Scotch Guard - can it be used on tents??
Jason Khoo
Just a quick one. I asked the guy at the hardware store about suggestions
for waterproofing my tent further and he suggested a an of Scotch Guard.
I have a Coleman 2-man dome tent, I think it's made of nylon synthetics,
would Scotch Guard damage the tent or are there any better stuff to use.
In Malaysia, I can't seem to find some of the brands that have been
suggested: Seam Grip, Seam Seal etc. Would a wax stick work?
Regards,
Jason K
<jas...@pl.jaring.my>
H. Paul Jacobson
> Just a quick one. I asked the guy at the hardware store about suggestions
> for waterproofing my tent further and he suggested a an of Scotch Guard.
> I have a Coleman 2-man dome tent, I think it's made of nylon synthetics,
> would Scotch Guard damage the tent or are there any better stuff to use.
> In Malaysia, I can't seem to find some of the brands that have been
> suggested: Seam Grip, Seam Seal etc. Would a wax stick work?
The can of Scotch Gard that I have describes itself as 'water repellent
for outdoor fabrics'. The instructions mention use on jackets, outerwear,
backpacks, etc. 'shiny surface synthetics (nylon, etc)' are specifically
mentioned. The fabrics it warns against are 'dry clean only' ones, silk,
wool, leather etc. There are other Scotchgard products for carpets,
leather etc.
As a repellent it mainly acts by keeping the water from wetting the
fabric. Water instead forms little beads that roll off the fabric. It
would be most useful on your rain fly, reducing the amount of water the
fabric absorbs, and thus making the job of the waterproof coating (on the
underside) easier. It may even reduce the amount of water that leaks
through the seam holes if you don't have something to seal those.
It probably is of less value in making the tent floor more waterproof.
There you need protection from standing water more. Water in contact with
the floor doesn't have anyplace to run off to. The simplest way of
increasing the waterproofness of the floor is to spread a large sheet of
plastic (a few mils thick) inside the tent, covering the floor and a few
inches up the sides. If you can afford the weight, a tarp hung from the
trees can keep your tent dryer, and give you a dry place to cook as well.
Seam Seal is used to cover the holes in the seam where water might leak
through. The waterproof coating on the fabric gets punctured by the act
of sewing. Essentially it is a type of thin glue that fills the holes and
gaps in the seam. I suspect glues like Shoe GOO (intended to fix running
shoes) and GOOP are chemically similar and would work if you spread a thin
layer on the seam, though they'd do better if you could thin them (but I
don't know what kind of solvent to use).
You might also check with the boating people. Sail boats require all
kinds of waterproofing. What they use on cotton or acrylic canvas
probably won't help you, but if they use coated dacron or nylon they may
have something useful.
Paul
ORBS Free Outdoor Classifieds/ORBS Escrow
> Just a quick one. I asked the guy at the hardware store about suggestions
> for waterproofing my tent further and he suggested a an of Scotch Guard.
> I have a Coleman 2-man dome tent, I think it's made of nylon synthetics,
> would Scotch Guard damage the tent or are there any better stuff to use.
> In Malaysia, I can't seem to find some of the brands that have been
> suggested: Seam Grip, Seam Seal etc. Would a wax stick work?
Yo, Jason. There are at least three seperate ways water can come
through your tent, and each has a different mechanism for prevention:
[1] Through the woven fabric. Solution is coating the fabric, which is
done at the fabric factory, not the tent factory. [2] Through the
seams, either between the layers of fabric or through the holes left
by stitching. Solution is seam sealer. The idea is to fill those tiny
holes and cracks; any seam sealer left on the surface of the tent is
extra and serves no purpose but to make your tent ugly. A neccessary
evil. [3] Rips and holes in the fabric from wear. Solution is to sew
on a patch of coated fabric and seal the resulting seam.
So, where does Scotch Guard fit in? Nowhere. Scotch Guard in designed
to leave a coating on the outside of woven fabrics which causes water
to form beads (from surface tension when touching the Scotch Guard,
which has very dissimilar molecular characteristics). It is most
useful for Gore-Tex and other breathable fabrics, so the outer surface
does not become wet, hence stopping the outflow of water vapor.
Wax stick? Pretty messy, and all it would do is duplicate the
waterproofness of the coating which is already there (on the inside).
Not a good idea.
Seam Grip, Seam Seal and others are available for Web ordering from
http://www.rei.com and http://www.campmor.com. I don't know if they
ship to Malaysia, but you could email their customer service people
with the question. And there must be Australian and other non-US
retailers who sell the stuff and ship to Malasia. Maybe one of our
Aussie friends will stop patting his 'roo long enough to post a
retailer's website. :)
-- Jeff
ORBS Classifieds - Free outdoor classified ads
http://home.pacbell.net/orbs
ORBS Escrow - Affordable safety for online buyers and sellers
http://home.pacbell.net/orbs/oe-homepage.html
WAWildRose
specifically for outdoor fabrics. If you are spraying lighter fabics, you
might want to do a test patch first to see if the spray discolors the fabric,
and read any warnings on the product.
Remove the XXX in my email address to send mail...
"You can believe whatever you like. The universe however, is not obliged to
keep a straight face"
http://members.aol.com/LisaRanger/index.html
http://members.aol.com/WaWildRose/index.html
Eugene Miya
WAWildRose <wawil...@aol.comXXX> wrote:
>Scotch Guard, Thompsons, and several other companies make silicone based sprays
>specifically for outdoor fabrics. If you are spraying lighter fabics, you
>might want to do a test patch first to see if the spray discolors the fabric,
>and read any warnings on the product.
Do not use Thompson Water Seal on fabrics.
They have a separate product called Sports Seal.
Using TWS will nullify various warrenties, etc.
They accept no responsibility of damage to the inappropriate use of
their product.
DANIEL OWEN FIELD
the long and the short where 3M scothch and a whole host of other
waterproofing sprays is concerned is "If its a breathable membrane fabric,
dont spray it" warm water in a net stuff sack put through the washing machine
will do nicely. Once out of the washer , a 30 min spin in the dryer will do a
world of good (The fabrics properties are enhanced if heated after washing)
Dan Field
John Oliveri
breathable.
Eugene Miya wrote in message <77e4qi$p...@darkstar.ucsc.edu>...
Eugene Miya
John Oliveri <joli...@total.net> wrote:
>I would use it only on an old tent, it makes the tent waterproof but not
>breathable.
Your choice.
Just giving you the standard warning which came from Thompsons.
They point to Sport Seal specifically.
John Reece
> Do not use Thompson Water Seal on fabrics.
> They have a separate product called Sports Seal.
> Using TWS will nullify various warrenties, etc.
It also creates a fire hazard as it basically turns
your tent or jacket into a wick. Remember admonitions
about storing paint rags. Actual spontaneous
combustion might even be a possibility.
John Reece
Not an Intel spokesman