Camping Camper

Question:

We have a nylon type material tent. It has a couple places where the water travels through the mesh and drips inside. We have just had over an inch of rain and maybe a cup full got into the tent. Could anyone tell me what a good spray or whatever to put on the tent to stop the leak. Thanks Ed

Response:

Get yourself some Camp Dry to spray on the sides/top and some seam sealer for the seams.  These should be available anywhere that sells camping supplies.   Good luck Melissa – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > We have a nylon type material tent. It has a couple places where the water > travels through the mesh and drips inside. We have just had over an inch of > rain and maybe a cup full got into the tent. Could anyone tell me what a good > spray or whatever to put on the tent to stop the leak. > Thanks > Ed

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Get yourself some Camp Dry to spray on the sides/top and some seam > sealer for the seams.  These should be available anywhere that sells > camping supplies. > Good luck > Melissa > We have a nylon type material tent. It has a couple places where the water > travels through the mesh and drips inside. We have just had over an inch of > rain and maybe a cup full got into the tent. Could anyone tell me what a good > spray or whatever to put on the tent to stop the leak. > Thanks > Ed

For the sealer get SeamGrip it’s the best,and so is the camp dry use SeamGrip on the seams and when it’s dry sprinkle with some talc so it wont stick when it’s packed up.

Response:

>Get yourself some Camp Dry to spray on the sides/top and some seam >sealer for the seams.  These should be available anywhere that sells >camping supplies.  

I saw something at walmart, some kind of spray, it might have beenCamp Dry, but I know it was silicone based. I’ll try looking. i saw some Coleman wax seam stick, but I suppose the other stuff is a better solution. I used this Thompsons Water Seal "like" product, called Umbrella. So far so good. greg

Response:

>We just bought a new Coleman Dome/Cabin tent.  I set it up 2 days ago to >seal the seams, and lo and behold the heavens have blessed me with a full >scale leakage test!  Arghhhh!  Oh well — better now than in the middle of >the night somewhere. >The only main problem I see is where the seams come together down near the >bottom of the doors.  Did I hear someone mention seam tape for sealing?? >Also wonder if anyone’s tried the spray-on waterproofing.  Does it work? >Is it worth the time? >Thanks for any help. >Deb Goldgehn

I just tried Kiwi’s spray on waterproofing that I got at my local K-Mart, and naturally it rained……worked w o n d e r f u l l y!!! If you don’t expect too much….you’ll rarely get disappointed… vampire

Response:

I’ve always used a seal sealant on all floor and flysheet seams.   I prefer the sealant that comes in a tube and has a hollow plastic needle shaped tip.  This allows you to get the sealant into the seam. I’ll be sealing my new tent this weekend… …Seal the seams and stay dry …Dennis Henderson – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->We just bought a new Coleman Dome/Cabin tent.  I set it up 2 days ago to >seal the seams, and lo and behold the heavens have blessed me with a full >scale leakage test!  Arghhhh!  Oh well — better now than in the middle of >the night somewhere. >The only main problem I see is where the seams come together down near the >bottom of the doors.  Did I hear someone mention seam tape for sealing?? >Also wonder if anyone’s tried the spray-on waterproofing.  Does it work? >Is it worth the time? >Thanks for any help. >Deb Goldgehn

Response:

The best seamsealer is one that is solvent based such as one based on Toluene.  It is usually applied with an artists paintbrush or a syringe.  It will not crack or peel — even in subzero temps. The alternative is a water based sealent which is good if you do not camp in the winter.  However, you will probally have to reapply it about every two years, and it has very low abrasion resistance. Spray on waterproofing is not a good idea because it is hard to isolate the spray to just the seams and it will not penetrate as well. (you need the walls of the tent to be breathable so inner moisture can escape). – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >We just bought a new Coleman Dome/Cabin tent.  I set it up 2 days ago to >seal the seams, and lo and behold the heavens have blessed me with a full >scale leakage test!  Arghhhh!  Oh well — better now than in the middle of >the night somewhere. >The only main problem I see is where the seams come together down near the >bottom of the doors.  Did I hear someone mention seam tape for sealing?? >Also wonder if anyone’s tried the spray-on waterproofing.  Does it work? >Is it worth the time? >Thanks for any help. >Deb Goldgehn

Response:

I agree with Mr. Stover about a solvent based seam sealer.  I sealed a few seams with Seam Sealer 3 (water based) after I had used up my solvent based sealer.  Went camping and as luck would have it I field tested the seam sealers (steady heavy rains.)  I saw I had some leaks around the seams on which I’d used the water-based sealer.  When I looked at those seams when folding up the tent (it was still damp), it sure looked like water based sealant was _melting_.  This was in 60 degree, wet weather. Looking back, I’d rather deal with a seam sealer _once_ that had cautions like "use in a well ventilated area" and "caution-fumes are flammable" than have to use another sealer over and over again. Amelia Willcutt  awillcut at mindspring dot com

Response:

We just bought a new Coleman Dome/Cabin tent.  I set it up 2 days ago to seal the seams, and lo and behold the heavens have blessed me with a full scale leakage test!  Arghhhh!  Oh well — better now than in the middle of the night somewhere. The only main problem I see is where the seams come together down near the bottom of the doors.  Did I hear someone mention seam tape for sealing?? Also wonder if anyone’s tried the spray-on waterproofing.  Does it work? Is it worth the time? Thanks for any help. Deb Goldgehn

Response:

>The only main problem I see is where the seams come together down near the >bottom of the doors.  Did I hear someone mention seam tape for sealing?? >Also wonder if anyone’s tried the spray-on waterproofing.  Does it work? >Is it worth the time?

Hi, Deb.  I have always used Seam Sealer 3 and have had good luck with it even thfough you have to reapply it each year.  Another seam sealer out there is Seam Grip.  It comes in a toothpaste type tube and is applied with a brush.  It’s real thick and gooey and should not be applied by pregnant woman.  It contains something bad that I couldn’t begin to spell.  :)  Anyway, a "taped" seam is from the factory.  When the tent is made, a layer of "tape" is applied over the stitching from the factory, thus hiding any needle holes.  I have never used the spray on waterproofing stuff, but if a tent is made well, you shouldn’t need it.  One last thing with a cabin tent is that you shouldn’t touch the sides of the tent during a rain storm.  I have done that and had water start leaking in where I touched it. Hope that helps, Mark To reply to me directly, remove the NOSPAM from my e-mail address.

Response:

I have a pup tent that my wife and I used twice, and then it turned out we started having a family and bought a larger tent.  The pup tent has been in storage for about six years (taken out and used once, three years ago).  It’s a Coleman.  Do I need to waterproof it?  I’ve done the seams, but what about the nylon itself? Mark

Response:

> I have a pup tent that my wife and I used twice, and then it turned out we > started having a family and bought a larger tent.  The pup tent has been in > storage for about six years (taken out and used once, three years ago).  It’s > a Coleman.  Do I need to waterproof it?  I’ve done the seams, but what about > the nylon itself? > Mark

During the next rainstorm, set up the tent and see what happens.  It is hard to say if the tent is still waterproof just by looking at it.  If the fly has major peeling then it is pretty much useless.  The seams should not have any holes or breaks in them.  Also make sure the floor of the tent is waterproof.  Check again for peeling of the polyurethane or whatever waterproofing agent was used.  If it is in really bad condition, you can rent tents from camping stores like EMS and/or buy a new one if you plan to camp more often.  When it comes to shelters, you don’t want to make any compromises.  You can also by a waterproof tarp (those blue ones painters use to keep paint off of whatever) and set it up over the tent. That way you can forget the rainfly and still have your rain protection. Also a plastic groundcloth is good enough to keep the floor dry.    

Response:

> During the next rainstorm, set up the tent and see what happens.  It is > hard to say if the tent is still waterproof just by looking at it.  If the > fly has major peeling then it is pretty much useless.  The seams should > not have any holes or breaks in them.  Also make sure the floor of the > tent is waterproof.  Check again for peeling of the polyurethane or > whatever waterproofing agent was used.  If it is in really bad condition, > you can rent tents from camping stores like EMS and/or buy a new one if > you plan to camp more often.  When it comes to shelters, you don’t want to > make any compromises.  You can also by a waterproof tarp (those blue ones > painters use to keep paint off of whatever) and set it up over the tent. > That way you can forget the rainfly and still have your rain protection. > Also a plastic groundcloth is good enough to keep the floor dry.    

A plastic groundcloth or tarp will help keep you dry, but only if you remember to keep  ALL of it under the tent.  If a bit of it sticks out from under the tent, water running off the tent will run on top of the tarp and collect between the tarp and the bottom of the tent.  Next thing you know, you are sleeping in a  _waterbed_  ;-) Ruth Ruth Mays  Cinnaminson, NJ  USA  08077

Response:

>I have an Ozark Trail 3-person dome tent which I found on sale two years >ago. So far it’s been okay, except that somehow I have a few tiny holes in >it now, mostly near seams. Last camping trip it rained a lot one night, >and I found out that my tent is pretty waterproof, but does leak just a >little (water will seep through, especially if a sleeping bag is touching >the side, the bag will get wet). I was thinking of waterproofing the tent >even more on my own. Are there any recommended products that I should use, >that work well and are easy to apply?

You need a rainfly, aka, a second cover.  A tarp that is stretched to where it doesn’t touch the tent will do nicely.  Touching any tent from the inside when it is wet is a no-no.

Response:

> I have an Ozark Trail 3-person dome tent which I found on sale two years > ago. So far it’s been okay, except that somehow I have a few tiny holes in > it now, mostly near seams. Last camping trip it rained a lot one night, > and I found out that my tent is pretty waterproof, but does leak just a > little (water will seep through, especially if a sleeping bag is touching > the side, the bag will get wet). I was thinking of waterproofing the tent > even more on my own. Are there any recommended products that I should use, > that work well and are easy to apply?

Even on a new tent, I spread a plastic sheet on the inside (say 3mil), including part way up the side.  It protects the sleeping bags from seeping through the walls, and from some of the condensation on the inside. It also protects the tent floor from dirt and abrasion. Especially when car camping (so weight isn’t a big factor) I also use a ground sheet under the tent – making sure that none of the sheet is visible.  This further protects the tent floor.   Paul

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>I have an Ozark Trail 3-person dome tent which I found on sale two years >ago. So far it’s been okay, except that somehow I have a few tiny holes in >it now, mostly near seams.  I was thinking of waterproofing the tent >even more on my own. Are there any recommended products that I should use, >that work well and are easy to apply?

I have one of these tents.   Two things: 1. ALL tents leak if they fabric is touched from the inside while it is wet/raining.  This is not a defect.  All treatments that would make the structure not so would also make is so the fabric will not "breath".  Once the tent is dry, this "problem" will rectify itself. 2.  There is "seam seal"  which is good if you use your tent a couple times a year and don’t mind resealing the seams every year or so.  The other alternative is to use "seam grip" which is much more permanent. Hope this helps. Regards David Ronk To reply via e-mail remove "not_" from address. PGP I/D: 1024/EE62B6A5 1998/02/06     By US Code Title 47, Sec.227(a)(2)(B), a computer/modem/printer      meets the definition of a telephone fax machine. By Sec.227(b)      (1)(C), it is unlawful to send any unsolicited advertisement to      such equipment, punishable by action to recover actual monetary      loss, or $500, whichever is greater, for EACH violation.    Please do not send unsolicited commercial mail to my email account.

Response:

Use waterproofing spray for the sides and seam sealer for the seams. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >I have an Ozark Trail 3-person dome tent which I found on sale two years >ago. So far it’s been okay, except that somehow I have a few tiny holes in >it now, mostly near seams. Last camping trip it rained a lot one night, >and I found out that my tent is pretty waterproof, but does leak just a >little (water will seep through, especially if a sleeping bag is touching >the side, the bag will get wet). I was thinking of waterproofing the tent >even more on my own. Are there any recommended products that I should use, >that work well and are easy to apply? >Thanks! >Sharon >I will not be clapped in a hood,    || Hovering over the wood    "The Hawk" >Nor a cage, nor alight upon wrist,  || In the broken mist            by >Now I have learned to be proud      || Or tumbling cloud.        W.B. Yeats

patrickatcyberhighwaydotnet

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You can get Camp Dry at Walmart to spray your tent. —

Response:

If you or any thing inside the tent is touching the walls, you will get water thru the walls, that is why double walled tents are better.  If you want to waterproof the tent more, use a product called "camp dry", backpacker mag. rates it the #1 waterproofer for most materials.  You can get it at most backpacking stores or if you look around some hardware stores cary it. Woody – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I have an Ozark Trail 3-person dome tent which I found on sale two years > ago. So far it’s been okay, except that somehow I have a few tiny holes in > it now, mostly near seams. Last camping trip it rained a lot one night, > and I found out that my tent is pretty waterproof, but does leak just a > little (water will seep through, especially if a sleeping bag is touching > the side, the bag will get wet). I was thinking of waterproofing the tent > even more on my own. Are there any recommended products that I should use, > that work well and are easy to apply? > Thanks! > Sharon > I will not be clapped in a hood,    || Hovering over the wood    "The Hawk" > Nor a cage, nor alight upon wrist,  || In the broken mist            by > Now I have learned to be proud      || Or tumbling cloud.        W.B. Yeats

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I have an Ozark Trail 3-person dome tent which I found on sale two years > ago. So far it’s been okay, except that somehow I have a few tiny holes in > it now, mostly near seams. Last camping trip it rained a lot one night, > and I found out that my tent is pretty waterproof, but does leak just a > little (water will seep through, especially if a sleeping bag is touching > the side, the bag will get wet). I was thinking of waterproofing the tent > even more on my own. Are there any recommended products that I should use, > that work well and are easy to apply? > Thanks! > Sharon > I will not be clapped in a hood,    || Hovering over the wood    "The Hawk" > Nor a cage, nor alight upon wrist,  || In the broken mist            by > Now I have learned to be proud      || Or tumbling cloud.        W.B. Yeats

Johnson’s waterseal, you can get it at your local hardware store by the gallon. Take a brush and paint the tent. It can also  be sprayed on with an air sprayer. This costs less than the other sprays and lasts a lot longer. —  see you on the water :: Roy The day you first stroked a fine boat across the water, was the day you began to move your mind and body to the highest level.::: call it a stroke of genius:::::::::::

Response:

I have an Ozark Trail 3-person dome tent which I found on sale two years ago. So far it’s been okay, except that somehow I have a few tiny holes in it now, mostly near seams. Last camping trip it rained a lot one night, and I found out that my tent is pretty waterproof, but does leak just a little (water will seep through, especially if a sleeping bag is touching the side, the bag will get wet). I was thinking of waterproofing the tent even more on my own. Are there any recommended products that I should use, that work well and are easy to apply? Thanks! Sharon I will not be clapped in a hood,    || Hovering over the wood    "The Hawk" Nor a cage, nor alight upon wrist,  || In the broken mist            by Now I have learned to be proud      || Or tumbling cloud.        W.B. Yeats

Response:

There are several spray-can products that will waterproof. Visit your local sporting goods store that carries camping stuff. Have you put seam sealer on the seams? That is the first thing that should be done. I just got done spraying my tent with waterproofer (I forget exactly what it was called). Was about $7.00 for the can. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I have an Ozark Trail 3-person dome tent which I found on sale two years >ago. So far it’s been okay, except that somehow I have a few tiny holes in >it now, mostly near seams. Last camping trip it rained a lot one night, >and I found out that my tent is pretty waterproof, but does leak just a >little (water will seep through, especially if a sleeping bag is touching >the side, the bag will get wet). I was thinking of waterproofing the tent >even more on my own. Are there any recommended products that I should use, >that work well and are easy to apply? >Thanks! >Sharon >I will not be clapped in a hood,    || Hovering over the wood    "The Hawk" >Nor a cage, nor alight upon wrist,  || In the broken mist            by >Now I have learned to be proud      || Or tumbling cloud.        W.B. Yeats

-Steve Man who stands on toilet is high on pot.

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