Thread: Rejuvenating/waterproofing rubberised canvas

Hello from Brisbane.

Planning on camping for a couple of nights next week and decided to try out my old two-person field tent - bought new in 1975 and last used and packed away in 1988.

It was made in Poland and, despite some initial misgivings of buying something from the Bloc, proved itself to be tougher than teak and apparently near-indestructible in the years I was actively using it. Probably shouldn't surprise anyone who has owned a Terka tent, but the commies weren't exactly renowned for quality control in consumer goods.

Anyway, on unpacking it and expecting the worst found that it was as good as the day it was last packed away ~26 years ago. I was expecting the parachute/japara inner might have rotted and the rubberised cotton floor to be perished but, in fact, it is still pretty good as are the rubber rings for the fly pegs.

Given that it appears to still have plenty of scope for useful service I am thinking to apply some sort of sealant/protector on the rubberised floor to prolong its life - it would have last been done back in the mid-70's at the factory.

Can anyone recommend a good product?

Cheers,

Hi there. I personally,wouldn't touch the material.
Put the tent up in your back yard and give it a few good soakings with the hose,letting the the tent dry,between soaks. This will season the canvas and make it waterproof. As for the floor. If it is still in good nick,buy some shade cloth and use it as a footprint under your tent. Those old cotton tents will last for decades,if they are dried out correctly after use and stored in a dry environment. Cheers Phil.