I was out last weekend when it didn't stop raining all night and noticed a weep coming through a couple of places, so I need to fabsil, but haven't done it before. I went into miller's and they have an offer where if you buy anything in store the fabsil tent care kit is £9 which includes a cleaner and a litre of fabsil universal protector.
I haven't done it before so want to do it right, there's a couple vids on YouTube but one cleans and applies it to a wet bivvy and the other slaps it on dry with a paint brush. Which is the correct/best way? Tia
I haven't done it before so want to do it right, there's a couple vids on YouTube but one cleans and applies it to a wet bivvy and the other slaps it on dry with a paint brush. Which is the correct/best way? Tia
In reply to Post #1
Always done mine dry.
Washed it with warm water and washing up liquid, allowed to dry then painted it using Fabsil gold with a brush, never leaked.
Always done mine dry.
Washed it with warm water and washing up liquid, allowed to dry then painted it using Fabsil gold with a brush, never leaked.
In reply to Post #1
you picked a rubbish time of the year to do it so you could just use a seam sealer or tenacious tape
LINKY POO
OR
LINKY POO 
AND if you decide on the whole shelter Fabsil ?
then ABSOLUTE MOST IMPORTANT THING is the material must be as clean as possible so you need to wash it but if you use anything other than lots of clean warm water
IMPORTANT make sure you dont use and form of detergent as it contains a wetting agent and destroys waterproofing and it wont last anywhere near as long
but you can buy PURE SOAP from Wilko thats fine just rinse well let it DRY
and then use a clean paint brush or spray bottle
point of interest
its a fact modern shelters are coated and should never need reproofing for around 10 years loonys actually throw money away reproofing every year nut cases 90% is condensation unless they have got the material so full of dirt the pores are blocked and all thats needed is a good scrub with tent universal cleaner or some PURE SOAP to restore the beading quality's like it was when new
you picked a rubbish time of the year to do it so you could just use a seam sealer or tenacious tape
LINKY POO
OR
LINKY POO
AND if you decide on the whole shelter Fabsil ?
then ABSOLUTE MOST IMPORTANT THING is the material must be as clean as possible so you need to wash it but if you use anything other than lots of clean warm water
IMPORTANT make sure you dont use and form of detergent as it contains a wetting agent and destroys waterproofing and it wont last anywhere near as long
but you can buy PURE SOAP from Wilko thats fine just rinse well let it DRY
and then use a clean paint brush or spray bottle
point of interest
its a fact modern shelters are coated and should never need reproofing for around 10 years loonys actually throw money away reproofing every year nut cases 90% is condensation unless they have got the material so full of dirt the pores are blocked and all thats needed is a good scrub with tent universal cleaner or some PURE SOAP to restore the beading quality's like it was when new
In reply to Post #1
Fabsil is NOT recommended to use if the bivvy is of breathable material. Look at the Kampa stuff which is designed for use on breathable materials.
Fabsil is NOT recommended to use if the bivvy is of breathable material. Look at the Kampa stuff which is designed for use on breathable materials.
In reply to Post #4
Fabsil is NOT recommended to use if the bivvy is of breathable material
Sorry but thats simply not true !!! utter rubbish who ever told you that mate
1947
Grangers developed the world's first water-based waterproofing solution for the outdoors market, paving the way for responsible protection. they bloody invented waterproofing !!!!!!!! and have gone on developing
its actually laughable as Grangers are the market leaders and they market Fabsil gold for breathable tents and Gortex type materials
but After speaking at length many times in the past with the Technical manager of Grangers
he assured me the difference between normal Fabsil and Fabsil Gold in respect to restoring the waterproofing and without compromising the breathability in a bivvy /brolly situation there would be little difference
he also said most of the time the MAIN REASON tents start leaking is because DIRT fills the pores and they wet out and soak thru the material instead of the water beading and running off and there is NOTHING WRONG with the waterproofing other than it cant do its job
so a simple good wash with good sponge (( DONT SCRUB IT !)) DO NOT USE DETERGENTS OF ANY TYPE. These will strip away the protective coating of the fabric. USE a universal tent cleaner or pure soap liquid or flakes WIKO sells both
and it will in almost every case COMPLETELY RESTORE the original waterproofing beading qualities and will be like new again people just WASTE money buying more unnecessary waterproofing and finding in a years time they didnt fix the problem they just put a temp patch that didnt last
as todays bivvys and brollys will if kept clean last easily 5 to 10 years without any needing of additional water proofing
Fabsil is NOT recommended to use if the bivvy is of breathable material
Sorry but thats simply not true !!! utter rubbish who ever told you that mate
1947
Grangers developed the world's first water-based waterproofing solution for the outdoors market, paving the way for responsible protection. they bloody invented waterproofing !!!!!!!! and have gone on developing
its actually laughable as Grangers are the market leaders and they market Fabsil gold for breathable tents and Gortex type materials
but After speaking at length many times in the past with the Technical manager of Grangers
he assured me the difference between normal Fabsil and Fabsil Gold in respect to restoring the waterproofing and without compromising the breathability in a bivvy /brolly situation there would be little difference
he also said most of the time the MAIN REASON tents start leaking is because DIRT fills the pores and they wet out and soak thru the material instead of the water beading and running off and there is NOTHING WRONG with the waterproofing other than it cant do its job
so a simple good wash with good sponge (( DONT SCRUB IT !)) DO NOT USE DETERGENTS OF ANY TYPE. These will strip away the protective coating of the fabric. USE a universal tent cleaner or pure soap liquid or flakes WIKO sells both
and it will in almost every case COMPLETELY RESTORE the original waterproofing beading qualities and will be like new again people just WASTE money buying more unnecessary waterproofing and finding in a years time they didnt fix the problem they just put a temp patch that didnt last
as todays bivvys and brollys will if kept clean last easily 5 to 10 years without any needing of additional water proofing
In reply to Post #1
I've done my brolly a couple of times. It wasn't leaking as such, just getting heavy with the wet and taking an age to dry.
It's got to be clean first, remove all spod spill and mud. I used the dedicated cleaner and let it dry well in the sun. (Might be in short supply at the moment!) I transfer some of solution from the tin into a plastic container and use a cloth to soak up some of the solution and then rub it in in using circular motions. Pay particular attention to the seams. I have seen paint brushes used but prefer a cloth. Let it dry in the air otherwise you'll get a varnish hit.
I last did mine last summer and got caught in a heavy storm the other day. The water was beading over the brolly but not clinging, I just gave it a tap and the water was bouncing around. A quick flick at the end of the session and it went away dry.
I've done my brolly a couple of times. It wasn't leaking as such, just getting heavy with the wet and taking an age to dry.
It's got to be clean first, remove all spod spill and mud. I used the dedicated cleaner and let it dry well in the sun. (Might be in short supply at the moment!) I transfer some of solution from the tin into a plastic container and use a cloth to soak up some of the solution and then rub it in in using circular motions. Pay particular attention to the seams. I have seen paint brushes used but prefer a cloth. Let it dry in the air otherwise you'll get a varnish hit.
I last did mine last summer and got caught in a heavy storm the other day. The water was beading over the brolly but not clinging, I just gave it a tap and the water was bouncing around. A quick flick at the end of the session and it went away dry.
Last time I met Chris,MrAqua himself, when he was stocking the lake I asked him the same question,re,waterproofing . As I had a old Aqua armo.
He said, Waterproofing agents will potentially damage the breathable material, to the effect condensation will be more prevelant..unless you wash the material carefully using a sponge, warm ,water and let it dry properly..
This ,above from the UKs premier bivvy designer..(other than Shackelton)...!
He said, Waterproofing agents will potentially damage the breathable material, to the effect condensation will be more prevelant..unless you wash the material carefully using a sponge, warm ,water and let it dry properly..
This ,above from the UKs premier bivvy designer..(other than Shackelton)...!
In reply to Post #7
Yep and Chris is 100% right
as I have posted below after conversations with Grangers dirt in the material and slapping on unnecessary layers of waterproofers is so wrong and far far better results would be to simply fix the problem by a simple wash with a tent cleaner or pure soap and restore the beading properties of the perfectly good waterproofing that kept clean wil last easily 5 plus years
these people that say Oh I waterproof my shelter every year are just plain ignorant of what harm they are doing with the resulting massive increase in condensation
Yep and Chris is 100% right
as I have posted below after conversations with Grangers dirt in the material and slapping on unnecessary layers of waterproofers is so wrong and far far better results would be to simply fix the problem by a simple wash with a tent cleaner or pure soap and restore the beading properties of the perfectly good waterproofing that kept clean wil last easily 5 plus years
these people that say Oh I waterproof my shelter every year are just plain ignorant of what harm they are doing with the resulting massive increase in condensation
In reply to Post #1
Christmas is coming treat yourself to a new shelter, I usually do then again in February for my Birthday again for Easter, July because its the wife's birthday again in November for Black Friday then before you know it its Christmas and I can treat myself again, never bought a tin of fabsil in my life.
Christmas is coming treat yourself to a new shelter, I usually do then again in February for my Birthday again for Easter, July because its the wife's birthday again in November for Black Friday then before you know it its Christmas and I can treat myself again, never bought a tin of fabsil in my life.
In reply to Post #9
I have only Mesowaxed shelters in the 60s and 70s
and I have lost count of the brollys and bivvys since then only ever fabsil 2 bivvys and both of them I bought secondhand
I got shelters that are 10 years old been washed often during the summer with wilko pure soap none have ever leaked
Iwill TELL YOU AGAIN DO NOT USE DETERGENTS OF ANY TYPE. These will strip away the protective coating of the fabric. that is an indisputable proven FACT
I have only Mesowaxed shelters in the 60s and 70s
and I have lost count of the brollys and bivvys since then only ever fabsil 2 bivvys and both of them I bought secondhand
I got shelters that are 10 years old been washed often during the summer with wilko pure soap none have ever leaked
Iwill TELL YOU AGAIN DO NOT USE DETERGENTS OF ANY TYPE. These will strip away the protective coating of the fabric. that is an indisputable proven FACT
In reply to Post #10
Many years ago when the Nash canvas overwrap was still available I'm sure it was Mesowax that I used on it.
It turned a funny yellow colour, I got a few comments but it seemed to work though
Many years ago when the Nash canvas overwrap was still available I'm sure it was Mesowax that I used on it.
It turned a funny yellow colour, I got a few comments but it seemed to work though
In reply to Post #10
ALSO
if you want your fleeces to stay nice and thick and thermal
Use soap flakes. As detergent thins them.
ALSO
if you want your fleeces to stay nice and thick and thermal
Use soap flakes. As detergent thins them.
I well remember Mesowax ,it was like a milky white colour ,used to paint it on my ancient 45 inch canvas brolly and nash velcro stormsides...,but
One such proofing many yrs ago led to me being shot at one clear November night, as it was being used ,my bivvy by a shooter out hunting as a target,it kind of glowed ,in the clear moon light..I knew who shot through it ,and I spoke to them the next day.....
Long story..!
One such proofing many yrs ago led to me being shot at one clear November night, as it was being used ,my bivvy by a shooter out hunting as a target,it kind of glowed ,in the clear moon light..I knew who shot through it ,and I spoke to them the next day.....
Long story..!
In reply to Post #1
This is how I did it (ignore the fact it's a Trakker product video) works a treat, just remember to use Fabsil Gold if it's an aquatex type material
LINK
But as Gerry said, this isn't really the best time to do it, a nice warm day is what you want
This is how I did it (ignore the fact it's a Trakker product video) works a treat, just remember to use Fabsil Gold if it's an aquatex type material
LINK
But as Gerry said, this isn't really the best time to do it, a nice warm day is what you want
Thanks.
I won't use anything other than the dedicated tent cleaner that comes in the tent kit I bought.
And yes perhaps should have done it in the summer but wasn't aware it needed it lol... And it's a kampa Bivvy which is the best bivvy I've owned I love it. Definately a leak rather than condensation though it's the seam. I set it up late last week in the garden to dry it out and it's still there waiting for a dry day to pack it away again 😂
I won't use anything other than the dedicated tent cleaner that comes in the tent kit I bought.
And yes perhaps should have done it in the summer but wasn't aware it needed it lol... And it's a kampa Bivvy which is the best bivvy I've owned I love it. Definately a leak rather than condensation though it's the seam. I set it up late last week in the garden to dry it out and it's still there waiting for a dry day to pack it away again 😂