Roof canvas proofing?

zaq · Post by **zaq** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 8:04 pm

During our recent 30 day tour of Europe we encountered several wet periods where dampness combined with the two Zaqlets breathing during the night (we asked them not to) whilst sleeping in the roof resulted in serious and worryingly rapid mould growth on the inside of the canvas due to dampness penetrating the canvas from the inside.

After checking the forum I found the advice to use dettox mould & mildew remover. After 6 hours and two bottles of the stuff I now have a stunningly clean and mould free canvas.

My question is, should I now try to proof the inside of the canvas with something like Fabsil to prevent condensation penetrating the canvas ?

During the cleaning of the canvas I was able to study the fixing method of the base of the canvas to the roof and came to the conclusion that it is a very complex system. It would seem to me that any condensation is intended to run down the inside of the canvas and into a small well where it is directed out through a foam 'seal' which is located under the fixing rail which is loosely screwed to the roof of the van. At first I thought the screws were loose and needed tightening, but, I am pretty sure these should indeed be loose so as to allow water through the foam.

This seems to me to indicate that the inside of the canvas should be water repellent and that my current water absorbtion of the canvas is due to the effects of age and that re-proofing is in order.

Anyone got any views?

Z

dreamwarrioruk · Post by **dreamwarrioruk** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 8:11 pm

when we cleaned ours with the dettox mould gear we thought it would be best to reproof it, we used a product like fabsil but t wasnt exactly that. it was more for awnings and canvas that you througly wetted into the fabric and let it dry naturally. worked a treat.

trevd01 · Post by **trevd01** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 10:57 pm

The 'canvas' is coated with silvery plastic on the outside of ours. Is it different on old shapes (other than it being bright green, or blue)?

Josh N Sarah · Post by **Josh N Sarah** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 6:15 pm

Our roof is silver on outside. Just put some superglue on a couple of the rivet things this afternoon as they had come loose, seems to have worked fingers crossed.

When it rains heavily, we get a slight damp patch come through at the back. Not sure whether to put some waterproofing stuff on the outside or the inside?

Chris&Gem · Post by **Chris&Gem** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 8:13 pm

Hi Josh+Sarah, when you say, fingers crossed, does that mean you've glued your finger's together.

zaq · Post by **zaq** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 8:26 pm

We also have the silver version and the outside of the canvas has no problems repelling water.

I was just wondering if anyone else had problems with inside condensation on the canvas like we did. The amount of condensation created inside the roof (when sleeping in the roof) tent during a night is quite surprising, even with the top zip fully open. Without any dehumidifying system I just wondered how the designers expected this to disipate.

Sorry to hear about the problem with your fingers JnS. Just bathe them in hot water for an hour or so and seperate them with a pair of grozing pliers.

Josh N Sarah · Post by **Josh N Sarah** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 8:47 pm

We were originally using the glue to stick some led lights to the ceiling (the silver duck tape didn't work & they kept falling off). I did actually glue my fingers together but managed to prise them apart before it was too late

Mrs Josh N Sarah

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 10:51 pm

I made a tent lining set (4 sections) for my roof using reusable space blanket on one side, plastic mattress protector material on the other, and cheap Woolworths 9 tog duvet as filling. The result is - I think - no problem at all with condensation as exhaled moisture doesnt come into contact with the tent . Plus I get great insulation and total blackout. Well worth the effort on the sewing machine+++

JVC · Post by **JVC** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 10:00 am

I have a Mazda inner lining I bought on e-bay one night after too much Pinot Grigio. I have never even taken it out of its nice silver bag. May use it to extend the season, or more likely put it in the For Sale section when I get round to it.
So remember don't Drink and E-bay.

zaq · Post by **zaq** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 12:10 pm

Wow! A Mazda inner lining. You learn something new every day. Would be interested in that JVC.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 12:52 pm

I watched one on ebay before I even got my Bongo JVC - never seen or heard of one since but it is what prompted me to make my own. the one I watched went for around £100 from memory. I think lining a Bongo tent is a 100% good idea.

Josh N Sarah · Post by **Josh N Sarah** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 7:53 pm

mikeonb4c, was it easy to make your roof lining? Any chance of some pics. Would like to be able to sleep in the roof when it gets a bit colder as well & not freeze!

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 10:40 pm

Josh N Sarah - yes, it was easy enough but you have to like sitting at a sewing machine. I also made a full set of window blinds at the same time. Get a kingsize 13.5 tog duvet from Woolies - it is really 2 duvets - 1 x 9 tog and 1 x 4.5 tog. Then get a mattress protector set from Argos @ £9.99 or so - gives more than enough material. Then get 2 x reusable spaceblankets from SPS Services http://www.spservices.co.uk/product_inf ... ts_id=1307

Get a load of suitable tough polyester thread and get cracking. Its a faff trying to feed duvet through the sewing machine and some of th estitching is not elegant, but it all came together and gave a seriously good result. The tent liner is bulky but squeezes down and goes into a large plastic sack (or I use a vacuum bag these days) but I cant imagine using the roof tent without it as it makes all the difference for comfort etc.

I'll try and take some pics when I get some time (its all packed away at present and I'm short on time!).

Mike

zzdave · Post by **zzdave** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 10:52 pm

Sounds great Mike.Now if I can only pesuade the missus to dig out the sewing machine...

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 11:07 pm

Oh and some velcro. I made the lining in 4 sections (front, back, 2 x side panels). The front section I used the space blanket with its existing eyelets at the top and I have a shoelace through each loop in the Bongo tent lining, which I put through the eyelets and just tie the fron section in place (v quick). I then velcro the side panels to it and the back section to those. The Bongo has velcro pads half way down the top edge of the tent side (check yours) so velcro will stick to those just fine and hold the tent sides in place. I've fixed velcro on the top edge of te side so the tent liner can be used silver side in or silver side out depending on what you want it to do (I suppose in theory its warmer silver side in but I always use it silver side out so I can have a white lined tent rather than a hall of mirrors - mmm theres a thought for you young lovers.....)

Have fun

PS - part of the fun is trying to get all the tent liner out of 1 space blanket. It can be done with a little bit of stitching up spare triangles of material (or was that the window blinds - cant remember!).

PPS - another tip. Before you start cutting up te duvet, always stitich it either side of the line you are going to cut so the material doesnt start falling out all over the place. Again, seems a faff but worth it as the job is much less hassle (a stitch in time etc...)