Reproofing awning fabric

[saint-spoon]

My porch awning was in need of a bit of a reproof as it was starting to let the rain seep through (to be honest it was a year old and was still relying on the manufacturer’s original waterproofing which I always think isn’t as good as it should be (and I have had a fair few tents in my time)). I was looking to get a couple of aerosols of reproofer and UV protection spray when a colleague at work asked why I didn’t buy a gallon drum of reproofer and a garden spray squirty bottle. So I did. Fantastic, I got 2x 2.5litre tins of reproofer and a pump up 2 litre garden sprayer for the same price as 2x 75cl aerosol cans of the same reproofer and it used less than a quarter of the first can to do my porch awning. I bet that I am the only one who hadn’t already clicked onto this money saving tip already.

 

[Anseo]

Hi S S,
What brand re-proofer did you use and supplier please?

Any precautions suggested when applying it with a garden sprayer?

Thanks,
John

 

[saint-spoon]

My reproofer of choice is fabsil for no reason other than I have always used that brand. I found the supplier through a well known online shop that has a prime next day delivery service, the supplier provided the bottle as well and it came to £25.
As for spraying, read the instructions on the can, only use in well ventilated areas, avoid inhaling the spray and so on. The stuff is highly flammable but not classified as being particularly toxic to humans or dangerous to marine life (according to the hazard data sheet that I have just looked up on line.)
What I did was, lay the (porch) awning flat on the deck and sprayed along the bead line and down the side areas that sit alongside the caravan. Once dry which doesn’t take long, I slide the awning up onto the caravan and sprayed the roof. I then inflated the airframe and pegged it out before giving the sides a spray. There was a light breeze so I was careful not to get covered in the spray or breathe too much in. I then emptied what was left in the sprayer back into the tin and filled it up with water to give the nozzle a clean out of sealant.

I managed to seal the whole porch awning with about a litre of sealant

 

[pensioner]

I too use Fabsil,,from the same supplier but apply with a brush.

I have a largish area in front of my garage which is flagged, so I lay a used sheet down and spread the awning out on top and then paint on the Fabsil, then rub it well in with a clean cloth as directed on the tin. It's important if doing it this way not to allow it to dry before you complete a section or you'll end up with "lines" on the fabric. Then spread it out over whatever is available to get the air around and under it and let it dry.

Done this with tents and trailer tents with 100% success.