Used Starcraft tent material question

Thanks all for your comments.

My kids had to replace the canvas on our 1968 Starcraft Pop Up after about 30 years. (1998). New canvas is doing just fine. We don't put anything on the covering except we rub some candle wax on the zippers and zipper stitching about every 3-5 years when we think about it. We do keep it inside a barn when not being used.

While mine was not leaking, the woven portion of my tenting (Sunbrella fabric) was not really repelling water that well.

According to the instruction manual, my manufacturer suggested using 303 High Tech Fabric Guard to restore water repellency. It worked wonderfully and I have since used it on other fabrics I needed to make water repellent. Water just balls up and rolls off of it. It is far superior to silicone sprays and similar products, does not need to be reapplied throughout the season and does not attract dirt like silicone. However, it is rather expensive.

That being said, what is your tenting material made out of? Is it a woven fabric or is it vinyl? If vinyl, then you might want to use a protectant for it, like 303 Aerospace Protectant and others. If it is woven, then the High Tech Fabric Guard is safe for all materials and works better than anything I've tried before.

I have never done any of that to my 2008 tent material. Never have had any water problems.

The problems I have encountered is over time the tent material seems to be shrinking. The tent windows and walls are really tight now compared to when they was new. I had to change the way I was setting up to able to get the ends to work. Was always a couple inches to short to allow the zippers to work freely. Now I am zipping things up first before I extend the bows...

Roy Ken