Tent Waterproofing

[n3303j]

So I bought this NOS military surplus one man combat tent directly from Eureka in Binghamton, NY about 20 years ago.

The fly is internally blackout coated with a waterproofing agent. After 20 years it has some spots that flaked off and they drip in a heavy rain.

I tried a water based sealer. It dissolved in a heavy rain. Duh!

Was thinking about dabbing the leaky spots with Flex Seal.




Anyone know of any reason this should not work?

[Dirk_S]

Weight?

What about thinned silicone?
Or spraying on Nikwax?
Or melting in paraffin wax?

Here’s a YouTube video on both silicone and wax methods:

https://youtu.be/HedRbIsM75M?si=zHkrKAP4qo5HFoLR

[n3303j]

All decent ideas except I already have a can of Flex-Seal in my shop.

I'm not looking to treat the whole fly. I just want to dab it over the pinholes. Just a matter of hang the fly  stretched out. Backlight it and dab the sealant over the spots I see light through.

Just want to know if  anyone has had problems with Flex-Seal becoming tacky with age or any thing else that would make it unsuitable for repairing a fly that gets rolled up with the tent.

[Kiwi_Roy]

You have had it 20 years

A new tent will fix it LOL

[Dr. Enzo Toma]

Friend with a soft top on their Jeep tried patching it with flex seal tape and then spray, neither held up to folding and may have also failed in part to UV exposure.

[n3303j]

You have had it 20 years

A new tent will fix it LOL

I've had it ONLY 20 years. It's military quality and made in Binghamton, New York. I don't have anorher 20 years. Don't want to waste a good tent on an old guy. It's younger than any of my bikes. I don't get rid of them just because they need maintenance. They will outlast me.

[cliffrod]

Among other things, we have a mint 1967 Commander pop-up and are involved in 1-2 old camper groups/forums.  Flex seal does not have a good track record in those groups.  It works for a while (apparently just long enough to film a tv commercial...), then reportedly becomes a total abject failure and liability to adequately remove in hopes that a proper repair can be made. 

My wife worked as a professional guide, running camps, lived in a tent for 4 years, etc etc hard core btdt doesnt screw around with such things.  We have had our big Eureka Copper Canyon tent for nearly 20 yrs and love it.  Dont waste a good tent. Fix it right. Use legit product like nikwax waterproofing or seam sealer as suggested.