Can I waterproof my RTT?

[Randun]

Does anyone out there own a RTT? If you do, have you ever waterproofed it?

I have heard that when you clean the tent, it starts to break down the waterproofing of the material, and because of this you can apply some waterproofing agents to your RTT.

I have been doing research online, and I came across a couple of products. Does anyone have any experience with 303 Fabric Guard or Atsko Silicone Water-Guard? If not, have you found a good product that worked well for you?

Thank you so much for your time and your help!

 

[Liesejunh]

I’d stay away from cleaning it with any chemicals. Eventually the waterproofing will wear itself out due to the suns uv rat and you would have to reapply it. However cleaning it should really only involve talking off the mattress cover to laundry. The most important thing about keeping a tent clean is to keep it dry so that mold does not grow and awful Smells do not develop from the condensation. I keep a portable fan to help take out all of the condensation before I pack it up.

 

[Randun]

I’d stay away from cleaning it with any chemicals. Eventually the waterproofing will wear itself out due to the suns uv rat and you would have to reapply it. However cleaning it should really only involve talking off the mattress cover to laundry. The most important thing about keeping a tent clean is to keep it dry so that mold does not grow and awful Smells do not develop from the condensation. I keep a portable fan to help take out all of the condensation before I pack it up.

Thank you so much for your time and your help. I really appreciate it.

 

[rgallant]

Depends on the tent material what you use, I used Nikwax product on my Tepui when I got it, but it was used. If it is wet when you get home you need to set it up, I throw a little ceramic space heater in mine in the driveway to chase moisture out.

If you are lucky you can tilt the mattress up while still in the tent and get airflow around it. 3 chunks of 2x4 work for me.

My problem is it can days before it stops raining, so the tent can be setup for a while.

 

[Randun]

Depends on the tent material what you use, I used Nikwax product on my Tepui when I got it, but it was used. If it is wet when you get home you need to set it up, I throw a little ceramic space heater in mine in the driveway to chase moisture out.

If you are lucky you can tilt the mattress up while still in the tent and get airflow around it. 3 chunks of 2x4 work for me.

My problem is it can days before it stops raining, so the tent can be setup for a while.

All great points!

Thank you so much for your time and your help.

 

[Shokgoblr]

I have a Tepui. Inside it, on the wear points at the fly pole pocket stitching, I used MSR gear repair patches. I have not had a need to waterproof the outside, but if I do I will have no concern about spraying it with Atsko Silicone Water Guard spray. That stuff is amazing, and after it FULLY drys and airs out, there is no smell. I have used it on many tarps, tents and raingear.

 

[Billiebob]

Technically all tents need to breathe, waterproofing them will cause condensation build up over night. And most good tents come with a fly to shed water. Single layer tents are a compromize.

 

[FishinCrzy]

Silicon must be some powerful stuff. I got some overspray from some silicon tire spray on my concrete driveway and it repeled water for YEARS! Truff, sweatergot!

 

[JDGreens]

Does anyone out there own a RTT? If you do, have you ever waterproofed it?

I have heard that when you clean the tent, it starts to break down the waterproofing of the material, and because of this you can apply some waterproofing agents to your RTT.

I have been doing research online, and I came across a couple of products. Does anyone have any experience with 303 Fabric Guard or Atsko Silicone Water-Guard? If not, have you found a good product that worked well for you?

Thank you so much for your time and your help!

Like others said I would not put anything on the fabric as a whole, but I do think seem sealer isn't a bad idea. But don't take my word for it. I have only used it on our new tent and will apply more after a whole season,, won't know if it's worth it for several years???

 

[LostWoods]

The breaking down is generally the seals around the seams as the cotton is typically self-sealing. Cotton swells when wet so while it will feel wet to the touch on the inside, it's typically not going to have much ingress. If you want to re-seal the seams, it's no different than other tents. You brush off the old stuff with a stiff nylon brush (toothbrush works), clean thoroughly, then re-apply sealant.

Though I do recommend keeping up with Nikwax waterproofing on the rain fly. That will prevent the kind of accumulation that does cause the cotton to drip.

 

[Randun]

I have a Tepui. Inside it, on the wear points at the fly pole pocket stitching, I used MSR gear repair patches. I have not had a need to waterproof the outside, but if I do I will have no concern about spraying it with Atsko Silicone Water Guard spray. That stuff is amazing, and after it FULLY drys and airs out, there is no smell. I have used it on many tarps, tents and raingear.

Thank you so much for your opinion! I really appreciate it.

 

[Randun]

Technically all tents need to breathe, waterproofing them will cause condensation build up over night. And most good tents come with a fly to shed water. Single layer tents are a compromize.

Great point! Thank you so much.

 

[Randun]

Silicon must be some powerful stuff. I got some overspray from some silicon tire spray on my concrete driveway and it repeled water for YEARS! Truff, sweatergot!

Great story. Thank you so much for sharing!

 

[Randun]

Like others said I would not put anything on the fabric as a whole, but I do think seem sealer isn't a bad idea. But don't take my word for it. I have only used it on our new tent and will apply more after a whole season,, won't know if it's worth it for several years???

Thank you so much!

 

[Randun]

The breaking down is generally the seals around the seams as the cotton is typically self-sealing. Cotton swells when wet so while it will feel wet to the touch on the inside, it's typically not going to have much ingress. If you want to re-seal the seams, it's no different than other tents. You brush off the old stuff with a stiff nylon brush (toothbrush works), clean thoroughly, then re-apply sealant.

Though I do recommend keeping up with Nikwax waterproofing on the rain fly. That will prevent the kind of accumulation that does cause the cotton to drip.

Thank you for the tips!

 

[Flipper]

303 Fabric Guard. Its been around the marine industry for years. The only product Sunbrella recommends. I use it on windbreakers, jackets, hiking boots, backpacks, tents, sun canopy's......anything you need to waterproof. Great product. 303 Protectant is awesome for plastic, vinyl, rubber, leather interiors, , dashboards, tires...makes dried out dull weathered plastic look new.

 

[Randun]

303 Fabric Guard. Its been around the marine industry for years. The only product Sunbrella recommends. I use it on windbreakers, jackets, hiking boots, backpacks, tents, sun canopy's......anything you need to waterproof. Great product. 303 Protectant is awesome for plastic, vinyl, rubber, leather interiors, , dashboards, tires...makes dried out dull weathered plastic look new.

Thank you so much for your opinions! I really appreciate it.