Sunday Campers Product Page
_We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more &#;
_
What does it mean to season or weather a canvas tent? Seasoning or weathering are interchangeable terms. It&#;s another way of saying you know how to waterproof a canvas tent It is a process that helps the canvas material remain water-tight, keeping you warm and dry no matter the conditions.
Canvas is durable tent material that can last you years of use, plus it is naturally water resistant. Meaning, it has the ability to hold out water. But without proper weathering or waterproofing, water can eventually leak into the tent.
New canvas tents may come pre-seasoned, but not all of them do. When shopping for the best canvas tents
, see if they are weathered and waterproof. Like most processes and coatings that help keep water out of your tent, it can wear off with time and more use, so if you have an old tent, it may need a new seasoning as well.
Even though seasoning and weathering are synonymous, waterproofing is something entirely different. When working to make a canvas tent more weather resistant, go through both the seasoning and waterproofing processes for best results.
Weathering a canvas tent helps the canvas material stay water-tight. Even though the canvas is naturally water resistant, it does have small holes that can leak water with enough exposure. Canvas tents are several panels sewn together. This allows the materials to develop larger holes, and water can penetrate the fabric.
When you season a tent, the process involves soaking the tent material with water to get the canvas threads to expand, filling all of the holes. Once dry, those expanded threads stay contracted and reduce leaking.
Some campers rely solely on the weathering process to protect them, but we recommend performing a waterproofing process afterward for best results. Seasoning a canvas tent should provide a completely waterproof seal, but the older the tent is or the more often you use it, the thinner the material becomes. As the material thins out, the tiny holes are more prone to open up, which is why the combination of seasoning and waterproofing is most effective.
The more you use your canvas tent, the more often you need to go through this process. Many avid canvas tent campers season their tent once a year.
Photo by Persnickety Prints
on Unsplash
Whether you plan to only season or you also want to waterproof your tent
, the seasoning process needs to come first. Do this when you have warm weather to help make the process more efficient.
How to season a canvas tent:
Set up your tent in a sunny, dry location. The area needs to be large enough for your tent to be completely set up and open.
Shut all the doors and windows of the tent.
Wet the tent down with cold water until it is fully saturated. We find a hose with a spray nozzle works best for this process. Depending on the size of the tent, this can take anywhere from 5-20 minutes.
Ensure all tent materials are soaked and pay close attention to the seams.
Once you think the tent is drenched enough, go inside. Look to see if there are any holes you can see the sun shining through.
Once you can no longer see the sun through any tent holes, leave the tent set up to dry.
Now that your tent is completely dry (and feels hot to the touch), soak it again with cold water, but for about twice the length of time.
Check if you can see the sun through any holes from the inside, and if not, let the tent dry once again.
If the seams appear to be leaking or there are still holes after extensive soaking, then consider sealing your tent seams
.
Once dry, you can test it with a few short sprays to simulate rainfall, then go inside to ensure no areas are leaking.
Finally, after the tent is fully dry inside and out, pack it up or apply a waterproof coating.
Doing this in a sun-exposed area tends to be the fastest and most efficient since the tent needs to dry after seasoning. Applying cold water and allowing the materials to heat up in the sun also helps the threads hold their expansion.
Repeat this process every 12 months for the best results.
Proper seasoning of canvas material should make the tent waterproof. If you are working with old canvas or want added protection, applying a waterproof coating is an easy way to do that.
Before waterproofing your tent, choose a product that suits the tent material. Some waterproofing products for canvas tents that we recommend include:
Remember that many fabric coatings have similar instructions, but for best results, follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer. The instructions below are generalized and may not always apply to the waterproofing solution you choose.
How to waterproof a canvas tent:
Clean your tent. Either spot clean or fully clean it off. If you just weathered the tent, it should already be clear of dirt and debris.
Depending on the product, applying when the material is already wet is best. So, include this in the weathering process before the tent dries.
Some waterproofing products may require dilution with water. Follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer.
The company is the world’s best canvas roof top tent supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.
You spray, brush, or roll on the solution for most canvas tent waterproofing treatments. Coat the solution evenly.
Let the tent material dry.
Repeat as needed.
As mentioned, do this on a clear, sunny day to speed up the drying process.
Q: How long does it take for a canvas tent to dry?
How long it takes for a canvas tent to dry depends on the sun and wind exposure. It can take as long as two days for the material to dry in some circumstances, but with direct sunlight, it should take just a few hours. After weathering your tent, we recommend leaving it out to dry for at least one day to prevent any risk of mold or mildew from developing while in storage.
Q: How long do canvas tents last?
How long a canvas tent lasts depends on how well it is cared for while you have it, but on average, a canvas tent should last anywhere from 15-30+ years. Performing yearly weathering and waterproofing can help prolong the tent&#;s lifespan, which is another reason we highly recommend it to canvas tent owners.
Q: What is the best way to waterproof canvas?
The best way to waterproof canvas is to go through a seasoning process. Waterproof coatings and sprays can be effective, but since the canvas is naturally water resistant, seasoning tends to be a more practical option.
Q: Should you weather a new canvas tent?
It depends. Some new canvas tents come pre-seasoned and do not need to be seasoned before use. However, canvas tents should be seasoned every 12 months to ensure they retain their natural waterproof qualities.
Canvas tents are beautiful, comfortable, and durable even in tough weather conditions. However, without proper treatment, canvas material is not 100% waterproof &#; many find this out the hard way once the water has already damaged their tent, which can be a costly and unpleasant discovery.
In this article, we'll teach you everything you need to know about waterproofing a canvas tent. We'll cover when and why you need to waterproof your tent, which products work best, and how to waterproof your tent with canvas tent treatments so it stays strong and you stay dry.
Natural cotton fibers allow canvas to be a breathable yet water-resistant material. This allows canvas tents to maintain comfortable conditions and protect you from the elements, but heavy exposure to water can eventually make its way through the fabric&#;s weave.
Your canvas tent can also be damaged by moisture over long periods of time. Even if the inside is dry, water seeping into tiny holes within the canvas can host mold and mildew that slowly degrade your tent, especially if it is packed while still damp.
Additionally, waterproof canvas tents don&#;t stay waterproof forever. If you want to keep your tent damage-free over several years, regular reproofing needs to be a part of your canvas tent maintenance. In other words, even if you buy a tent that is waterproof, knowing how to waterproof a canvas tent will help you make the most out of your purchase.
The frequency you should reproof your tent is determined by the type of waterproofing product used, how often you use your tent, and the climate(s) it is exposed to. Lastly, protective gear like fly covers can reduce the frequency you need to reproof canvas tents, such as wall tents and bell tents.
You can also use a simple visual test to know if it&#;s time to reproof your tent: If rainwater soaks through the canvas instead of beading up and rolling off, it&#;s time to re-apply waterproofing treatment. As a general rule, you should aim to reproof your tent at least once a year if you don't use it often, and three times a year if you use it continuously. The image below can help you determine how often you should reproof your tent each year based on regional climate:
Tent seasoning refers to the process of soaking and drying an untreated canvas tent multiple times in order to make it water-resistant by encouraging the cotton fibers of the canvas to swell, sealing the seams and needlework. Seasoning can be easily done at home in your outside using a garden hose or during the first rain.
Tent seasoning is a simple and natural way to make an untreated canvas tent water-resistant. However, keep in mind that this won't make it entirely waterproof, and it doesn't make your tent less prone to damage if it is packed or stored damp.
If you want your tent to be waterproof, your best bet is to purchase a canvas waterproofing solution or canvas waterproofing spray. Here are our top three picks that we recommend for canvas tent treatment:
Dry Guy Waterproofing Concentrate
- This quality waterproofing concentrate is perfect for canvas fabric that needs to remain versatile in a variety of outdoor conditions. Though it must be diluted before use, its water-based solution makes it a safe yet reliable option.- With an "easy" roll-on application and a non-toxic formula, this solution is great for those looking for a very effective,, durable & environmentally-friendly canvas waterproofing treatment. You will likely need to drop your tent to treat the peak.
. This heavy-duty fabric guard can be used on a variety of materials to make them waterproof. However, the ingredients that make it so effective also make it hazardous if applied improperly or without precaution.
Follow these steps to make a canvas tent waterproof:
For best results, pick a sunny and preferably warm day so the weather doesn't affect your results. You might want to plan on leaving your tent up for through 2 afternoons for proper drying and curing.
If your tent needs to be cleaned,and an upholstery cleaning brush (or any firm scrubber, if you don't have one). You want to be sure no dirt, debris, or mildew is on your tent before you apply any waterproofing treatment. For tips on deep cleaning your tent, check out this
Prepare your waterproofing treatment. Depending on which product you chose, you may need to dilute it or follow other specific instructions before applying.
Apply the waterproof treatment. This will either be by spraying your canvas tent with it or painting it with a roll-on brush (depending on the brand).
Evenly apply the treatment by using a brush / sponge. Even if you used waterproofing spray for your tent, using a brush will help you patch up spots you may have missed.
Allow your tent to dry completely.
Repeat these steps 1-2 more times as needed.
Deciding to waterproof a canvas tent on your own can be a lengthy process. Luckily, you can buy waterproof canvas tents that are ready to go for your next event or trip!
All Life in Tents bell tents are waterproof and can be enjoyed in the rain or sunshine - even snow and high winds, too - and come in a variety of sizes and styles.Visit our online canvas tent shop to browse through our collection of quality canvas bell tents.
For more information, please visit Car Top Tent Manufacturers.