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I used Graingers Tent Cleaner on our previously ill treated Cabanon when we first bought it, then used Fabsil to reproof it. There were numerous grease splashes around the kitchen area. This did the trick. However, if there are two big patches of grease on yours, you could maybe try cleaning those areas with Fairy Liquid, and then reproof.

This is only my suggestion, it may not be the right thing to do, so wait until other canvas tent owners comment on it first.

NOT detergent ie Fairy Liquid. You'll never get detergent residue out the canvas and it will leak forever. Use either a soap based tent cleaner like Graingers or pure soap and water. Malke sure you do both sides and try blotting with old towels too (one of you on each side with pads of towels, trying to blot out whatever it is. You'll also need to rinse really well no matter what you use...and by that I mean hosepipe and rinse six or eight times, then a bit more. Repeat the cleaning and rinsing if necessary. Allow to dry then use paint on Fabsil or Thompson's Water Seal, two or three thin coats, allowing each to totally dry before the next one.

If there's the slightest trace of grease or soap residue left in the canvas the proofer won't take properly, btw, so good washing and rinsing is vital.

If the above doesn't work you can either get the panel(s) replaced or patched. There's no real point in getting the whole tent reproofed though unless it's leaking there too.

Quote: Originally posted by Valk_scot on 06/3/2010

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NOT detergent ie Fairy Liquid. You'll never get detergent residue out the canvas and it will leak forever. Use either a soap based tent cleaner like Graingers or pure soap and water. Malke sure you do both sides and try blotting with old towels too (one of you on each side with pads of towels, trying to blot out whatever it is. You'll also need to rinse really well no matter what you use...and by that I mean hosepipe and rinse six or eight times, then a bit more. Repeat the cleaning and rinsing if necessary. Allow to dry then use paint on Fabsil or Thompson's Water Seal, two or three thin coats, allowing each to totally dry before the next one.

If there's the slightest trace of grease or soap residue left in the canvas the proofer won't take properly, btw, so good washing and rinsing is vital.

If the above doesn't work you can either get the panel(s) replaced or patched. There's no real point in getting the whole tent reproofed though unless it's leaking there too.

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Quote: Originally posted by cornishcamper41 on 06/3/2010

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thanks val....any idea how where i can get the replacement or patch. can it be a diy job.

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DIY? It depends. You can get decent canvas by the metre and sew it in yourself but you'd need a heavyweight sewing machine (old treadle is ideal here!!), good sewing skills and most importantly you need to be able to actually reach the area needing patching. If it's near an edge or by a doorway, good. Roof? Forget it. I can do all of the above and even have access to an industrial long arm sewing machine but even I wouldn't try to patch a roof or upper side panel.

Tent Valeting Services can replace or repair anything, or can supply canvas. Or ask at your local camping shop for a local tent repair specialist or sailmaker. It's a perfectly acceptable thing for a canvas tent to need repairs now and again so the knowledge is out there.

Final tips. If budget is paramount, find another old canvas tent and use that for patching materials. Or if the patches required are small, is your pole bag perhaps made of offcuts of the same canvas? (It's done...that's what I used to patch my Conway TT.) If you do use new canvas. soak it well in cold water (no soap) and dry it out a couple of times to weather it and take out shrinkage before patching. Use strong sailmakers cotton or cotton/polyester thread and a denim needle on your machine. After patching, soak the whole thing down again with plain water and alow to dry. It shouldn't need Fabsil if you've used the right materials but carry a can just in case.

Try cleaning and reproofing the patches again first though, as per above. It's a darn sight easier to clean a tent than patch it.

Quote: Originally posted by dadsbeaniemad on 06/3/2010

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Hi Val - nice to see you again

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Nice to be back!