Thread: Cheap, lightweight waterproof jacket recommendation

Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

I see the link is to white spirit. Does anyone know if White spirit damages nylon - as in white spirit cooker bottle leaking into a backpack ?

Nylon is one of the least 'damageable' materials on earth. You'll be fine.

Originally Posted by yeah_na_missed

No such thing as a stupid question, mate! Depending on what sort of terrain/vegetation you're most often going to be in, spotted and striped silicone are both good options and available from most places... Usually found between the glass hammers and the long weights, right next to the buckets of steam.

I just went for the boring but safe Selleys clear 100% silicone option, and it worked very well.

I believe Bunji used both the spotted and the striped silicone when waterproofing his hunting gear prior to heading off on a two month African Safari with his best mate Mr Peter Hathaway Capstick

Originally Posted by XR500

Nylon is one of the least 'damageable' materials on earth. You'll be fine.

I have used Turps in the past and it works fine but is a slow solvent. I have another project - coating the outer shell of a double skinned alpine type tent and thought that white spirit would be easier to 'air off' from the double skin which is permanently fixed - not a fly and inner arrangement

Too that end, silicone coating nylon seems to stop the wet stretch / sag that tents and flys get

Hey @Moa Hunter, is there a brand of plumber's silicone you would recommend?

Originally Posted by MB

Hey @Moa Hunter, is there a brand of plumber's silicone you would recommend?

Last time I used 'Gorrilla' brand and it was very good.

How do you rekon this mix will go on canvas guys? My tent is well overdue for a re waterproofing

Originally Posted by Hayden

How do you rekon this mix will go on canvas guys? My tent is well overdue for a re waterproofing

Prepare to want to stab your eyeballs out watching/listening to this guy, but works on a cotton sheet, so can see why it wouldn't on canvas... might lose a bit of breathability though?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=z_R0gEDZhAI
(Highly recommend changing the playback speed to at least 1.5... it's very, very painful otherwise)

I need to redo my fly tarp at some point, so shout across the valley if you want to come check it out.

Originally Posted by Hayden

How do you rekon this mix will go on canvas guys? My tent is well overdue for a re waterproofing

It will work just fine. Make a light brew so that it soaks right in and when properly dry give it a second coat. canvas isnt actually water proof as such, it only becomes waterproof once the fibres are wet and swell, so doing the silicon dip will improve it and stop it getting sodden and heavy

Thanks guys will try this in spring when it warms up a bit

@yea_na_missed will do mate still haven’t got to that DVB beer. I lost your number somewhere along the way

Originally Posted by Hayden

Thanks guys will try this in spring when it warms up a bit

@yea_na_missed will do mate still haven’t got to that DVB beer. I lost your number somewhere along the way

@Hayden I have coated a synthetic canvas pack with the silicone brew and it was very very successful - better than new because the rain just beads off, so pack does not get wet.
I have a canvas camper cover that fits over a tube frame for the back of a ute. I plan to coat it and I am sure the result will be great. I tried boiled linseed on a canvas thermal Army surplus coat to water proof it as a feeding out jacket. The jacket turned out very hardwearing but went yellowish and unsightly over time and hard and crinkly with the polymerized linseed. This doesnt happen to silicone

I did my old canvas pack..took it very well,slightly darker but definately water proof now.

years ago we needed to redo our 12x12 tent..green roof white sides...bombproof when pitched right...
any way,got the stuff from smiths city..looked for all the world like PVA glue,even smelt the same.... I stripped down to shorts and got stuck in,painting the stuff on..the roof was problimatic but got it done plus quite a bit of it on myself.... finished job and went to clean up...ever tried to wash waterproof armpits??? it just doesnt work..wife was rolling around laughing no help at all.

Originally Posted by Hayden

Thanks guys will try this in spring when it warms up a bit

@yea_na_missed will do mate still haven’t got to that DVB beer. I lost your number somewhere along the way

Ha! Was thinking the same when replying above! We really must support the local economy! Sing out next time you've got an hour or two to fill.

Originally Posted by Hayden

How do you rekon this mix will go on canvas guys? My tent is well overdue for a re waterproofing

In the past I have used beeswax in turps, warmed up over a stove till the beeswax dissolves. Then sprayed on with an old vacuum cleaner. A paint brush should do the job, just a bit slower. Used to be good for three or so years.

Originally Posted by XR500

In the past I have used beeswax in turps, warmed up over a stove till the beeswax dissolves. Then sprayed on with an old vacuum cleaner. A paint brush should do the job, just a bit slower. Used to be good for three or so years.

Right... it's not April 1st, so you may or may not have been expecting this question... but how le fuck did you apply liquid beeswax with a vacuum cleaner?? I'd hate to empty the dust bag after that!