Re-proofing a tent groundsheet

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PH
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Re: Re-proofing a tent groundsheet

Post by PH »

mercalia wrote:I am thinking of using this stuff to reproof my Karrimor panniers

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PlastiDip-Pl ... 1438.l2649

I contacted them and they said would be suitable

The description as "peelable" would make me a bit reluctant to try it, well that and the number of waterproof carrier bags I could get for the same price.
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Gattonero
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Re: Re-proofing a tent groundsheet

Post by Gattonero »

andrew_s wrote:
To add another layer of coating to an existing tent floor, this seems to be the correct stuff:
https://outdoor.mcnett.eu/outdoor/tent- ... r-sealant/



+1 for this product.
I had an old bag I wanted to use but the PU coating inside was flaking off. The small bottle of Tent-Sure product isn't cheap, but goes a long way and it saved me from buying a new rucksack, very nice! :D
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b1ke
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Re: Re-proofing a tent groundsheet

Post by b1ke »

Gattonero wrote:
andrew_s wrote:
To add another layer of coating to an existing tent floor, this seems to be the correct stuff:
https://outdoor.mcnett.eu/outdoor/tent- ... r-sealant/



+1 for this product.
I had an old bag I wanted to use but the PU coating inside was flaking off. The small bottle of Tent-Sure product isn't cheap, but goes a long way and it saved me from buying a new rucksack, very nice! :D


How good is the waterproofing since you applied the Tentsure? Did you remove all the old coating first?

The reason I ask is that I've re proofed my groundsheet and groundsheet protector, but haven't had chance to use the tent since. The old coating was badly cracked with minimal flaking, but other than that it was still intact, so I applied the Tentsure over the top of the old coating. It seems to have applied well, but I don't know how waterproof it will be, hence the questions. The video I saw on YouTube advised removing all the old coating first.
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AgentWayward
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Re: Re-proofing a tent groundsheet

Post by AgentWayward »

I use Thompson's Water Seal. It's about £15 for 5 litres.

It's cheaper by far than any proprietry tent proofer and more effective.

It really is superb stuff. OK, so it's meant for use on bricks etc (where it is, of course, woefully inadequate), but it works a treat on all kinds of things.

I use it on tonneau covers, clothing, tents, groundsheets, anything fabric that needs to be waterproof.

Bung it in a spray bottle, spray all over until the fabric is soaked, then allow to air dry. Waterproof for a year at least.

It is outstanding. Well known and used in this manner by certain sections of the motorcycling community.

I've been using it for years.
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Gattonero
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Re: Re-proofing a tent groundsheet

Post by Gattonero »

b1ke wrote:
Gattonero wrote:
andrew_s wrote:
To add another layer of coating to an existing tent floor, this seems to be the correct stuff:
https://outdoor.mcnett.eu/outdoor/tent- ... r-sealant/



+1 for this product.
I had an old bag I wanted to use but the PU coating inside was flaking off. The small bottle of Tent-Sure product isn't cheap, but goes a long way and it saved me from buying a new rucksack, very nice! :D


How good is the waterproofing since you applied the Tentsure? Did you remove all the old coating first?

The reason I ask is that I've re proofed my groundsheet and groundsheet protector, but haven't had chance to use the tent since. The old coating was badly cracked with minimal flaking, but other than that it was still intact, so I applied the Tentsure over the top of the old coating. It seems to have applied well, but I don't know how waterproof it will be, hence the questions. The video I saw on YouTube advised removing all the old coating first.


I just scrubbed it with a coarse sponge, then cleaned it with meths.
Time will tell how long it lasts, so far has gone a bit dull but working ok.
It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best,
since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them.
Thus you remember them as they actually are...
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Gattonero
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Re: Re-proofing a tent groundsheet

Post by Gattonero »

AgentWayward wrote:I use Thompson's Water Seal. It's about £15 for 5 litres.

It's cheaper by far than any proprietry tent proofer and more effective.

It really is superb stuff. OK, so it's meant for use on bricks etc (where it is, of course, woefully inadequate), but it works a treat on all kinds of things.

I use it on tonneau covers, clothing, tents, groundsheets, anything fabric that needs to be waterproof.

Bung it in a spray bottle, spray all over until the fabric is soaked, then allow to air dry. Waterproof for a year at least.

It is outstanding. Well known and used in this manner by certain sections of the motorcycling community.

I've been using it for years.


That's good to know, I may give it a try, thanks!
It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best,
since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them.
Thus you remember them as they actually are...
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Sweep
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Re: Re-proofing a tent groundsheet

Post by Sweep »

AgentWayward wrote:I use Thompson's Water Seal. It's about £15 for 5 litres.

It's cheaper by far than any proprietry tent proofer and more effective.

It really is superb stuff. OK, so it's meant for use on bricks etc (where it is, of course, woefully inadequate), but it works a treat on all kinds of things.

I use it on tonneau covers, clothing, tents, groundsheets, anything fabric that needs to be waterproof.

Bung it in a spray bottle, spray all over until the fabric is soaked, then allow to air dry. Waterproof for a year at least.

It is outstanding. Well known and used in this manner by certain sections of the motorcycling community.

I've been using it for years.

Cripes, meant for bricks but you use it on clothes?
Respect for resisting differential marketing but is it safe next to the skin?
Any issues with flammability or anything?
Any issues with putting it on clothes which may end up in a washing machine? Re flammability and whatever.
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mercalia
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Re: Re-proofing a tent groundsheet

Post by mercalia »

I think ground sheets( built into tents) are misunderstood. I dont think, today, they are meant as a floor to keep out water etc but just to seal a tent so that you dont get any draughts or ground creepy crawlies? Unless you have an old fashioned canvas tent which came with a very tough rubberised bottom like my Conquest A poled ridge tent -(why use a thin bottom when the whole tent weighs a ton?) So a foot print is needed these days.
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Sweep
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Re: Re-proofing a tent groundsheet

Post by Sweep »

mercalia wrote:I think ground sheets( built into tents) are misunderstood. I dont think, today, they are meant as a floor to keep out water etc but just to seal a tent so that you dont get any draughts or ground creepy crawlies? Unless you have an old fashioned canvas tent which came with a very tough rubberised bottom like my Conquest A poled ridge tent -(why use a thin bottom when the whole tent weighs a ton?) So a foot print is needed these days.


I think they are meant to keep out the water mercalia - at least from reputable companies.

But I agree that I would always put something under them to protect them.

I use a £5 B&Q blue tarp as beloved by builders.
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NATURAL ANKLING
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Re: Re-proofing a tent groundsheet

Post by NATURAL ANKLING »

Hi,
The thin blue tarp which is woven polythene encapsulated with pvc is ultra tough, very light as light as 75 grams / square metre.

But it degrades very quickly if exposed to sunlight, which as a foot print it will not very much, 100 % water tight when not degraded and very cheap.

If you camp on hard surfaces with stones anything will wear through, then you need a foot print.
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mercalia
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Re: Re-proofing a tent groundsheet

Post by mercalia »

NATURAL ANKLING wrote:Hi,
The thin blue tarp which is woven polythene encapsulated with pvc is ultra tough, very light as light as 75 grams / square metre.

But it degrades very quickly if exposed to sunlight, which as a foot print it will not very much, 100 % water tight when not degraded and very cheap.

If you camp on hard surfaces with stones anything will wear through, then you need a foot print.


There used to be a camping store in Crystal Palace, he sold thick polythene sheet by the metre. Just the job, had my sheet 20+ years and still fine.
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horizon
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Re: Re-proofing a tent groundsheet

Post by horizon »

mercalia wrote:
There used to be a camping store in Crystal Palace, he sold thick polythene sheet by the metre. Just the job, had my sheet 20+ years and still fine.


I bought many a tent and accessory from there!
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pjclinch
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Re: Re-proofing a tent groundsheet

Post by pjclinch »

mercalia wrote:I think ground sheets( built into tents) are misunderstood. I dont think, today, they are meant as a floor to keep out water etc but just to seal a tent so that you dont get any draughts or ground creepy crawlies? Unless you have an old fashioned canvas tent which came with a very tough rubberised bottom like my Conquest A poled ridge tent -(why use a thin bottom when the whole tent weighs a ton?) So a foot print is needed these days.


This isn't so much a case of "intelligent design" as "marketing-led design". Light weight is a positive feature that can be marketed, thus there is pressure to make tents lighter so they sell more. An easy way to make them lighter is use very thin groundsheets... These were pioneered on specialist tents for mountain marathons and similar, where conforming to the rules meant more than concepts like overnight comfort (if you're doing a MM you laugh in the face of discomfort, or are at least far too tired to have it bother you).

Of course, once you add a footprint you've lost the whole point of having a really thin groundsheet (so the tent weighs less), but you've sold your tent on being light and sold a footprint too. Look at something like a Hille Black Label tent, designed to be taken to rough places, and compare it to the crisp-packets adorning the really light stuff these days and you'll see that not all groundsheets are created equal. Early "lightweight" groundsheets from the likes of Saunders really broke new ground in showing you didn't need the likes of a Force 10 Classic groundsheet to keep out water, but they look pretty meaty compared to some of the things you see now.

Not that a footprint is a bad thing, mind. It gives you the choice of having extra condensation protection (the thicker the floor the less the floor is prone to it), and on occasions where bulk/weight isn't an issue you have more abrasion/puncture protection (we use them on our Hilles when we're camping out of a boat, but not on the bikes or on foot). But it strikes me that buying a floor so thin it needs a footprint anyway is pretty daft, unless you're using it for one-offs like MMs.

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Witzend
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Re: Re-proofing a tent groundsheet

Post by Witzend »

After much searching online a couple of years ago, I did two of my tents with a 50:50 mix of clear silicone sealant and white spirit and it's worked.

I ended up making it more dilute (more white spirit) on the second attempt as one area that went on a bit thick left a skin on the surface which could be peeled off. I did both inside and out, leaving each side to fully dry first.

I would do it on a day that is not too hot so that it doesn't start drying before you've finished. It looks like it will not mix, but persevere until it is smooth. I brushed it on with an old paintbrush, then wiped off any excess - which evened out the coating and also pushed it further into the weave, aiding adhesion.

It seems to last, but if I had to do it every year it would be worth it as the tent is no longer available.
Jdsk
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Re: Re-proofing a tent groundsheet

Post by Jdsk »

Witzend wrote:After much searching online a couple of years ago, I did two of my tents with a 50:50 mix of clear silicone sealant and white spirit and it's worked.

Why that rather than proprietary silicone proofer, either sprayed or brushed on?

Thanks

Jonathan
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