Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Advent Calendar

Advertisement

Message Forums

Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
  Camping under canvas
Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: Which Waterproofer? Post Reply Post New Topic
28/6/2012 at 11:27am
 Location: Northants
 Outfit: Skandika Gotland
View SteveGoulding's Profile View Profile   Reply to SteveGoulding Reply   Quote SteveGoulding Quote  
Joined: 25/7/2007

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   5
Tent Reviews:   2

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Hi,

I have just returned from an horrendous week's camping trip in North Devon during which all the wind-facing doors and windows let in rain. This was undoubtedly due to the wind buffeting the polyester fabric (5m head!!) against the insect screens. This was not wind blown rain getting under the bottoms of windows etc, nor leaky seams - I could actually see dark patches in the polyester that were dripping water! This is only the second time I have used the tent ,which is just over a year old.

As I feel the need to do some preventative waterproofing for the future, can anyone advise on a suitable waterproofing substance? I see from previous posts on this subject that Fabsil is frequently mentioned, but isn't this water based? In which case won't it just run-off the polyester?

Also, should waterproofing be applied to the inner surface, the outer surface, or both surfaces?

Many thanks



28/6/2012 at 11:46am
 Location: Leigh Lancs
 Outfit: Vango Coleman High Gear
View DaveP65's Profile View Profile   Reply to DaveP65 Reply   Quote DaveP65 Quote  
Joined: 20/5/2008

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   649
Tent Reviews:   12

Site Reviews Total: 10
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

I always use fabsil applied to the outer surface.

-------------



28/6/2012 at 12:56pm
 Location: County Durham
 Outfit: Explore 304
View shaggy2000's Profile View Profile   Reply to shaggy2000 Reply   Quote shaggy2000 Quote  
Joined: 27/3/2012

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   514
Tent Reviews:   1

Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

I used the Fabsil that comes in a can (you can get spray on Fabsil) and painted it on to the tent, in my opinion this is one of the best ways to "re-proof" your tent as the spray on would just sit on top of the material. 

With the paint on kind I would think it has chance to soak into the material and therefore create a better waterproof barrier, at least thats my theory anyway.



28/6/2012 at 2:00pm
 Location: Hertfordshire
 Outfit: Anything I like !!!
View Cross Camping's Profile View Profile   Reply to Cross Camping Reply   Quote Cross Camping Quote  
Joined: 20/6/2007

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3073

Site Reviews Total: 4
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

There's a brand called Storm and this stuff is great, it has smaller molecules (not sure of the spelling) than Fabsil so gets further into polyester fabrics.


28/6/2012 at 2:27pm
 Location: Shropshire
 Outfit: Vango Maritsa 700
View shelleyloliver's Profile View Profile   Reply to shelleyloliver Reply   Quote shelleyloliver Quote  
Joined: 11/3/2008

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   183
Tent Reviews:   1

Site Reviews Total: 10
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Agree with Gary at Cross Camping, he sent me a small tube of Storm for our leaky tent. We had exactly the same problem in June with leaks from strong winds against the doors and windows, nothing major, but I dried area and put some of the Storm stuff on and no more leaks, great stuff.


Advertisement



28/6/2012 at 4:01pm
 Location: North Hertfordshire
 Outfit: Filey 6 Sherpa 3 Force 10 Mk3
View pwatson's Profile View Profile   Reply to pwatson Reply   Quote pwatson Quote  
Joined: 04/2/2007

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   325
Tent Reviews:   2

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

I've recently bought an old Vango Force 10 CN (Nylon flysheet) and the original proofing is completely shot.

I painted it with Storm but found that it evaporated very quickly during application - Probably should have sprayed it instead. When it next rained the flysheet leaked in places (possibly due to my poor application/bits missed) but I've since bought some Fabsil and sprayed it with that. I worked the sprayed liquid into the fabric with a paintbrush.

It was forecast to rain here today so I put the tent up for a test - Predictably it's been bright sunshine ever since!

I would test it with a hose but we've still got a ban...


15/11/2012 at 1:23am
 Location: northwest
 Outfit: one man hooped bivvie
View lescargo's Profile View Profile   Reply to lescargo Reply   Quote lescargo Quote  
Joined: 06/8/2009

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   62
Tent Reviews:   4

Site Reviews Total: 5
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Pwatson, I have exactly the same problem, emailed vango and they recommend storm, well It's one of there products.
I did one side of tent in storm and one in fabsil. Both were sprayed in water spray bottle. The fabsil covered the most area per fluid. The difference is negligible. Neither side are still. 100% waterproof.

-------------
Slowly carrying its home on its back


15/11/2012 at 5:28pm
 Location: Aston Clinton
 Outfit: Kampa Holkham + Outwell Yukon River*
View arsenaldes's Profile View Profile   Reply to arsenaldes Reply   Quote arsenaldes Quote  
Joined: 13/6/2010

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   5090
Tent Reviews:   12

Site Reviews Total: 4
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

All the Fabsil ive seen is Spirit based


15/11/2012 at 6:07pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered
View suns's Profile View Profile   Reply to suns Reply   Quote suns Quote  
Joined: 14/8/2003

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4592

Site Reviews Total: 13
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 1  
Site Reviews 2021: 1  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 3
Site Nights 2021: 3
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Quote: Originally posted by arsenaldes on 15/11/2012
All the Fabsil ive seen is Spirit based



hi, what difference does it make if its spirit based?Thanks


16/11/2012 at 5:18pm
 Location: Aston Clinton
 Outfit: Kampa Holkham + Outwell Yukon River*
View arsenaldes's Profile View Profile   Reply to arsenaldes Reply   Quote arsenaldes Quote  
Joined: 13/6/2010

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   5090
Tent Reviews:   12

Site Reviews Total: 4
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Fabsil is applied to dry fabric and I believe water based [Nikwax] is applied to wet fabric otherwise both do the same job but Fabsil dries quicker being spirit based. OP thought Fabsil was water based would not work on polyester


Advertisement



18/11/2012 at 7:58pm
 Location: Leeds
 Outfit: Vango diablo 400
View cmes's Profile View Profile   Reply to cmes Reply   Quote cmes Quote  
Joined: 09/8/2012

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   264
Tent Reviews:   3

Site Reviews Total: 5
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

I used fabsil before I went out on the soggiest weekend away. Worked okay for me. My difficulty was painting the thing on and making sure my edges didn't dry, in the only warm day of summer.

-------------
47 and only just learned how to work a sleeping bag



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Camping under canvas - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...














3847 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Recommend to Friend  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Shop!]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Contact Us]  [Tent Reviews



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024


Advertisement


Advertisement


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar


Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Open Today's Window