Tent Waterproofing

“The rainfly of my trusty old Diamond Brand Timberline is finally in need of a new waterproofing treatment. I use this tent as a spare, and recently loaned it to a friend, who was dripped on all night in a storm.

I plan to seal the seams, as well as apply a new DWR. The two products I have purchased for doing this are McNett's Seam Sure and Granger's G-Line Tent/Gear UV Waterproofing Spray. The salesperson advised applying the Waterproofing first, and then sealing the seams. I am, however, somewhat dubious of this approach because I would think that the DWR would prevent the seam sealer from fully running down into the folds of the fabric and stitching.

Does anyone have any expertise or experience that could help”

“Recoat 3 from Campmor. Works great.

Good luck,

Doug”

“I've used the grangers. It is OK. However, if this fly is a urethane coated fly, I'd use a replacement urethane coating like this...

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=12390&memberId=12500226&storeId=226&catalogId=40000000226&langId=-1

I think it will be more permanent than what you are describing and stand up to the greater abuse that a fly takes. It should handle both the seam sealing and the waterproofing factor for the fly.”

“Just curious...does the Kenyon product leave a chemical odor? That was one of the motivators for the products I chose.”

“I used the Kenyon Recoat 3 on a rainfly of an old tent and it didn't leave an odor once it dried, but it really had a strong odor during application. I'd never use it again. Between the stink, the weight it added to the fly, the fact that it didn't work very well, it's easier just to buy a new tent. Oh, and it needed to two coats too.
last edited: 1/28/08 1:26:11 PM”

“So, we have differing opinions. I must admit that Kenyon's low-tech website wasn't very encouraging.

Anyone care to weigh in on other products that worked well?”

“How about something that works on silnylon?”

“uh how do you k now what your tent was orignally coated in to waterproof it? I have an REI quarter dome...any clue?”

“It's pretty difficult to duplicate the original poly coat on nylon that was applied at the factory with machines and under ideal conditions. If the coating has peeled off or is leaking on the rainfly the tent floor probably isn't far behind, if it's not leaking already. Applying something with a paintbrush isn't the same as a factory coating. That's my reasoning for just tossing an old tent and buying a new one.”

“My tents not old....and granted, I'm not sure the ground cloth I was using was all the way under my tent floor, but the last time I used it in snow, there was some wetness on the inside of floor of my tent. I'd really like to NOT duplicate that on my next winter snowy trip....”

“I'll take a closer look at it when I get home tonight, but I'm pretty sure it's a urethane coating. I'ts not leaking badly; only at the seams, but I figured while I was at it, I might as weel retreat the entire rain sheet.”

“Not sure about applications...

However, I highly recommend carrying at least 2 army surplus PONCHO's...

These are very useful... Can wear it over your pack if hiking in the rain... Can make a nice little place to get outta the rain/wind/snow...

Can also be used as an impromptu rainfly...

Kinda heavy, but very versitile.”

“In the past I've used the kiwi "camp dry" or something like that. I've used it to waterproof field jackets, non-goretex boots, and my old tent fly. I used that tent a lot but now the coating is peeling on the underside of the fly. I wonder if the camp dry did it.

I worked very well but I wonder if it could damage coated fabrics. Is there some reason why one would choose the newfangled dwr finishes over the old camp dry spray?

I used revivex spray on a couple of windshirts and it really worked well. Of course you need to be able to put the stuff in a dryer.

I figure sooner or later I will want to refinish my tent flys and don't want to mess them up.”