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Subject Topic: 2nd hand Cabanon -cleaning & repair Post Reply Post New Topic
20/8/2018 at 11:43am
 Location: Hampshire
 Outfit: Cabanon
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Hi all;
I'm a long line lurker first time poster...

I've just acquired for (£15) a Cabanon tent (I think it's a mercure 500 but I'm struggling to verify this via the internet - any help appreciated in identifying it!).

As it's 2nd hand it's in a little bit of a state & needs a good clean / possibly some repair; including dealing with mould on the inner tent.

I've never owned a canvas tent like this before so have no idea what I can/should be doing or if it would be better to get someone to wash/clean it for me; but I don't know if it is possible for this type of tent...any recommendations also welcome!

I've popped some photos to show the state of it into a google drive folder :

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1-52i5QKDvrhlaXPsfUXk90OXu2qRY47V

All and any advice appreciated.

Confused 1st time canvas owner.

Post last edited on 20/08/2018 11:48:34


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20/8/2018 at 12:11pm
 Location: Yorkshire
 Outfit: None Entered
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Oh dear! Basically, I think it's fair to say that tent has had it. If you can, I'd take it back for a refund. It's eaten into the canvas in parts.

If you're absolutely determined to give it a go, however (I wouldn't!) then get the inner into the washing machine and put it through several cycles, ending with a water only (i.e. no added detergent) then get it on the line, preferably in bright sunlight to try and kill off any residual spores.

You've pitched the tent so now give it a good brush, then get the hose on it and brush again. Basically, you've got nothing to lose so give it a good going over with a stiffish hand brush (off a dustpan and brush set, for example). I'd do it inside and out, since the mildew infestation is widespread. Let it dry out and re-assess. Maybe try it again if you see any significant improvement.

People will doubtless be along and advise you to use Milton solution to attempt and get rid of the mound and mildew, only then you'd have to use a waterproofing agent, such as Fabsil, and I suspect it'll be a case of sending good money after bad and with little guarantee of success. Try the brush/clean water / sunshine route first, then re-assess would be my advice. Cotton canvas is breathable but put Fabsil on it and that'll be massively impaired, then you'll be having to re-apply it each year.

I'm guessing it stinks? Leave it pitched for a good while to see if that clears a bit after all the cleaning.

This isn't one of your better buys! Mouldy spores are potentially dangerous to health, so it's not just a matter of how bad it looks, at the end of the day.

I'd send the seller a link to your pics file, and politely request a refund. There are much better tents out there which don't pose a risk to health! Sorry if this sounds negative but canvas worn thin by mould and mildew is not a good prospect to be dealing with.



20/8/2018 at 1:31pm
 Location: North West
 Outfit: Obelink Familia 6; ESVO Bedouin 280
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It does need a bit of TLC, doesn't it?

I wrote most of this before I went on my lunch & forgot to hit "post".

I sort of agree with lidds, it looks pretty far gone. Anyway, back to my post...

The inner is the easiest bit to deal with since you can do what you want to it without effecting the waterproofing of the tent. Something like Milton solution will do - other (cheaper!) brands exist. I would put the inner up on the frame without the canvas on, which makes it easier to deal with. Then just spray it / sponge it with the diluted milton solution. Alternatively, you could use something like a clean bin or even a bath (careful of the clips scratching the surface) and just put the whole thing in and let it sit. [Not sure it would fit in a domestic washing machine, though!]

After giving it a good soak, rinse it really well a couple of times with clean water.

For the outer, pitch it and see how much you can get off with a brush. If parts of the canvas are really fragile, it's probably beyond saving. I would give it a really good soak with a hose. This will achieve a couple of things. It will give you a chance to see where it leaks (you might want someone else to spray it down while you stand inside). If canvas hasn't been wet for a while some mist might come through, which is probably OK, that will hopefully sort itself after the cotton fibres have had a chance to swell up a bit. If you have any drips, that might be a more problematic issue.

If the canvas does leak due to mould, I would spray the affected area with white vinegar (Milton will bleach it), rinse well and waterproof with something like Fabsil. You might need to do that every few years, though.

For other marks, use a soft-ish brush or sponge to scrub gently. Don't use detergent, since it will cause the canvas to leak.



20/8/2018 at 1:49pm
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I think it depends how you view this - as a project it'd be great to play and learn by doing with it. However I wouldn't take it on holiday without also taking a spare tent. Even when you have done everything to it you still need to bevsure it's all going to stay good and not let you down miles from home


Post last edited on 20/08/2018 14:10:07


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24/8/2018 at 11:20am
 Location: Sheffield
 Outfit: Cabanon Guadeloupe Zephyros3
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Lovely tent, shame it had been neglected and put away damp! As others have said, Milton solution or white vinegar will kill the mildew spores and prevent them spreading further, but it won't remove the marks, Vanish Gold will remove the marks but will affect the waterproofing ability of the cotton canvas. The fabric looks eaten through and is in need of a patch in some places. It will be difficult to source a matching fabric but you could start by trying Cabanon dealers. I have also bought tent canvas from ESVO the Dutch tent company so you could just go for a contrasting colour. Bell tent owners who fit a stove flue have to stitch the canvas so it IS possible to source a good canvas needle and thread. I would look for an online chandler store that does sail repair gear. So, despite the slightly gloomy responses, you could spend a further twenty on bits to repair it and you might just end up with a usable tent and lots of new skills.


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31/8/2018 at 10:45am
 Location: Hampshire
 Outfit: Cabanon
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Thanks all.
one of the reasons I wanted it cheap was because Its not a tent I'm planning on doing long holidays in. Its a test tent to see if I like camping in a LARP in-character environment...after which I may well be back for advice on best place for Dutch pyramid tents.

Following your comments I decided to contact a local tent maker/repairers who initially said the same as all of you based on the pictures but were happy to take a look at it 'in the flesh' so to speak!

The visit with the canvas established that my little tent apparently looks worse in the pictures due to my enthusiastic photography ><

Fortunately the professionals took a look at it and decided that it needs a couple of patches of repair (where the canvas is looking particularly thin) and possibly might want to spend the rest of its life being supported with some Fabsil.

I have been very fortunate to get some advice on the best way to do the minor repairs (including some pretty good matching patch fabric!) so this weekend will be an exercise in cleaning the tent and repairing the various bits & making a new bag...


31/8/2018 at 11:28pm
 Location: Sheffield
 Outfit: Cabanon Guadeloupe Zephyros3
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Glad to hear the good news. Can we have some "after" pics?


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01/9/2018 at 6:33am
 Location: Yorkshire
 Outfit: None Entered
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For some good matching canvas, check out your peg bag... Cabanon often would use the same fabric as the tent.

Best of luck with it!



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