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Re-proofing a tent groundsheet
Posted: 26 Jun 2019, 4:18pm
by b1ke
The groundsheet on my Saunders tent is letting moisture through. I think the coating's degraded. I don't want to landfill it, so am looking for something to reproof it. Looking online, Fabsil seems to be a popular choice for tents. Does anyone have any experience of how effective this is on a PU coated groundsheet?
Or has anybody had success with some other product/method? I'd be particularly interested in hearing about eco friendly options.
Cheers in advance.
Re: Re-proofing a tent groundsheet
Posted: 26 Jun 2019, 4:34pm
by horizon
I suppose one option is to use a plastic sheet (even an old ground sheet) under it (or a footprint as it is known in the trade
).
Re: Re-proofing a tent groundsheet
Posted: 26 Jun 2019, 8:21pm
by andrew_s
A footprint only works so long as the water doesn't get on top of it.
Fabsil, and the various Nikwax options, are about adding water repellency rather than the continuous film that you'd need to resist the pressure of kneeling on soggy ground.
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/I've also seen this suggested (it got used, seemingly OK, but there was no feedback (old ukc forum post))
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Plasti-Dip-Mul ... 0006SU3QW/Previous topic
viewtopic.php?f=42&t=98282
Re: Re-proofing a tent groundsheet
Posted: 26 Jun 2019, 9:59pm
by horizon
I looked at some of the reviews. I take your point about the footprint but I would personally go for a quick and easy solution at least to see if it helps even if it meant a bit of tape to hold a sheet on. But if a braver person than I wanted to give the sealant a go, it would be interesting to hear how it went.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gear-Tent-Sure ... B00278BSU4 (this has reviews but the container is different)
Re: Re-proofing a tent groundsheet
Posted: 26 Jun 2019, 10:31pm
by b1ke
Cheers for that. Just checked out some reviews of Tent Sure. Seems to do the job, so I'll probably give it a go.
Re: Re-proofing a tent groundsheet
Posted: 26 Jun 2019, 10:43pm
by horizon
horizon wrote: But if a braver person than I wanted to give the sealant a go, it would be interesting to hear how it went.
b1ke wrote:
Just checked out some reviews of Tent Sure. Seems to do the job, so I'll probably give it a go.
Re: Re-proofing a tent groundsheet
Posted: 27 Jun 2019, 1:43am
by PH
Replace the groundsheet, it's not a particularly complex job, then use the old one as a loose protector which will preserve the new one.
Re: Re-proofing a tent groundsheet
Posted: 27 Jun 2019, 10:51am
by mercalia
horizon wrote:I suppose one option is to use a plastic sheet (even an old ground sheet) under it (or a footprint as it is known in the trade
).
yes plastic sheeting the best answer as dont need any maintenance. Also means it gets muddy rather than the tent gorundsheet
Re: Re-proofing a tent groundsheet
Posted: 27 Jun 2019, 1:01pm
by Tinnishill
If you want to farm out the job, Scottish Mountain Gear, in Musselburgh, does tent repairs. I have had them do a couple of zip repairs which turned out OK, but I haven't seen their groundsheet repairs.
https://www.scottishmountaingear.com/repair-service
Re: Re-proofing a tent groundsheet
Posted: 27 Jun 2019, 1:22pm
by pjclinch
I'm with PH in thinking if you want it done properly then have the groundsheet replaced. What you can do in a purpose built fabric coating factory and what you can do at home with a can of goop are not, I suspect, quite the same.
I'd also suggest Scottish Mountain Gear if you don't want to DIY and do want a good job. The bad news is it's £80. Are they any good? Hilleberg list them as their UK repair agent so presumably they're not all bad...
Pete.
Re: Re-proofing a tent groundsheet
Posted: 27 Jun 2019, 2:39pm
by horizon
pjclinch wrote: What you can do in a purpose built fabric coating factory and what you can do at home with a can of goop are not, I suspect, quite the same.
Pete.
That was my feeling too. Which is why I was quite interested in seeing how the OP got on if he was willing to do it. I have a flysheet which could have benefitted but I can just imagine the job being a nightmare at home.
Re: Re-proofing a tent groundsheet
Posted: 28 Jun 2019, 10:02pm
by Graham
Here are my notes from 2010 :-
JetPacker Groundsheet reproofing :
This information direct from Robert Saunders, by phone (2010)
My enquiry was about the groundsheet of the inner tent leaking.
To have a replacement sewn in would cost £32
He suggested I reproofed it with cellulose “dope” aka banana oil, as sold in model shops.
Mix it 50:50 with cellulose thinners before applying to the tent.
I got 85ml of dope from the big hobby shop in Havant £3.60
I got 125ml cellulose thinners from Rowlands Castle hardware £3
The mixture was very difficult to work with.
It did not spread easily with a brush.
It dried very quickly, so I could not see where I had treated.
I just tried to do it as systematically as I could, but the result did look a bit of an uneven mess.
NEXT TIME :
Get more dope
Get more thinners
Mix it 1:4 and try to flood coat the material
There would still be a need to work systematically.
Re: Re-proofing a tent groundsheet
Posted: 28 Jun 2019, 11:43pm
by PH
Graham wrote:Here are my notes from 2010 :-
Interesting stuff Graham.
But you haven't told us if it was any good and did the job!
Re: Re-proofing a tent groundsheet
Posted: 29 Jun 2019, 7:58am
by Graham
Yes it did work, under normal, summer conditions.
However, I have not used the Jetpacker, for properly wet camping since the treatment.
Re: Re-proofing a tent groundsheet
Posted: 13 Jul 2019, 12:31pm
by mercalia
I am thinking of using this stuff to reproof my Karrimor panniers
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PlastiDip-Pl ... 1438.l2649I contacted them and they said would be suitable