Silnylon Tent 'Wetting Out'

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onward
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Silnylon Tent 'Wetting Out'

Tue 25 Apr, 2017 6:41 am

I have a Tarptent StratoSpire 1 and StratoSpire 2 (yes, I like he model!). When new, water beaded off the outer (both sides i.e., from rain and condensation) recently the SS1 which has done about 90 nights stopped beading (I am guessing it happened slowly - I just didn't notice it) and now when it gets wet (either side) the material is more like a 'wetted out' rain jacket.

This means a quick shake doesn't get rid of most of the water and the tent says wet forever and when packed the wet outer soaks the inner, which is not nice when I set up at dusk later that day! It has been such an issue lately that I have started taking inner down separately, which defeats the object of having an integrated pitch tent!

Is this just what happens to Silnylon over time and is there anything that will restore the water-repellence?
simonm
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Re: Silnylon Tent 'Wetting Out'

Tue 25 Apr, 2017 8:08 am

It is possible the tent is simply dirty. Have you tried cleaning it with an appropriate method?
Moondog55
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Re: Silnylon Tent 'Wetting Out'

Tue 25 Apr, 2017 8:12 am

All DWR treatments wear off in time
simonm
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Re: Silnylon Tent 'Wetting Out'

Tue 25 Apr, 2017 9:19 am

Moondog55 wrote:All DWR treatments wear off in time


Silicone coated fabrics don't have a DWR coating.
Moondog55
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Re: Silnylon Tent 'Wetting Out'

Tue 25 Apr, 2017 9:20 am

Inner tent ??
Franco
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Re: Silnylon Tent 'Wetting Out'

Tue 25 Apr, 2017 12:59 pm

First give it a good clean with warm soapy water (soap not detergent, Velvet soap will do...) and of course rinse well after .
If that does not work, get a can of silicone waterproofing spray.
Atsko is a good one but there are others. (outdoor shop or Bunnings)
Just in case, NOT silicone lubricant...

btw, when I shot that video we used the standard 1200mm waterhead silnylon. The type we use now is rated at 3000mm.
However beading is a different matter but fixed the same way.
I know that some do it every season , one of the most prolific American forum posters, a Hilleberg user, does that but he is out a lot.
Suz
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Re: Silnylon Tent 'Wetting Out'

Tue 25 Apr, 2017 4:14 pm

Ooooh I have the same issue...helpful advice thx :)
onward
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Re: Silnylon Tent 'Wetting Out'

Tue 25 Apr, 2017 5:30 pm

I did try Franco's washing method, but it didn't help. Compared the beading to a sinylon pack cover I made from some material from Simon, huge difference...I'll get some Atsko silicone spray tomorrow and give it try when the weather improves!
Thanks all
rcaffin
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Re: Silnylon Tent 'Wetting Out'

Tue 25 Apr, 2017 7:47 pm

I respray my silnylon tent every 2 - 3 years with silicone spray. I find it helps.
Mind you, 'wetting out' on the inside is condensation.

Cheers
Roger
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