Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2016 12:02:15 GMT -8
I have an old Mountain Hardware hiking tent that I bought around 1996. I've taken it out a couple of times in recent years and got thoroughly soaked when the rain fly leaked like a sieve. Someone told me that rain fly material deteriorates and loses its waterproofness over time.
Is there anything I can do to restore the usefulness of the rain fly? Or should I just throw out the tent? Seems a real shame to discard an entire tent just because part of it has outlived its usefulness.
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franco
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Post by franco on Dec 28, 2016 12:35:37 GMT -8
You could try washing your tent fly with soapy water (not detergent, pure soap) wash it off well, let dry , then apply : www.atsko.com/silicone-water-guard-1-gallon/you can get a spray can version but that may not last more than a season. |
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Dec 28, 2016 12:48:22 GMT -8
Use the fly as a pattern to cut a new fly, preferably out of sil-nylon. Or, call MH customer service and see what they do for you. Might be able to get a reduced price off a new fly.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2016 13:47:38 GMT -8
Is it leaking through the seams or through the fabric itself?
You can use Gear Aid Seam-Grip for sealing the tent seams. I used a bottle of it recently on two tents and part of a rain poncho.
There's also a Tent Sure Tent Sealant for the body of the fabric (although I have no experience with it), and other products to apply a durable water repellant coating (NikWax Tent and Gear Solar-Proof; I've applied it to a couple tents, but haven't taken them in the field since applying it).
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bluefish
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Post by bluefish on Dec 28, 2016 13:52:55 GMT -8
www.mcnett.com/gearaid/blog/how-to-waterproof-a-tentI've used these to seal my older Sierra Design Stretch Dome (4 season bomb proof) , and our Big Agnes Fly Creek that has 300 nights on it. I have also used the Solar-Proof that Scott mentioned to stop UV damage on the BA's fly.
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Post by dirthurts on Dec 28, 2016 19:18:16 GMT -8
Are you sure that rain is leaking through and it's not just condensation? That's a common mistake people make. If not, does the tent smell bad? If it's deteriorating it could smell rank (mildew) and at that point there is no saving it.
Otherwise, just cleaning the tent can make a big difference, and spraying on or washing in new water repellency should fix it up, perhaps better than new as technologies have improved a bit.
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Dec 29, 2016 8:57:18 GMT -8
I have an old SD tent and my rain fly delaminated. I washed it, scrubbed off the old laminate and seamtape, put on fresh, used my own silicone mixture thinned out, used a roller and put it on. I used my Kiwi Campdry heavyduty on the outside. It has been in use for nearly five years now since then. It is performing admirably. It took a heck of a long time to outgas - three weeks if I recall.
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talus
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Post by talus on Dec 29, 2016 9:41:50 GMT -8
1996? I don't think I'd want to trust a 20 year old tent. I'm guessing water will soak through the floor as well.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2016 9:59:14 GMT -8
1996? I don't think I'd want to trust a 20 year old tent. I'm guessing water will soak through the floor as well. I have a ~30 year old North Face Westwind (4 season mountaineering tent). Old enough it was actually Made in USA  The nylon seems to still be in pretty good shape, aside from a couple small tears I repaired with repair tape. I just applied Gear Aid Seam Grip and Solar Proof earlier this year. The important thing with nylon tents is to not store them in the stuff sack. The waterproof coating needs to be able to outgas, or it begins to delaminate. It's better to store them loosely in a cotton laundry bag or something in which it can "breathe". |
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Post by zipposdad on Dec 29, 2016 17:08:50 GMT -8
Westwind was our first and favorite. Light for its time, heavy today...
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Post by Deleted on Dec 31, 2016 18:49:06 GMT -8
Westwind was our first and favorite. Light for its time, heavy today... You're right about the Westwind being heavy by today's standard. Even my "new tent" (2001 SD Clip Flashlight; shown in my avatar) is heavy compared to some of the more recent designs. I wouldn't buy a 4 season mountaineering tent again as it's more than needed for anything I realistically do these days, but I would use it for general purpose winter camping. |
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