Supa-peg dry proof for ripstop canvas

[Mitch_n]

Hi swaggers,

I have recently purchased a secondhand hard floor Chinese camper and it leaks a little bit in places.

Have tried seasoning it with no change.

I came across a product at freddys outdoors called dry proof made by supa-peg. It's for waterproofing canvas.

Just wondering if anyone has used this on rip stop canvas before and if it will work to stop my leaking.

I've got a tarp to put over the whole show if I need. But would rather get the leaking sorted.

Thanks, Mitch.

[muzza01]

Where is ur CT leaking from? I wonder if the canvas was seasoned properly when new. Is it leaking along sewn joins?

I have an imported hard floor camper with Chinese canvas.  Everyone one we have met that have imported canvas on their CT have had bugger all problems with leaks. Be good to see some pics of your CT and the areas where you have leeks.

We had a disasterous long weekend about 18 months ago where is rained for four days straight.  The rain ranged from light to heavy but did not stop at all for 3 of those days.  The CT did not leak however, where my mattress and pillow were lying against the canvas was wet.

Basically, the moisture leached from outside to inside where the mattress touched the wet canvas. I originally thought it was because of the Chinese canvas but have since found out that this is normal and also happens with oz canvas on Oz hard floors. Apparently you are supposed to pull ur mattress away from the canvas at the end of the bed if it rains heavily.

I definately didn't want to have that problem occur again so we waterproofed the canvas concentrating on the area near the back of the bed.

Can't comment on this super peg product but I have used Aquaproof.  It did a good job but I imagine both of these products are very similar.  You can get this at BCF.

[Mitch_n]

Thanks Muzza,

Leaks around the poles where they hold the canvas up, also though the seams. And the awning roof was leaking a bit too. You can see sunlight through the stitching so I guess there definitely not sealed properly.

I think your right, it may have never been seasond properly to start with. The previous owner who Brought it new said they always used a tarp over the whole thing.

[muzza01]

Buy the supra peg or Aqua proof. I really painted it all over the CT and annex roof. I really focused a second coat on all stitching and the area where the mattress comes in contact with the canvas.

The stuff I used looked like, smelt like and had the consistency or aquadere wood glue.

We have had rain on the CT since with no problems with leeks.  Good luck.

[Hefty]

I've used Brad Proof on two second hand campers with leaking issues and it works a treat.  Also, for seams, rub a candle back and forth along them and then melt it in with a hairdryer, then re-season. NB don't do the wax before the waterproofing solution or you'll never get the waterproofing into the canvas around those seams.
Cheers!
Jono.

[prodigyrf]

"Basically, the moisture leached from outside to inside where the mattress touched the wet canvas. I originally thought it was because of the Chinese canvas but have since found out that this is normal and also happens with oz canvas on Oz hard floors. Apparently you are supposed to pull ur mattress away from the canvas at the end of the bed if it rains heavily."

Yep and that's why Jayco add that vinyl bottom band around the bed ends but with a 2 day heavy rain I found it wet the bedclothes where they touched the stitching between the canvas and vinyl. That's when I decided to retreat all the canvas with a waterproof spray but also carefully rubbed all the stitching with the proprietary wax stick (I really think they're candle wax but used the camp store one anyway) Did it on a warm day and the wax easily melted into the canvas stitching in the bright sunlight quickly afterwards.

[prodigyrf]

"NB don't do the wax before the waterproofing solution or you'll never get the waterproofing into the canvas around those seams."

Yep I did it in that order too when I thought about it. Would have used my heat gun carefully on low too but I was pleasantly surprised that it melted in the sun anyway.

Edit: Bit of online research and I came up with this gear-
http://www.bcf.com.au/online-store/products/Atsko-Silicone-Waterguard-300g.aspx?pid=166167#Recommendations
http://www.bcf.com.au/online-store/products/COI-Wax-Stick-50ml.aspx?pid=114792#Recommendations
and you couldn't notice that spray on the tan canvas after it had dried nor the wax really.

[Jackdawg]

When I did min eI bought a cheap garden sprayer and used that to apply the mix. Worked a treat.

But be warned, when they tell you to keep it away from zips, pay attention, I didn't and spent the next few trips with stiff zips!

[Mitch_n]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I'll give the supa-peg gear a go. And maybe try some candle wax on all the seams after.

Thanks.

[MattnLaurie]

Can't comment on this super peg product but I have used Aquaproof.  It did a good job but I imagine both of these products are very similar.  You can get this at BCF.

Went out last weekend and we got a mild sprinkle during pack-up, annoying but it allowed me to have a really good look at where the water was seeping in on my '03 TrackAbout. It seems that the seams along the front vertical canvas to floor/wall joint has become a bit dry. As many others have come across, I then remembered old mate saying he used a tarp nearly every trip.

Anyway, after a bit of drying and drenching it each morning (which seems to have fixed the seams), I've just used the same stuff as this, works a treat. As does the cheapo pressure sprayer, but I'll give this tip. Looking at the SDS for the stuff it's water soluble. So the best mix I've used thus far is 1:1, but I'm going to try 1.5:1 water/Aqua Proof next. Why? Because with straight goo, it's far too thick to get a decent spray pattern out, 0.5:1 same. 1:1 is pretty good but I'm figuring that a 1.5:1 is going to give a really fine mist, meaning you get less "splotchyness" and a really nice covering across your canvas. And yes, after the first application, water beads right off!

I realise this is a bit of a thread dig, but it's helped me out immeasurably, so the next person searching for "Leaking Canvas"should be able to find this solution fairly quickly (said the guy who's been on forums for far too long to actually believe it!!!