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We've always used Fabsil and found it excellent. We used to have to re-proof various bits of our ancient Telt Larsen cotton, (and oh so heavy), awning with it virtually after every use if it rained while we were away and one time we had to pack it away wet so the w-h-o-l-e thing needed to be re-proofed on our return. Hubby fixed three metal loops into the outside of the garage wall in our garden to assemble the awning and bought the largest thing of it and a spray thingy that fitted onto it too, but if we had to that again, I reckon he'd be just as good using a defunt spray bottle like other peeps have suggested.

We've always got a spray can of Fabsil with us when we're away, just incase and nine times out of ten we'll need it for one bit of the roof or other even with our 3 year old awning

Quote: Originally posted by force ten on 07/9/2008

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for anybody that is thinking of using thompsons water seal on a tent I suggest that you first go and look at the thompsons website to see if it is suitable fro use on canvas let alone a synthetic tent

Thompsons water seal

 

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As far as I can see it just says not suitable for fabric under pressure which would be true for fabsil or any other product as well.

Many people have been using Thompsons for years as it is so much cheaper than nik wax and fabsil and is equally effective, where it does have a problem is in the higher wax content that can give a silvery look to your canvas but it is this higher wax content that makes it better for older well worn canvas that other more well known products struggle to proof.

As with all products always check on a small out of the way corner first 

Quote: Originally posted by PigletandTigger on 07/9/2008

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I think we have to be careful what we are talking about here.   Plenty of folks fabsil or Thompsons their CANVAS (as in cotton canvas) with few problems.

I'm not sure it's entirely appropriate to do the same to a plastic tent where the waterproofing is provided by a bonded fabric rather than by the natural action of the canvas.

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Good point which is why I recomend testing on small corner first personally I would only use it on canvas

Trailer tenters have been using Thompsons Water Seal to proof their cotton canvas for years. You need a lot of product to proof the average TT so any saving in cash is worth it! However there's a split in opinion over whether good quality cotton canvas actually needs proofing till very old and worn, but that's a dfferent arguement.

Synthetic canvas doesn't need reproofed at all, untill it gets really old/has reached its max dose of UV exposure  and starts to delaminate. At which point, buying another tent is a better option unless the old tent is some fabulously expensive mountain model. Any synthetic tent canvas with an HH of 1500 or over does not need reproofing unless something really nasty...like mould....has attacked it. If you've got a tarp that leaks when it's not pitched taut enough then it would be better to invest in some Clingons and spare guylines and pitch it tauter, with a degree of runoff.