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From a personal perspective...as I have just helped a new member  purchase a Cabanon Canvas Frame tent secondhand from Ebay...which she has just done. I notice that the phrase 'waterproofing' has already been used in her latest message, though in fact she has yet to erect the tent for the first time. So I will pre-empt her next post! To the issue...probably one of the most controversial discussions on the site, as I constantly see people mention re-proofing...Fabsil etc... in relation to Canvas tents...In fact Albion Canvas recommend  NIKWAX Cottonproof for treating canvas as this maintains breathability whislt increasing water repellency and the product is water based with no fluro Carbons.

Can we try to reach a general consensus.?

Do Canvas tents need waterproofing, re-proofing etc and if so what are the methods of doing this? I specifically mean treating the Canvas, not re-weathering by soaking with water.

Would there be any consequences of this treatment?

Do Canvas tents suffer from seam leakage problems similar to Synthetics and how do you treat these problems?

And finally, here is a reply to one of my posts recently, which I have no idea if it's correct or not? What would be your opinions please...

This was my statement in relation to Canvas tents...

..".Some traditional cotton tents, Cabanons, Vango Force 10 mountain tents, canvas bell tents etc..are not coated at all, purely relying on the cotton threads swelling when wet and therefore becoming water resistant".

and here was a reply...

"As far as I know Cabanon canvas is treated, though I think it maybe the actual thread that is treated prior to it being woven into canvas"?

I look forward to a rumbustious discussion!

Having been in the trade so to speak I can tell you all cotton canvas tents are treated from new most of the good makes will not need reproofing for at least ten years depending on how much camping you do and how much sun your tent is exposed to, UV is the killer not of the canvas so much although it does weaken it slightly over time but of the waterproofing agent.

Most waterproofing agents are Hygroscopic they allow the fibres to absorb moisture but repell large drops, nikowax and thomsons water seal tend to leave more of a waxy residue than fabsil which is why I prefer them for older canvas that needs a little more help.

As regards newer materials you will need someone else for that as I left before most of the new stuff came in most of which I regard as only being fit for play tents 

I agree with Romany.

I used Travis Perkins Water Seal on my first Combi Camp as it leaked like a sieve the first time I used it. After I'd done it, it withstood torrential rains and wind with no problems.

My second Combi - previous owner said it was waterproof so I didn't touch it at first, but this weekend was very wet as you know, there was one leaky bit so I've Fabsilled that bit only.

I don't believe modern nylon tents can be waterproofed - the proofing is in the inside plasticky layer, once that has cracked it's done for.

Thank you guys..useful info

"As regards newer materials you will need someone else for that as I left before most of the new stuff came in most of which I regard as only being fit for play tents"

Hee hee Romany!  ...I feel a fight coming on...I'll hold your coat!

Things to ask about second hand cotton tents.

To Seller. Has it been waterproofed in the past? If so, when? If more than five years ago it will probably need redone. Pitch tent, hose down, check.

Never been proofed? Pitch tent, hose down. If it doesn't leak, you're home and dry. (!) Rejoice!!!

If it does leak, give it a good soak, let it dry well then hose down again. (This is weathering/reweathering.) Does not leak? Happy days. Leave it alone. If it still leaks, then you'll need to proof it. This especially applies if the canvas is quite old and threadbare.

Other points.

Seams are the least likely places a cotton canvas tent will leak, unless they've been sewn with the wrong thread or are badly pulled. Cotton canvas is most likely to leak at a pressure point or if it gets very saturated and starts to droop in at the roof, it will leak from the accumulated puddle. Or if it's been stained with something that breaks the waterproofing, or cleaned with detergent, or soap that hasn't been rinsed out properly. Or is just getting old and thin.

It may only leak in patches. If the canvas is discoloured at these points you'll probably need to use a good cleaner before proofing. Otherwise you can probably get away with a good brush down (when dry) and sponging mud stains off.

Yes, it works by the fibres wetting and swelling up. They don't do this after proofing, relying instead on the silicon coating. If the first mechanism is still working, why go to time and expense to replace it with another that will then need redoing every few years and which takes time, effort and money? Wait untill it needs it.

Finally, modern canvas. The good brands (Cabanon, Ten Cate, Marachel etc) are as good as ever they were. There's a lot of cheaper, unbranded, lesser quality canvas around these days though. If you buy or inherit an older tent of a quality make which is also badged as to canvas, you're probably going to be lucky unless it's been neglected.

As an example of all the above, go look at the Conway TT on my profile pix. 21 years old, made of Cabanon canvas, never been cleaned with anything except brush and water, never been proofed, has never leaked a drop when pitched correctly. Been through the Great Loire Storm and several horrific monsoons...and still the best tent I own, by a long way.