My mate has just been given a lovely canvas canoe (varnished wooden ribs, etc.) and was wondering what waterproofing treatment he could apply to the canvas fabric? He's tested it in the local canal and the water was beginning to "sweat" through, so any top treatment tips/formulas would be appreciated from the STW massive...
Can't remember what it was called, but we used to use the same stuff that was used on cloth aircraft wing covers "dope".
Smelt like a cellulose varnish. Then we'd paint the boat.
That was a long time ago though, there surely must be something better by now. 🙂
I suspect in part it will depend what's already on there - as above cellulose based 'dope' was a popular choice (especially for young boys buildign model planes in an enclosed space!) in the olden days but it's probably not a good idea to slap it over a polyurethane based treatment.
Ironically, he's into model gliders, so he knows about the use of "dope", etc., for tissue/balsa airframes. Apparently the canvas was covered in "mesowax", but he says this is no longer made. Wondering what the "modern day" equivalent would be?
Worth a call to Barbour? Surely whatever they use on wax jackets would be the thing?
Fabsil would be the modern equivalent for cotton canvas tent waterproofing. Maybe test a small area for compatability?
Cheers for the replys. I'll get him to do a little more research...