[MR] Fwd: [HF] Canvas Tent Upkeep

[Gina Shelley]

You can actually buy gun triggers that fit over spray cans so you don't wear your fingers out spraying your canvas. Painted Wheel uses A LOT of sealant. We like silicone sealant like you buy in sporting goods stores. 

I used some Thompson's on the vardo roof once and was not happy with the results. The silicone works better on the type of canvas I have. It's not treated canvas. It's mostly water resistant, but I have to take pains to make sure it's water PROOF since it gets used at Pennsic and you know how the weather is up there. I have protected the top part of the canvas, the place where the rain really beats down hard, with a strip of plain old tarp in a matching color. You can't even see it up there. But the rest of the canvas, sewn with flat-fell seams, is pretty good on its own with a dose of silicone spray every now and then. 

And I've waxed my seams. I did it one night at Pennsic when the storm was coming down so hard it was shaking the vardo. I was afraid the seams would fail, they were sweating a little (so was I). So I rubbed melted wax and chap stick into them. That might have been a quick fix, but it's turned out to be a good fix. I might spring a leak, but it won't be in the seams. Those suckers are marine grade at this point. 

Dulcy