View Full Version : Waterproofing- Thompsons WaterSeal?
Somewhere I remember reading a post about using Thompsons WaterSeal ( yeah, the stuff you use to coat your wooden deck ) to refresh the waterproofing of say a tent floor or rain fly. Any truth to this or is it just another Internet story?
Slo-go'en
02-02-2013, 14:30
So it claims on the side of the can. I tried it on some paper maps I wanted to waterproof and it worked fine.
How about using it on a tent floor?
http://www.campmor.com/seam-sealant-recoat-3-10-oz-1.shtml?source=GAN&cm_mmc=GAN-_-Shopwiki.com-_-Primary-_-Text
This is intended for nylon tent floors. I'm not sure whether Thompson's recommend using their product on nylon, or whether they are recommending it for canvas.
The Kenyon product listed above is polyurethane, the same stuff that is used on nearly all commercially produced backpacking tents.
If your tent has a silicone impregnated (coated) nylon floor the Kenyon product won't stick.
Expensive gear like tents I would be extremely careful testing your idea on a scrap sample of the same material before proceeding. Masonary, wood, perhaps leather, and possibly tents made from canvas.
Read this poster's attempt at coating a nylon jacket with TWS. www.epinions.com/content_127928143492?sb=1
There are numerous other applications for this product where waterproofing is desired. Test the material first before applying. I was so pleased with the application to leather that I made a mistake of coating an insulated nylon jacket. Unfortunately, even though it was super waterproof, the material became somewhat stiff and persisted in having an unpleasant odor. I tried it on some synthetic material gloves also resulting in an unusual odor.
If your tent floor is made from nylon such as siiiconized nylon(silny) there are several water proofing and durable water repellant(DWR) sprays and wipe on/wash in products specifically made to address your desires that IMHO, aren't expensive.
You could also try a waterproof cheapy(free) sheet of plastic under your tent floor with the ends slightly tucked under the perimeter of the tent floor and achieve much the same thing.
Tipi Walter
02-02-2013, 15:53
Back in the 1980's I covered an entire log cabin in the stuff and gotta say a person would be nuts to use it anywhere in or on or near a tent cuz it's toxic. See
http://olicanoli.wordpress.com/2009/06/15/do-not-buy-thompsons-water-sealer-toxic-to-animals/
Starchild
02-02-2013, 15:59
While it may be used to waterproof, I would also be concerned about greater fire risk as the sealant will burn.
Back in the 1980's I covered an entire log cabin in the stuff and gotta say a person would be nuts to use it anywhere in or on or near a tent cuz it's toxic. See
http://olicanoli.wordpress.com/2009/06/15/do-not-buy-thompsons-water-sealer-toxic-to-animals/
Well that pretty much decides it right there. Toxic and perhaps a greater fire risk equals a "forget it!".
http://www.campmor.com/seam-sealant-recoat-3-10-oz-1.shtml?source=GAN&cm_mmc=GAN-_-Shopwiki.com-_-Primary-_-Text
This is intended for nylon tent floors. .........The Kenyon product listed above is polyurethane, the same stuff that is used on nearly all commercially produced backpacking tents.
If your tent has a silicone impregnated (coated) nylon floor the Kenyon product won't stick.
That sounds like the way to go. Thanks.
Bags4266
02-02-2013, 18:38
I used it on my 12x 16 canvas tent and it worked well.
MuddyWaters
02-02-2013, 22:17
I use it on boat covers. A plain cotton boat cover will rot and mildew and fall apart in sun/rain in about a year.
With it they will last about 5 yrs.
I wouldnt put it on a hiking tent