How to waterproof fabric:

[Lucky]

I've got some kind of heavy canvas-like fabric, and wonder how to water-proof it so it could be hung up and make a sort of tent.

I've heard of using Scotchguard, but that's kind of expensive. I've seen cowboy coats and hats, Tilley iirc, that are like a greasy canvas material, and wonder if maybe there's some old-fashioned way to water-proof fabric. Maybe smear butter on it or something.

 

[Plink]

Linseed oil and beeswax will work pretty well. You might look up "oilcloth" and see if you find any references to making it. I'm sure there are a lot of oils and waxes that'll work.

You might try muzzleloadingforum.com also, as they have a lot of information like that in the camp gear forum. A lot of reenactors hang out there and they make a lot of their own gear, including tents and clothing. I'm sure they'd know.

If you sign in through this link, I get a referral credit. I have no idea what they're for but I figure having a few can't be bad.

http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/fusionbb.php?referral/9048/

 

[thirty-thirty]

Get a block of parrafin and melt it, mix with mineral spirits and apply as a liquid. The mineral spirits will evaporate and leave a dry waxy coat that will not turn black like linseed oil will.

 

[Car Knocker]

Be aware that many of the formulas that waterproof fabric also make it extremely flammable.

 

[Lucky]

Ok thanks for the links and information.

I've got a recipe from welding classes on how to fireproof fabric, using borax and stuff. Do you think that being done ahead of time would counter smearing it with wax?

 

[Car Knocker]

Might want to treat a small piece of the fabric with the borax solution, wax/oil it, and then test it for flammability.

 

[Plink]

Good advice from Car Knocker. It'd be best to test various combos to see what's going to give you the best waterproofing with the least flammability. Can you post your fireproofing formulas? That might be handy info for many of us.

 

[thirty-thirty]

Where can you buy Borax?

 

[Lucky]

Not sure, I just wore a suede coat.

Welding book:

Recipe:
5 pounds Borax
3 pounds Boracic Acid
5 gallons Water

-Soak in solution for 24 hours, then hang-dry. Treated clothing must be dry-cleaned to keep fire-resistant qualities.

Borax sold as '20 Mule Team', says the internet.

And Wikipedia says Boracic acid is the same thing as Boric Acid, which is Borax.


So I guess all a person needs is Borax and water.

 

[Car Knocker]

Actually, Wiki says that Boric Acid is produced FROM borate minerals with the use of sulfuric acid. Quite different from plain borax.

 

[Sunray]

Crappy Tire sells waterproofing for cotton.

 

[Lucky]

Heh, but I want el-cheapo home-remedy type stuff

 

[Plink]

You can buy boric acid as roach powder. You can also get it in almost any pharmacy, or at least you could a few years ago. It's used to make eye wash when mixed with distilled water. Borax is available in the cleaning products section of better equipped stores. They're not the same chemical, and both are very safe to work with and relatively easy to find. Thanks for posting the formula! That's an easy one to make.