how do you waterproof canvas?
Hubby and I got out dad's old Cox fold-out camper this week. It's still in good shape (circa 1960's) but the canvas placed on it in 1999 could use some waterproofing again. We'd like to do it ou...
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Cotton canvas is naturally water repellant due to its weave. Once properly saturated it will absorb no more, close its pores, and water will slide right off. That's why it's been used for eons for everything from sails to tents to covered wagon covers.
Keeping enough pitch to allow natural drainage to happen is enough for real canvas, but if you want to totally waterproof it I recommend "Canvak" an oil-based preservative that's been around for years. Link. That stuff will waterproof cotton fabric well enough to use it for a bathtub.
Do bear in mind that sealing up the pores with compounds like the above will eliminate the breatheability that makes canvas so superior to synthetic fabrics.
Keeping enough pitch to allow natural drainage to happen is enough for real canvas, but if you want to totally waterproof it I recommend "Canvak" an oil-based preservative that's been around for years. Link. That stuff will waterproof cotton fabric well enough to use it for a bathtub.
Do bear in mind that sealing up the pores with compounds like the above will eliminate the breatheability that makes canvas so superior to synthetic fabrics.
