Tarp water proofing

[WX]

Re: Tarp water proofing

Is there a mix ratio for this method?

Bump.

[coelcanth]

Re: Tarp water proofing

lots of people doing this on DIY backpacking or bushcraft forums

I see ratios around 5:1 mentioned

search terms like 'homemade or DIY silnylon' for more info

[stromborg]

Re: Tarp water proofing

Waxed cotton canvas using bees wax or paraffin as the waterproofing agent is widely available these days, sold by the yard. Avoids having to create a toxic soup requiring haz-mat disposal when you are done with the project.

[Dave Hadfield]

Re: Tarp water proofing

You can buy canvas waterproofer, or a similar product for synthetic tarps and tents, here in Canada at hardware stores.

Woods Canvas Waterproofing Fluid For Camping Tents, Tarps & Outdoor Gear, 3.78-L | Canadian Tire

[WX]

Re: Tarp water proofing

lots of people doing this on DIY backpacking or bushcraft forums

I see ratios around 5:1 mentioned

search terms like 'homemade or DIY silnylon' for more info

Thank you.

[WX]

Re: Tarp water proofing

I don't really want to buy more material as I already have more than I know what to do with.

[J.Madison]

Re: Tarp water proofing

Pretty sure that synthetic waterproofing liquid is made from PFAS or other toxic forever chemicals. Its basically liquid teflon, causes cancer, and never breaks down in the environment. It eventually leaches into the water table and we all drink it.

The can doesn't say what it actually is, but does say "extreme danger."

[stromborg]

Re: Tarp water proofing

PFAS are one of the reasons when my old motorcycle gear was due for renewal I went to waxed cotton instead of more nylon/Goretex.

[Todd Bradshaw]

Re: Tarp water proofing

Some of the canvas waterproofing compounds also contain a substance to prevent mildew which can come off on you in use - arsenic.

[WX]

Re: Tarp water proofing

Some of the canvas waterproofing compounds also contain a substance to prevent mildew which can come off on you in use - arsenic.

Silicone and mineral spirits is not sounding as toxic by the look of it.

[skuthorp]

Re: Tarp water proofing

Waxed cotton canvas using bees wax or paraffin as the waterproofing agent is widely available these days, sold by the yard. Avoids having to create a toxic soup requiring haz-mat disposal when you are done with the project.

I taught a lot of scouts to sew on my grandma's old treadle machine to make one man hike tents. That's the method we used to waterproof them. I think the 'soup' was disposed of in an old railways ash pit that was adjacent to the scout hall.

[WX]

Re: Tarp water proofing

Sometime back I had a whole lot of cockpit/dodger canopy Sunbrella given to me. It all has a lot of zips and vinyl windows sewn into it. I reckon I have way more than I need to make a cockpit canopy and a boat cover.

[SaltyD from BC]

Re: Tarp water proofing

Pretty sure that synthetic waterproofing liquid is made from PFAS or other toxic forever chemicals. Its basically liquid teflon, causes cancer, and never breaks down in the environment. It eventually leaches into the water table and we all drink it.

The can doesn't say what it actually is, but does say "extreme danger."

Truth. There's newer generation seam sealing and water proofing stuff I've ran in to reading and youtubing that doesn't contain PFAS i haven't dug too deep as far as how well they work or exactly how 'environmentally friendly' it is.