White canvas painters tarps

**exsailor** · 01-22-2013, 11:31 AM

I used a painters tarp for my first fly. It leaked a little until it got wet and then sealed itself. At one time I tried to waterproof it using a 3M spray can product. It was expensive and not very effective. Later I used a product called "canvac" to waterproof my tent when it started leaking. I got it at "The Log cabin Shop". It is a bit pricey, but effective. Other People have used Thompsons on their lodges, but it tends to get stiff if laid on heavy. I would never spray waterproofing. It doesn't get the penetration or coverage you need. My friend sprayed canvac and it was running off his tent and didn't work. I rolled a 10x15 wall tent with a disposable roller used less than half a gallon and never had a problem.

**Rubicon_Dave** · 01-28-2013, 02:06 PM

I used a Sherwin Williams Painters tarp and did the aforementioned hot wash method. It shrank nicely and works good for summer and snow. I haven't had it in the rain yet but so far so good with nothing more than the hot wash. I live in the Sierra Nevada's and it's very dry in the winters up here so moisture has not been a concern. Add a sew-in stove jack for $30 and it works great.

Your results may vary if you're in the pacific northwest and getting drenched...

**Mountain Longhunters** · 01-29-2013, 12:41 AM

Thanks for the idea of using a painters canvas for tarp or even a haversack project. I bought a Rothco brand messenger bag and have already had to repair the shoulder strap. I like doing a little leather work as well so I should be able to some up with a combo idea for a haversack. Thanks again all!!!

**Pappy Frank** · 01-29-2013, 12:59 AM

The first painters tarp I used, I was young and ignorant, I bought it, opened it, and set it up. It never did leak.

I would advise the boil and some sort of waterproofing though. I saw a tent made from the same thing and the people lost a lot of good stuff in a heavy rain and had to leave the camp a couple of days early because of it. Everything under the tent was soaked.

I guess I was just fortunate, don't know why. Like I said, I was young and ignorant.

**brush_loper** · 02-03-2013, 07:42 AM

I bought one of those last spring. They work great. I also picked up a grommet kit at walmart and put grommets at the corners and along the sides for tie points. I haven't done anything else to it. Its been rained on several times and kept the ground under it dry.

**Joe Willson** · 02-03-2013, 10:37 AM

I'm going to be picking one up of those drop cloths to make a pullover parka. Same idea as the blanket shirts, just bigger and used as an outer shell. Scraps will probably become a seat or some bags.

**brains** · 02-03-2013, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by Joe Willson

I'm going to be picking one up of those drop cloths to make a pullover parka. Same idea as the blanket shirts, just bigger and used as an outer shell. Scraps will probably become a seat or some bags.

I like that idea. I have a tarp in the garage that I set up as a tent/tarp but now I have a BCUSA tarp and I think I will wash the canvas, make the parka and waterproof it. Thanks for the idea. I will need to find a pattern of some sort.
Thanks
Ed

**Joe Willson** · 02-03-2013, 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by brains

I like that idea. I have a tarp in the garage that I set up as a tent/tarp but now I have a BCUSA tarp and I think I will wash the canvas, make the parka and waterproof it. Thanks for the idea. I will need to find a pattern of some sort.
Thanks
Ed

I don't mean to hijack, but I am going with a simple pattern. Fold the canvas in half. The fold becomes the top, neck and arms. Cut a slit in the center for the neck, then only one seam to sew up each side. I'll look for the video I found on it for a blanket shirt.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkMa7MAeZnc
His fold towards the bottom confuses me, but just remember that the blanket is folded in half and the fold is at the top so when you cut it out the arms are already attached and just need the seam on the underside sewn. I think it will be easier to do than describe. DC also has a video on making a hunting shirt but his sleeves are seperate.
Good luck.

**Grillsgt** · 02-03-2013, 12:52 PM

This is a tent I made last year, I used mineral spirits and a tube of silicone mixture for the waterproofing.
I mixed 1 gallon of mineral spirits to one tube of silicone and mixed it until the silicone devolved, then just laid the tent out on the driveway and painted it on with a paint brush, ad let it dry real good.
This is me sewing some reinforcing strap to the bottom and tie off tabs for stakes

Here are the other pics of the completed tent