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: Canvas Bell, Milton or Fabsil? Post Reply Post New Topic
24/1/2017 at 9:59am
 Location: Yorkshire
 Outfit: SoulPad 4000 Hybrid
View Houdini's Profile View Profile   Reply to Houdini Reply   Quote Houdini Quote  
Joined: 24/1/2017

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   5

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 all,

I've been lurking a while and decided to join in on the fun here seeing as I have a query I noted has been asked a lot previously but, I'm still undecided.

I've recently acquired a SoulPad 400 Hybrid second hand, it's hasn't been stored correctly over winter and some mildew has built up. If I knew this before collecting I probably would have stayed clear!

The glamping site vendor said it had been well looked after and treat with waterproofing regularly!
Now knowing this I know I'll have to re-proof with my own (fabsil branded proofing) but, to remove the mildew stains would a milton solution suffice with soft brush or should I source the Fabsil universal cleaner and soak?

I've hoovered the canvas to hopefully remove the remaining spores until better weather arrives and I can errect the tent and start the maintenance job.

Thanks

-------------
SoulPad 4000 Hybrid
Gelert Corona 6
Quechua 2 Seconds XL Air III


24/1/2017 at 6:00pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View marg6's Profile View Profile   Reply to marg6 Reply   Quote marg6 Quote  
Joined: 11/8/2016

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3126

Site Reviews Total: 3
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 3  
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: 15
Site Nights 2018: 0

your best off rubbing it with lemon juice and then let it soak for a few hours and then leaving to dry

so did you buy this off ebay? if so when? because if he hasn't said anything about the mildew then you can get it refunded esp if he is a business


25/1/2017 at 7:59am
 Location: North West
 Outfit: Hartford xl tardis
View Campy C's Profile View Profile   Reply to Campy C Reply   Quote Campy C Quote  
Joined: 26/4/2010

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   332

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

Mildew is a bitch to get rid of especially on canvas but both lemon juice or Milton will suffice, you can get a good mildew killer and cleaner from Wilkos that has chlorine bleach in it - really good stuff but be careful with it.


25/1/2017 at 11:24am
 Location: Yorkshire
 Outfit: SoulPad 4000 Hybrid
View Houdini's Profile View Profile   Reply to Houdini Reply   Quote Houdini Quote  
Joined: 24/1/2017

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   5

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

Thanks for the info, I was in the understanding that anything like a detergent will damage the canvas so will be trying Milton and elbow grease. Will lemon juice help with stain removal or just there to kill the mildew?

Yes I bought this from eBay, they have 3 more to sell and no mention of the mildew issue - "well looked after on a professional glamping site" needless to say I've accepted a partial refund for the maintenance products and accepted I've got a lot of work to do to get it back into good condidition. So far I've only hoovered it to prevent further spores from spreading until I can get it up and get some elbow grease on it...

-------------
SoulPad 4000 Hybrid
Gelert Corona 6
Quechua 2 Seconds XL Air III


25/1/2017 at 12:24pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View marg6's Profile View Profile   Reply to marg6 Reply   Quote marg6 Quote  
Joined: 11/8/2016

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3126

Site Reviews Total: 3
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 3  
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: 15
Site Nights 2018: 0

yes lemon will lighten the stain and wont cause any damage i.e. rot, Milton tho unless used with extreme care could do, esp if you didn't rinse well enough

once you have done all that, you might find you need to fasil it, only do that once you have checked for any leaks, put the tent up and use a hose pipe on it for a good amount of time and then leave to dry out fully, if leaks have appeared after letting it dry out, repeat the soaking again, it may just have swollen the fibres up enough on the second soaking and save you a lot of cash on buying fabsil,

under no circumstances do you use any detergent on the tent, the lemon juice will also help breakdown any grease marks too


Advertisement



25/1/2017 at 3:25pm
 Location: Yorkshire
 Outfit: SoulPad 4000 Hybrid
View Houdini's Profile View Profile   Reply to Houdini Reply   Quote Houdini Quote  
Joined: 24/1/2017

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   5

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

Brilliant news, I was intending on using the Fabsil Universal Cleaner product and then using the paint on Fabsil Proofer as I'd have cleaned the original protection off but, I've read mixed reviews on the Universal Cleaner not living up to expectations and stains not shifting.

Is it a water/lemon solution you're suggesting? And should I just put the tent up and try that before doing anything drastic with Milton bath type sterilising, I don't really want the mildew to come back with a vengance once packed away again.

Suppose I've got a long time to plan my attack as it seems like forever until we'll be getting nicer weather.

I may even try doing a pannel of canvas a day in the house just to get a head start on it.. Would it be sufficient just to wipe off the lemon with a wet cloth or will it need rinsing off thoroughly also?

Super eager to take the tent for a test run, bit of an upgrade from my old Gelert Corona I had previously

Also looking at a massive tarp groundsheet, the footprints are very expensive as are the inner tents! May have to try use the inner from the Gelert until I can afford a proper belltent one!

-------------
SoulPad 4000 Hybrid
Gelert Corona 6
Quechua 2 Seconds XL Air III


25/1/2017 at 10:55pm
 Location: Yorkshire
 Outfit: None Entered
View lidds0's Profile View Profile   Reply to lidds0 Reply   Quote lidds0 Quote  
Joined: 24/8/2009

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4494

Site Reviews Total: 57
Site Reviews 2024: 7  
Site Reviews 2023: 10 
Site Reviews 2022: 1  
Site Reviews 2021: 4  
Site Reviews 2020: 1  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 8  
Site Nights 2024: 37
Site Nights 2023: 48
Site Nights 2022: 20
Site Nights 2021: 9
Site Nights 2020: 2
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 8

Is the mildew extensive?

If the canvas has been treated with Fabsil (or similar) you're going to have to re-treat at regular intervals.

If it was mine, I'd pitch it - regardless of it not being sunny and warm - to check it all out properly and assess. Clean as much as you can with plain warm water and a new, clean sponge, then wipe it over with old towels (which have no trace of soap on, or in them). A good airing and a bit of sunlight - however feeble - will help.

I'm not sure I'd be rushing to put lemon juice on any canvas I own, and I'd definitely not be applying it over an entire panel. If the mildew is really bad, I'd be insisting on a refund.


26/1/2017 at 3:25pm
 Location: Yorkshire
 Outfit: SoulPad 4000 Hybrid
View Houdini's Profile View Profile   Reply to Houdini Reply   Quote Houdini Quote  
Joined: 24/1/2017

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   5

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

Just the odd patch that's still got a fair bit and not half as bad now I've hoovered the canvas thoroughly. I'd post a picture but, the forum seems a bit limited and can only link one... it's mainly now the edging that 'floats' around the roof section of the tent with the offending staining.

I was highly annoyed as I believe they may have been selling them thinking people weren't going to be getting it out until better weather so wouldn't notice.

Weather dependant I'll try pop it up over the weekend!

-------------
SoulPad 4000 Hybrid
Gelert Corona 6
Quechua 2 Seconds XL Air III


26/1/2017 at 4:05pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View marg6's Profile View Profile   Reply to marg6 Reply   Quote marg6 Quote  
Joined: 11/8/2016

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3126

Site Reviews Total: 3
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 3  
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: 15
Site Nights 2018: 0

try and get it up tomorrow, rain is forecast but sunday is meant to be sunny and dry although very cold


27/1/2017 at 1:34pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View Bob61's Profile View Profile   Reply to Bob61 Reply   Quote Bob61 Quote  
Joined: 23/8/2009

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   10276
Tent Reviews:   4

Site Reviews Total: 28
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 2  
Site Reviews 2018: 2  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 4
Site Nights 2018: 3

There will always be lots of different advice when it comes to cleaning or waterproofing a tent and I have to admit that I know little about canvas tents. Many moons ago when canvas tents were all you could get we didn't bother too much about how clean it was. They all had a distinctive smell which in it's own way was exciting because it was the smell of camping. Looking back, it could well have been mildew but once erected on a hot day the sun took care of all that and the smell mostly disappeared...until you next got it out of it's bag!

So...my take on canvas tents such as it is. The reason canvas doesn't leak is because when it rains the fibres swell with water which closes the microscopic pores within the canvas. The pores don't close up completely but the water then forms a seal over them, like a bubble, which prevents further water penetration. If you touch the inside of a canvas tent it breaks this water seal and water leaks through until it has dried out and then the process starts again.

As far as I understand it, if you spray a canvas tent with Fabsil, which is a silicon, it covers the fibres and stops water soaking into them, thus preventing the natural waterproofing process of the canvas. It will also fill the microscopic pores and prevent water penetration but not for long as it easily wears off...hence the need to keep spraying it with Fabsil once started. Chemical detergents may well have the same affect of clogging the fibres and will probably wash off any Fabsil.

My advice would be to clean the stained area with ordinary water and a bit of elbow grease and let the sun do the rest when we get some. A few stains, marks and scars on a tent might show the owner has been around the block a few times.

I don't know what the pros and cons would be regarding lemon juice (an acid) or Milton (mild bleach) or mould and mildew cleaner (strong bleach) but before doing anything I would take the advice already given...erect it, spray with a hose or leave the rain to do that for you, then look for any leaks. Let it dry then repeat the process and you may find it doesn't need treating at all.

The same applies to brand new polyester tent which leaks at the seams. Quite often that is because the stitching has dried out due to it being stored in a warehouse somewhere for a long time. Once the stitching has been 'watered' and fills the stitch holes the leaks never happen again.

But, after all that, perhaps the best people to ask are the canvas tent manufacturers who should be able to tell you everything you need to know if you give them a ring or email.



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...














5743 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

Request a Reminder