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Instructions on our new Sunncamp say it needs to be weathered...

Rather than put it up when we think it's going to rain then letting it dry out erected... I thought we could put it up when it's going to be dry use hose with sprinkler to mimic rain for a while then let dry. How wet should I get it? Be grateful for all your advice.

Bit worried about leaving up too long in garden as everyone on our street (including us) has cats and I'm worried they would all want to mark it as their own!!

I assume that as it has the instruction to weather it, you have a canvas tent?

It needs to be pegged out properly then thoroughly soaked all over to close the weave and make it waterproof, take it down only when it is bone dry

Can't help with the moggies although i found my grandsons watercannon useful, sniping through the window

as caster has said

first fully peg it out

then a thourough soaking is needed

you need to get past the run off stage and keep going

you need the canvas to be totaly soaked

dont worry if you get a few leaks keep soaking( this is the reason your doing it) 

what you want to do is totaly soak the canvas untill it can absorbe no more water, then go have a cup of tea and get the hose out again and soak some more 

the canvas will swell the threads and then as it dries it will shrink closing up any holes(this is why you need to fully peg the tent out first

if you dont peg it out it may shrink  too much under drying and be too small for the frame

again i assume you are talking of a new canvas tent , if not ignore this :p no reason to weather anything but a canvas tent

as for the cats i have 2 staffordshire bull terriers so im ok , if you dont this site could help http://webley.co.uk/

Thanks for advice- we will hope for sunny weather this weekend and get the hose out. Also looking forward to putting the tent up (yes, it is a new canvas one)... the diagram for the frame looks like something off an IQ test! Think I will do some colour coding on poles ( have seen it as a tip on here) .. should be OK as long as OH doesn't try to help too much!

Thanks again, Sarah x

Use electrical insulation tapes in different colours,( poundland or wilkinsons do mixed packs) .

We had our awning poles done like this, made it easier to remember .

The leg poles are usually all the same size , so probably no need to mark these,

 or do them in black, (remembering that they will get dirty, hence black)

Red for the Roof poles ,

BLue for the left hand side , 

 GReen  for  the  Right.

Any others,like awning or kitchen extension,  use white tape and a permanent marker if neccesary for any complicated bits.

we had one once that previous owners had marked with numbers and couldn't make head nor tail of it, so make sure you mark them in a way you will remember easily.

It also helps if you put a strip of tape each end of the poles,so  if they ever lose their spring connectors , you still know what's what.

and when you've taped it all, colour the diagram in, and laminate it, for future reference.

Diolch, Debbie! 

Only just seen your reply- we didn't get a chance to put up tent yet but hoping to Saturday if it looks to be dry over weekend-it has 16 types of poles! They have stickers on them at the moment but some of them are falling off already (help!) even though they are still in the box!! Will certainly be using all your tips... Thanks again!

Sarah x

Thanks Rex knew you would have some good advice-

 I am now trying to get hold of someone at Sunncamp or Camping International so I can find this out- Instuctions that came with it just said it had to be weathered ...but also says it has to be pitched and fully pegged out to dry or "..could result in shrinkage.."--- so maybe not preshrunk? I will find out then follow your instructions!

Sarah x

Thanks again Rex.

Forecast here seems ok for weekend so we will hopefully have a chance to put tent up and then dry out properly. Hoping it will be sunny and /or breezy so it dries quickly - I am worried about all the cats spraying on it!!!- If it's up overnight though me and the kids won't be able to resist sleeping in it so maybe that will keep them away!

Cheers, Sarah x