Waterproofing my bivvy ?

[kestrel]

My JRC sti is leaking at some of the seams, has anyone successfully waterproofed their bivyy ? Anyone got any advice please ?

[frenchdub]

Hi there

 

You'll find various proofing sprays in camping stores, but these generally only work for a limited period. Generally leaking seams means that the tapes have come of. Not much you can do about this other than return the bivvy to the shop either under warranty of to get it returned to JRC for re-taping.

 

One product I have found to work well for a longer period is Thomsons Waterseal. Not really designed for fabrics it does however work well. If you bivvy is past repairing then this may be worth a try. Worked on my Titan.

 

cheers

Gareth

[kestrel]

Hi there

 

You'll find various proofing sprays in camping stores, but these generally only work for a limited period. Generally leaking seams means that the tapes have come of. Not much you can do about this other than return the bivvy to the shop either under warranty of to get it returned to JRC for re-taping.

 

One product I have found to work well for a longer period is Thomsons Waterseal. Not really designed for fabrics it does however work well. If you bivvy is past repairing then this may be worth a try. Worked on my Titan.

 

cheers

Gareth

 

It is the tape , you are right ,it has actually come away from the material above the door,I have spoken to JRC and they say they do not sell the tape. The bivvy is about a 3- 4 years old now ,It is fine other than a couple of small "chewed holes" Mice/Rats in the shed !

I will try to get some tape ,

 

Anyone know where I can get some tape for sealing the joints on the inside of a tent/ bivvy ?

[jay]

You can get seam tapes from camping shops,but its not that great

I found the best way is clear mastic,squirt some in a small container,and from the inside using a 1/4" brush just paint the seams,lasts for years

[kestrel]

You can get seam tapes from camping shops,but its not that great

I found the best way is clear mastic,squirt some in a small container,and from the inside using a 1/4" brush just paint the seams,lasts for years

 

Thats a good idea

[chesters1]

Hi there

 

You'll find various proofing sprays in camping stores, but these generally only work for a limited period. Generally leaking seams means that the tapes have come of. Not much you can do about this other than return the bivvy to the shop either under warranty of to get it returned to JRC for re-taping.

 

One product I have found to work well for a longer period is Thomsons Waterseal. Not really designed for fabrics it does however work well. If you bivvy is past repairing then this may be worth a try. Worked on my Titan.

 

cheers

Gareth

i use it on tents and its a quarter the price and contains more silicone than fabsil ,if you read the can it does say suitable for fabrics (sleeping bags and canvas) i proof my coat with it as well .pongs a bit till its aired but good stuff ,at £9.99 a gallon compared to £39.99 of fabsil its good stuff.

if you have leaking seams either seam tape or a silicone sealent with a sponge in the top are available at camping shops use a hairdryer with the tape it sticks better as you apply it..

nylon doesn't really need reproofing as the waterproof barrier is welded to the outer skin but despite warnings about using it i havn't had a problem using it on nylon things yet.

sprayings best but you can brush it on keeping a wet edge (apply from the bottom upwards) but dont spot spray do the complete thing or it will show

for holes in out of the way places a tape similar to duck tape is useful its called tenacious tape or a patch can be stuck on with copydex but stitching all around the patch is better.

if your going the whole hog do the seams first as the tape wont stick to the waterproofer.

i waterproofed my tent last year and it drank 6 gallons its lucky thompsons is far cheaper than fabsil but canvas is far more absorbant than nylon

Edited March 29, 2008 by chesters1

[cheshire1]

i use it on tents and its a quarter the price and contains more silicone than fabsil ,if you read the can it does say suitable for fabrics (sleeping bags and canvas) i proof my coat with it as well .pongs a bit till its aired but good stuff ,at £9.99 a gallon compared to £39.99 of fabsil its good stuff.

if you have leaking seams either seam tape or a silicone sealent with a sponge in the top are available at camping shops use a hairdryer with the tape it sticks better as you apply it..

nylon doesn't really need reproofing as the waterproof barrier is welded to the outer skin but despite warnings about using it i havn't had a problem using it on nylon things yet.

sprayings best but you can brush it on keeping a wet edge (apply from the bottom upwards) but dont spot spray do the complete thing or it will show

for holes in out of the way places a tape similar to duck tape is useful its called tenacious tape or a patch can be stuck on with copydex but stitching all around the patch is better.

if your going the whole hog do the seams first as the tape wont stick to the waterproofer.

i waterproofed my tent last year and it drank 6 gallons its lucky thompsons is far cheaper than fabsil but canvas is far more absorbant than nylon

 

I found the same problem with a two man bivey that i was given, i found that if you go to a clothing shop and buy some iron on hem tape it workes wonders, just a word of warning place a slight damp cloth over the peice that you are ironing then you cant melt the bivey.