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: To treat a second hand canvas tent or not
Page:  1  2 Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonCaligula
10/11/2018 at 8:32am
 Location: Suffolk
 Outfit: Very variable View Caligula's Profile View Profile   Reply to Caligula Reply   Quote Caligula Quote  
Joined: 11/6/2016

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1272
Tent Reviews:   41
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: 2  
Site Reviews 2018: 1  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 8
Site Nights 2018: 5
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
 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
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
 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
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
 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
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
 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
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.


Advertisement



Personlidds0
10/11/2018 at 9:29am
 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
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
 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
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  
Joined: 06/11/2018

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   12
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: 2  
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: 2
Site Nights 2018: 0
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
 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
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  
Joined: 06/11/2018

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   12
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: 2  
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: 2
Site Nights 2018: 0
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


Advertisement



PersonSGThomas
12/11/2018 at 12:31pm
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View SGThomas's Profile View Profile   Reply to SGThomas Reply   Quote SGThomas Quote  
Joined: 16/10/2007

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6707
Tent Reviews:   1
Site Reviews Total: 116
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 4  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 15 
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 40
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 98
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  
Joined: 06/11/2018

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   12
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: 2  
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: 2
Site Nights 2018: 0
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.



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

  Prev       Next

Jump To Page:  1  2

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...

3630 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