up to the rain and wind. I'll only be using it in the summer to be fair, I have other (easier to dry and lighter) options for the rest of the year.

Thanks for the advice


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PersonSGThomas
12/11/2018 at 12:31pm
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That just leaves the outer. Probably going to have to bite the bullet and bring it in sometime today as my good lady has started to give it pointed glances.... Suspect this won't be quite as quick to dry out. The pointed glances may escalate to sharp words soon.....

it is when the silences arrive that you need to panic


PersonQuickpitch
15/11/2018 at 10:07am
 Location: Sunderland
 Outfit: Robens Green Cone View Quickpitch's Profile View Profile   Reply to Quickpitch Reply   Quote Quickpitch Quote  
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Normality has been restored. The tent outer took two days to dry out in the dining room, it wasn't a big problem to sort.

After some deliberating, my good lady has consented to consider the possibility of coming away for a weekend if the weather behaves.



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