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How To Weatherproof A Tent: 5 Easy Steps You Need To Know

October 1, 2017 by Paul Watson Leave a Comment

Are you in a situation that you need to weatherproof your tent? If you are, then you’re lucky because I’ll teach you how to weatherproof a tent in just 5 easy steps. It’s actually smart to weatherproof your own tent because buying a new one might cost you a few hundred dollars.

Why weatherproof your tent? The answer is simple- to protect you from any kind of bad weather, especially rain. I actually did mine a few weeks back and the result was satisfying. For complete instructions, keep on reading.

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How To Weatherproof A Tent
What You’ll Need
For Waterproofing
For Cleaning
Optional Cleaning Materials
A. In case for old sealants
B. In case for mildews and mold
C. In case for pine sap
Step-By-Step Instructions
1. Clean Your Tent
2. Use A Tarp
3. Seal The Seams And Any Tiny Holes
4. Apply Waterproof Spray On The Tent
5. Check For Leaks And Reapply As Needed
Pro Tips
Final Thought

What You’ll Need

For Waterproofing

What Features To Look For On A Good Tent

Seam Sealer

Although most tents are factory taped, they aren’t sealed so you need a tube of seam sealer to prevent the water from getting into the cracks. This is a polyurethane glue that percolates into each crevice of your tent. When it dries, it creates a watertight barrier.

What I use is McNett Outdoor’s Seam Grip With Brush Applicator . Some other great brands are Aquaseal’s Seam Seal and Kenyon’s Seam Sealer. You can buy them mostly in outdoor shops.

Waterproof Spray

To waterproof your floor and walls, you need a waterproof spray, like the Nikwax TC Direct Waterproofing. Unlike other waterproof sprays, Nikwax TC Direct is safe to use as it doesn’t have fluorocarbons and volatile organic compounds. Best of all, it improves the breathability of your tent’s fabric.

Cloth

You’ll need a piece of cloth to distribute the waterproof spray thoroughly.Any piece of cloth will do for this job. If you can’t find a cloth, use brush or spray.

Tarp

When it comes to waterproofing, the floor tends to be the most important part. Your tent will definitely get wet when your floor leaks even if it doesn’t rain. The moisture from the grass, especially in the morning, will surely appear on your tent’s interior.

For these reasons, you need to place a tarp beneath your tent. You should do this even if your tent is in good condition because the tarp will prevent your tent from any damage due to rocks trapped beneath your tent. You can also use a tarp if you don’t have a rainfly.

For Cleaning

How To Weatherproof A Tent

Sponge

You’ll need a non-abrasive sponge to clean your tent before you apply the waterproof solutions. The sponge will gently remove any soiled areas on your fly and floor. Unlike the rough-surfaced sponges, a soft sponge won’t tear your tent’s fabric.

Water

You’ll need water to lather the soap. For spot cleaning, I recommend that you use lukewarm water because it helps loosen solid dirt areas and preserves the integrity of your tent’s fabric. If you decide to clean the whole tent, use cold water in a tub.


Optional Cleaning Materials

A. In case for old sealants

Toothbrush

In the case of any flaky remains of old sealant, you may need a toothbrush to remove any of them. I recommend that you use an old toothbrush so you don’t have to spend another dime.

Rag

You’ll need a rag to wipe the seams clean. Before you apply the sealant, you need to clean the surface so you get a good bond of your new waterproof sealant. You can use any old piece of cloth available in your home.

Isopropyl Alcohol

You’ll be using the isopropyl alcohol to soak your rag for cleaning. The isopropyl alcohol will safely remove the remaining sealants on your tent by breaking down the old sealant layers.

You’ll normally find a few different strengths, either 40% or 70%, but it doesn’t matter much what you use. I recommend that you dilute 50% alcohol with 50% water to lessen the chances of streaking.

B. In case for mildews and mold

Enzyme Cleaner

Now if you find your old tent discolored and smelling musty, then probably some microorganisms have started to grow. To stop the growth of molds, use an enzyme killer but remember not to over scrub or it may ruin your tent’s fabric.

C. In case for pine sap

Unscented Powder

Actually, a pine sap is not a tent killer but this can be messy when ignored. If you have to deal with pine sap, use unscented powder. Alternatively, you can use mineral oil, wet wipes, or hand sanitizer.


Step-By-Step Instructions

Now that you get all things prepared, let’s get started!

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1. Clean Your Tent

First things first, clean your tent. Your waterproof sealant won’t bond well to the fabric unless it’s clean and dry. Soak your soft sponge with water. Gently scrub the dirty parts by hand and pay great attention to coated areas.

If you have some peeling remains of old sealant on the seams, remove them with a toothbrush. Dip your rag with isopropyl alcohol and wipe the seams clean. Let them dry for a few minutes.

For mildews and molds, gently scrub them away with an enzyme cleaner. If you have to deal with pine sap, sprinkle the affected area with unscented powder. You can also use wet wipes or hand sanitizer and rinse thoroughly with water.


2. Use A Tarp

One of the major causes of a leaky floor is the moisture from vegetation underneath your tent. To solve this issue, you need to put a tarp underneath. Aside from protecting you from wet floors, a tarp can also be used as a shield from pointy rocks.

The beauty of a tarp is it can also be used as a rainfly in case your tent doesn’t have one. Simply cover your tent with the tarp and secure it by placing rocks or stakes on the edges. Make sure that the tarp doesn’t touch the tent.

For visual reference, watch this video:​


3. Seal The Seams And Any Tiny Holes

Most tents are made with factory taped seams. Although this is better than nothing, water can still seep into the walls and floor. To apply, simply put a generous coat of seam sealer in long, even strokes.

Allow the sealant to dry for about an hour and repeat the same process to seal any gaps. If you find some tiny holes in your tent fabric fix them with the seam sealer.


4. Apply Waterproof Spray On The Tent

Once all the seams are sealed, apply waterproof spray on the entire floor. Spray the waterproof solution to the floor and use a cloth to distribute it evenly. Allow the solution to dry completely.

Apply the waterproof spray on the walls the same way you did on the floor. Spray the walls with the waterproof solution and distribute evenly with the cloth. If your tent has a rainfly, don’t forget to spray with some waterproof solution, too.

This time, you may not apply too much solution because your cloth might already soak with too much solution. Simply squeeze the solution out of the cloth and apply onto the wall or the rainfly. Let it dry for a couple of hours and you’re ready to go.


5. Check For Leaks And Reapply As Needed

When the seam sealer and the waterproof spray dry completely, check for more leaks. Simply set your tent under a sprinkler and look for leaks. If you see one, reapply it with the sealant.

You may want to reapply your tent with the waterproof spray and seam sealer before each trip. This is even more important if your tent has encountered some rain from your past trip.


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Pro Tips

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    Never put your tent in a washing machine or a dryer because it can damage the fabric, seams, and mesh.
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    The waterproof sealant may be unpleasant to get off your hands. For this reason, I recommend that you wear a pair of gloves when weatherproofing your tent.
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    Only weatherproof your tent when it’s fully clean and dry or else your sealant won’t bond effectively.
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    If you expect some heavy rains on the area that you plan to camp, apply more than one coating of waterproof sealant as possible.
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    Before you spray the waterproof solution inside the tent, open all doors and windows. This prevents you from inhaling the toxic substances of this product.

Final Thought

There you go people, five easy steps on how to weatherproof a tent. It’s actually easy and affordable to weatherproof your old tent than to buy an expensive waterproof tent for just a single trip. Just a few things - a tarp, seam sealer, and waterproof spray- then you’re ready to enjoy a great time your family and friends even with a bad weather.

If you’re tried weatherproofing your tent, tell us what you think about this article in the comment section. Please share this art​icle with your friends if you like it.

SEE ALSO: 

- The Best Tent Brands Of 2017: A Buyer’s Guide You Need To Know​​​​

- The 5 Best Waterproofing Sprays 2017

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Filed Under: Tents & Shelters

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