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bootyinblue
16-12-2006, 07:33 PM
Hey,

Just back from a recent trip and noticed that during really heavy rain I had 2 spots on my swag where water had penetrated the canvas.

Would being wet by salt water have allowed this? Swag got splashed in the boat on the way over.

Anyway, waterproofing a swag. I know there are cans of this and that I can spray over it to waterproof it. But I am looking for anyones tips and tricks for a great job...
bungie
17-12-2006, 07:12 PM
Didn't it going through the rain water proof it. gets wet and the stitching swells, now water proof ??
bootyinblue
17-12-2006, 09:13 PM
Ahh Bungie, Sorry mate but I have no idea what you are trying to say there....
bungie
17-12-2006, 09:38 PM
I thought the way to water proof canvas was to hose it down and let it dry before you used it for the first time.
When the stiching gets wet it swells up and seals the holes made by the needles.
At least thats what the paper work with my Oztrail Mitchell swag said to do.
bungie
17-12-2006, 09:42 PM
Quote from http://www.oztrail.com.au/downloads/OZtrail_Catalogue_200506.pdf

IMPORTANT
CONDITIONING YOUR NEW CANVAS TENT
Once you get your new tent home, it is important to condition the tent.
Simply pitch your tent and wet it down with your garden hose. Pay
particular attention to the seams - the sewing thread has a polyester
core with a cotton sheath, and the thread swells when wet and blocks
the needle holes. The needle holes also shrink around the thread. The
canvas fabric also benefits from this because the cotton swells into the
weave and the waterproof treatment settles within the fabric. Let the tent
dry completely before doing it a second time. Always pack your tent
away dry.
Brett1907
18-12-2006, 07:51 AM
Did the same with my swag, not an oztrail though. Seems waterproof enough.

Brett
bootyinblue
18-12-2006, 11:31 AM
Yes, my swag has been conditioned and then been drenched and dried many times since. I think maybe as I was camped on sand that parts were sitting in small pools of water and hence the water soaked up the canvas walls....
griz066
19-12-2006, 08:53 PM
The cans of water proof spray realy do work well give em a go 8-)