waterproofing canvas boat cover
- Thread starter wis boz
- Start date
Dwight Flanders Jr
Member
Camp Dry works good for me.
Matt_n_Barb
Well-known member
I have used Thompson Waterseal. I put it in a weed sprayer, set the canvas object up (tent, awning, or??) and lightly spray the roof and most critical areas. Then you leave it set up to dry for a few days. I would also use the spray cans of Camp Dry to just spray critical seams after the Thompsons has dried and the smell left.
On my wall tents and other canvas object a treatment would last 3-4 years with 60-70 days of use a year. I was outfitting big game hunts through the 80's.
Lou mentioned a specific waterproofing made for canvas - I had a can of something like that at one time but I can not remember how well it worked as I just ended up using the Thompson as you could get it at the local hardware store.
Matt
On my wall tents and other canvas object a treatment would last 3-4 years with 60-70 days of use a year. I was outfitting big game hunts through the 80's.
Lou mentioned a specific waterproofing made for canvas - I had a can of something like that at one time but I can not remember how well it worked as I just ended up using the Thompson as you could get it at the local hardware store.
Matt
Tom Scholberg
Well-known member
Wis, I also have had good luck with Thompson's also have used it on paper maps to waterproof. Not a good deck seal though. Especially if you have a lot of canvas to do try the Thompson's. Good Luck.
Matt Cottingham
Member
Wiz
my summer time hobby between duck hunting is WWII military vehicles on all of my canvas I use a product called Canvak. i googled it and Cabelas carries it it helps with mildew and water proofing i get mine from wee bee webbing but there are other places as well but i have done the thompsons trick to but the smell tends to linger
my summer time hobby between duck hunting is WWII military vehicles on all of my canvas I use a product called Canvak. i googled it and Cabelas carries it it helps with mildew and water proofing i get mine from wee bee webbing but there are other places as well but i have done the thompsons trick to but the smell tends to linger
Bill McAdam
Active member
I got this Rx from Mother Earth News. I think I may be the guy who started the thread back in 2003.
Linseed oil, when applied to canvas, makes it stiff, Bill. But you can start with a ratio of 2 parts (by volume) oil and one part wax. This will produce a cream, a little thinner than commercial shoe wax. If you want it thinner, up the percentage of oil.
You might consider neetsfoot oil as a substitute, because it doesn''t stiffen up the way the linseed does.
In either case, heat the oil in a double boiler. Add the wax, and gently stir until the wax is melted. Immediately remove it from the heat, and stir, from time to time, until it thickens up.
Let it sit overnight, because an oil/wax mixture gets thicker as it cures.
I assume this is for a groundcloth or some such? Canvas that won''t be in contact with the ground (such as for tents, dining flys, and the like) doesn''t really need to be waterproofed at all. What happens is that the individual threads swell and seal the whole fabric, so water doesn''t penetrate.
A driving rain will sometimes pass through, in the form of a fine mist. And if you touch the canvas it will leak due to capillary action. But over all, a canvas tent or fly will keep you dry under most conditions.
Linseed oil, when applied to canvas, makes it stiff, Bill. But you can start with a ratio of 2 parts (by volume) oil and one part wax. This will produce a cream, a little thinner than commercial shoe wax. If you want it thinner, up the percentage of oil.
You might consider neetsfoot oil as a substitute, because it doesn''t stiffen up the way the linseed does.
In either case, heat the oil in a double boiler. Add the wax, and gently stir until the wax is melted. Immediately remove it from the heat, and stir, from time to time, until it thickens up.
Let it sit overnight, because an oil/wax mixture gets thicker as it cures.
I assume this is for a groundcloth or some such? Canvas that won''t be in contact with the ground (such as for tents, dining flys, and the like) doesn''t really need to be waterproofed at all. What happens is that the individual threads swell and seal the whole fabric, so water doesn''t penetrate.
A driving rain will sometimes pass through, in the form of a fine mist. And if you touch the canvas it will leak due to capillary action. But over all, a canvas tent or fly will keep you dry under most conditions.
Kevin Harrington
Well-known member
Aquaseal from a boat canvas dealer. Sealed up my 25 yr old boat canvas for 2 more yrs. Worked great. Good luck
Bill McQuade
Active member
Boy that looks like an M51 that I drove when in the military.
. I had a jeep overseas (WWII) that our aircraft mechanics souped up and enclosed it with astro windows on the side. I could beat any MP's on the airstrip.