Re-coating a tent fly

[Moondog55]

Just opened and unpacked one of my spare tents ( KIDS) and found the urethane coating has gone sticky and totally degraded leaving some parts of the nylon unproofed.
Cheap 2 pole tent from Kathmandu "Wild Country" about 12 years old, still worth using and a good candidate for a winter rebuild if I can fix the proofing, weight isn't an issue with me and winter tents; i have had too many die in a storm to go ultra-lite in the snow, so if I can fix the proofing I'll add a third hoop pole in the centre and a extra guy points.

I happen to have a few litres of silicon waterproofing from "Diggers" made for concrete and wonder if the stuff would work on the tent?? Anybody have any experience there??
Regards
Ted

[Moondog55]

I really need some help here, the fly is too good to trow the tent away but it now leaks like a seive

[Franco]

I'll attempt an answer...
Nikwax have the Tent and Gear solarproof spray on that is designed to do that.
If silicone will work on your fabric I do not know.
This is what I would do considering that if it does not work you are not that much worst off.
If your silicone is not diluted already (IE runny) mix a little blob with some mineral spirits (I would use Turpentine) and apply that (very runny) to a small area.
If it takes , that is after 24 hours or so it does not peel off , then consider mixing a qty of it , say 100g at a time , with Turp and spray that on if you have a spray gun or paint it on.
Spray on would result in a much lighter coat.
Franco

[Moondog55]

Thanx Frako; those were the lines I was thinking along, as you say I don't have much to loose here

[Moondog55]

Now I am wondering if I should throw the fly in the washing machine and take off all of the flaking polyurethane

[Maelgwn]

So did you try the siliocone? When you do, make sure you leave it to dry as long as you can before packing it away. Several days prefereably

I have no real experience in this but I would recommend avoiding the washing machine and just scraping the flaking polyurethane as the bits that stay on will still be waterproof. But the silicone may hold better to areas where the polyurethane is missing, meaning it is sensible to scrape more off.

If it was mine and I had the time I would buy some new silnylon and sew a new one. So if you know someone who can sew ...

[Moondog55]

No I haven't tried the silicone yet, and my beloved wife can sew as can I but this is tapered tunnel and not easy to replicated without an industrial sewing machine and a really big sewing table.
I have been meaning to add the third hoop for years, this is the ideal time I suppose.
One of the reasons I want to save this tent is the really steep side walls, on another forum it was recommended to try polyurethane varnish, but I don't think that would be flexible enough

[Maelgwn]

To sew something like silnylon and even coated nylon you don't need a heavy duty machine. The stuff is so thin any machine will work. It is really easy to work worth and you have a plan to follow in terms of the old fly. I am not going to say it is easy but you have a plan to follow in the old fly that you can replicate. I reckon you could do it in a weekend.

[Moondog55]

I tried my Elna and the stuff will not feed, I need a machine with a walking foot

[Maelgwn]

I tried my Elna and the stuff will not feed, I need a machine with a walking foot

Sorry, didn't really think about that problem. Our machine has a walking foot ...

Anyway, I am very keen to find out the results from the silicone experiment if you try it.

[Moondog55]

Iwill make sure I do so, i'll try and take photos as I go too