Cleaning a canvas wall tent?

[bcsteve]

I just purchased a used 14'x16' wall tent from an exploring company. The tent is only 2 years old and the canvas is in great condition but it is dirty. The back wall is dirty from the diesel stove (soot and a few splash of diesel) and the front door is dirty from what I assume is people brushing against is with muddy jackets as they were coming in. What is the best way to clean it without removing the mildew/waterproof/fireproof coating?

[tuchodi]

Most any cleaner you use will take a lot of life out of the treatment but just warm water will work on dirt on it to some extent. I talked with a retired fellow that worked for Northwest Tent and Awning and he told me that the water treatment used is just Thompsons Water Sealer repackaged. I have used this for about 20 years on my tent and it has kept it like new. Just aply with a garden sprayer.

[boxhitch]

Crappy Tire also sells the waterproofing by the bucket. Set up the tent and get after it with a pressure washer. Maybe measure the bay at the carwash first to make sure it fits.

[bcsteve]

I've seen those gallons of canvas waterproofing at Canadian Tire. Anybody know if it's good stuff or is there something more "professional". I've sent an email to Deluxe Wall Tent. I've been honest and told them that the tent wasn't made by them but was requesting their experience since they have such a good reputation. Hopefully they'll be willing to help. I'll post their answer.

[ape]

I've seen those gallons of canvas waterproofing at Canadian Tire. Anybody know if it's good stuff or is there something more "professional". I've sent an email to Deluxe Wall Tent. I've been honest and told them that the tent wasn't made by them but was requesting their experience since they have such a good reputation. Hopefully they'll be willing to help. I'll post their answer.

We used the Cambodian tire water seal on our tent this year and it worked excellent. If you have a 14x16 buy two jugs of it to do the whole tent.

[bcsteve]

Cool! good to know. How did you apply it, brushed, rolled, spray?

[Buck]

I used the Canadian tire stuff on my Noresman tent and it works great.I brushes it on and i used about 2 gallons on my 10x12 that was a thorough treatment.

[ape]

Like Buck says you brush it on.

[dukester]

light pressure wash with soap-- let it dry hard-- 3 coats of water seal. let dry 100%- seams and corners will take the longest.. when you think its dry leave it out for another 2 days.. mold is not good.. i have an old 8x10 i do this every 5 yrs.. so far so good. if you don't have a pressure washer like me.. car wash works just fine.

[rgv]

Steve, unless you can 1) wash it while set up on a frame and 2) hang dry it somewhere heated like a hangar, leave it alone until springtime when you can get it really dry in the sun.

simple green with a regular wash brush works fine, be careful with a pressure washer too.

[bcsteve]

Yeah for sure, I'm not planning to touch it until next summer when it's going to be hot and sunny for a few days and have a frame built. Lots of info on Google as well but lots of it is also conflicting. Hopefully I'll get some answer from the experts (builders/manufacturers) that I sent some emails to.

[bc sportsman]

After washing or waterproofing, if you get caught with a potential spell of upcoming bad weather, put your wood burning stove or a kerosene heater inside the tent. Speeds up the drying process dramatically.

[Will]

A geat Home mix for "cleaning" canvas is this......
50% Rubbing alcohol and 50% water.

It works.....

Given to me by a Canvas repair specialist in the biz for a long time, spray onto dirty areas and brush clean....repeat after drying if necessary.
It removes Mildew stains too etc......

Most Canvas repair places shun the commercial cleaners as they ALL contain Bleach in one form or another which can be detrimental to the waterproofing, stiching, and the canvas itself;)

[bcsteve]

Thanks for the info so far. Still waiting for an answer from Deluxe Wall Tents and Alpha Tent & Canvas. I'll post their suggestions when I get them.

[bcsteve]

Straight from Deluxe:

The safest way to clean a wall tent is to use a mild detergent like Ivory dish soap in warm water and a scrub brush. This will remove most stains and shouldn't affect your treatments.

[rred]

Most any cleaner you use will take a lot of life out of the treatment but just warm water will work on dirt on it to some extent. I talked with a retired fellow that worked for Northwest Tent and Awning and he told me that the water treatment used is just Thompsons Water Sealer repackaged. I have used this for about 20 years on my tent and it has kept it like new. Just aply with a garden sprayer.

Has anyone else used Thompson Water Seal on canvas before?
Its about 1/3 as costly as the Canvas Waterproofing product at Canadian Tire.
Thanks

[trebreklaw]

I have used Thompsons Water seal and it worked good. Needed 2 - 3.78 cans to get it saturated on 12x14 wall tent