We're going to re-proof our 7 year old Outwell Vermont(L) this weekend with Fabisil. It says on the tin to paint on with a brush. We won't be able to reach the roof like this so just wondering if anyone has tried it with a roller??? I've seen someone else say they used a microfibre mop too?! We haven't bought the stuff yet so no idea or how thick the mixture is.
And *stupid question alert* do we need to do the sides or just the roof as it's only the roof that gets soggy?!
Any ideas gratefully received. We're going to be on a campsite so won't have the usual ladders, etc. with us.
Thanks in advance!
Tracy
------------- Very green at camping but full of enthusiasm!!!! :OP
Hi. We did the whole tent, not windows. We bought a garden pump sprayer. Filledait with Fabisil. Did a great job. Just buy a new one don't risk using one that has had weed killer in!!!!!!
Whole tent. Once the top's re-proofed, the rain will run off it onto the sides, see? And you do get driving horizontal rain sometimes too.
We could use a brush because with our tent we could put it half way up & thereby reach the top, then put it up fully & do the rest. A brush lets you get round any fiddly bits.
As already mentioned...erect it minus the lower sections of leg so it is sitting on the upper sections (not pinned of course). You will then be able to reach the roof. Then fit the lower legs and do the rest.
I am always a little suspicious when people say their tents are leaking through the roof though. Are you sure it is not just condensation or leaking seams where the tape has failed?
All Fabsil does is cover the outer with a layer of silicon which causes rain water to bead and run off. The actual waterproofing of a polyester tent is the inner lamination of polyurethane. If that has failed you really need a new tent.
Quote: Originally posted by kate w on 26/5/2017
It does evaporate as you're using it so don't tip too much out of the tin at one time. Wouldn't be such a problem if using a garden sprayer.
And try not to breath in the fumes. I felt ill for a couple of days after doing my tent and must have breathed in too much...waterproofed my lungs!!
I think a roller would be less effective than a brush. And Fabsil is very watery, a roller could cause lots of splashes thus being both wasteful and killing off patches of your lawn!
Sure we had a Fabsil spray?. Sprayed parts of top on the floor then erected the tent. Only ever sprayed it once after about 4 years. Condensation can be a problem but thats a different thing.