Canvas waterproofing

[ADKCamper]

I have a 2005 Coleman Niagara. Lovely, especially the open roominess and full bathroom for 2 am. Otherwise, don't use the electric or water hookups. Bought it used 5 years ago, but wasn't for a couple of years realized the pullout canvas was leaking onto the bed corners and the OSB was starting to get punky in the outer corners. Put a 1 ft strip of varnish around the OSB borders that stopped the deterioration without compromising its breathability. Sealed every stitch hole (I swear there are several thousand stitches!) and 303'ed the entire canvas, and finally sealed a couple of pinholes in the vinyl. Stopped the leaking. Then last August, a puddle on the varnish from water running down the U tube (I paper towel to trace the leak) where roof drainage runs down the canvas. Problem is the 303 doesn't last long and really should be applied every year or two. Big issue with the 303, besides cost, is it can't get on the vinyl. With the frequent applications, I'm guaranteed to miss a vinyl spill.
1- Does anyone know what 303 does to vinyl?
2- Is there a 303 replacement that is OK to vinyl? If there is an issue with breathability, looks, etc., I can limit its application to the pullouts where the roof drainage runs down the canvas.

Thanks to anyone with ideas.

 

[fourhallatts]

Head on over to thepopupprincess.com. She has an entire section on her blog about canvas cleaning and waterproofing. Good luck!

 

[Arruba]

303 is very popular with the pop up truck camper crowd. At least the crowd with hypalon or hypalon like pop up liners. I'd guess they make something vinyl compatible too. Like this:

https://www.walmart.com/tp/gold-eagle

 

[McFlyfi]

When I do the 303 thing on my Niagara (and Carmel before it) I spend a couple of hours taping off all of the vinyl with 2" blue painters tape and newspaper.
I don't know if the 303 will eat the vinyl bunk roof, but it did soften and smear the plastic/rubber on a spot on the stepper door on the Carmel, so I take no chances. For me it's a two day job anyway- wash the sunbrella and vinyl on day one, mask off and spray 303 the next. Do it early so the 303 has the required time to cure, the pack her up.

 

[f5moab]

I use 303 or Kiwi, and all I do is unzip the four canvas flaps, let them lay on the beds with a towel under them. Then take a piece of cardboard and insert it between the bottom of the canvas and where it is stitched to the vinyl and spray. Other trailers must have canvas in different places or attached differently.

 

[cztardust]

I have never had an issue with Kiwi Camp Dry and have found it to be a good product for the money. I know people swear by the 303 now. Has anyone here had an issue with Kiwi Camp Dry damaging their canvas?

 

[ADKCamper]

Thanks for the replies.

I've been using 303. Works well but eventually there is going to be an oops with the vinyl. I've heard that ScotchGuard is similarly no vinyl and not as good as 303. Will be interested in how the Kiwi Camp Dry works.

 

[DanLee]

I've been spraying 303 Protectant on my popup's vinyl roof for 25 years, usually every year or so. Never had any leaks or evidence that it did anything more than protect the vinyl from UV. The Evolution 3 "canvas" has never needed waterproofing either. I came to 303 from canoeing where Mad River advised it on Royalex canoes which have an outer layer of vinyl. Good stuff.

 

[ADKCamper]

Popupprincess = don't get the 303 on vinyl, which is what is going to happen eventually (I have 2 children helping/running under foot).

The 303 Protectant - is that their vinyl protectant? I apply the 303 Fabric Guard to the Sunbrella sides of my Niagara.

 

[DanLee]

My spray bottle says Aerospace Protectant. Says it's for rubber, vinyl, fiberglass, tires, plastic, leather, and tonneau covers. "SPF 40 For Your Stuff." Apparently different from the fabric guard 303, which I've never used.

 

[sawdusty]

My spray bottle says Aerospace Protectant. Says it's for rubber, vinyl, fiberglass, tires, plastic, leather, and tonneau covers. "SPF 40 For Your Stuff." Apparently different from the fabric guard 303, which I've never used.

That one is definitely not for the canvas. I have some and plan to test it on a very small area of the vinyl. I'm wondering if it would work to protect tires that exposed to sun for long periods of time.

 

[Lanternman]

Just went through this with my little 95 Starcraft. It is made of Aqualon, which they 'claim' should not use any kind of petroleum or silicone based products on (although a few have done without issue according to online searches). Starcraft recommends Iosso products, to my surprise is still around. Just picked up a gallon, and a tube of Iosso seam sealer as well, but havent applied either yet. Non silicone/non petroleum, id have to think it wouldnt harm vinyl. Might be worth checking into?

 

[ADKCamper]

Appreciate all of the responses. Lots of good info - surprising what we have stored in our heads. Could always receive some more and then I'll let'er rip this spring. Then can't wait for the trips to the Adirondacks this summer again.

 

[Hey im Jay]

I used this not sure how it'll work but I think it will work great had great reviews we'll see . I'm sure there's someone else on here and that is probably use this product and could chime in on their review on it I know I did get some on my hands let them dry out and hit them with water and it just ran off will my pants didn't run off but the water rolled off the pants that was a joke

 

[ADKCamper]

Just went through this with my little 95 Starcraft. It is made of Aqualon, which they 'claim' should not use any kind of petroleum or silicone based products on (although a few have done without issue according to online searches). Starcraft recommends Iosso products, to my surprise is still around. Just picked up a gallon, and a tube of Iosso seam sealer as well, but havent applied either yet. Non silicone/non petroleum, id have to think it wouldnt harm vinyl. Might be worth checking into?

I'll check out the Iosso. No cautions on the bottle regarding vinyl? I did see that they say you can apply it to my Sunbrella canvas.
Aqualon - this is actually a "plastic" (ie, solid, not a knit) fabric?

 

[ADKCamper]

I used this not sure how it'll work but I think it will work great had great reviews we'll see . I'm sure there's someone else on here and that is probably use this product and could chime in on their review on it I know I did get some on my hands let them dry out and hit them with water and it just ran off will my pants didn't run off but the water rolled off the pants that was a joke

Thanks. I'll check it out at my local West Marine. I did notice their website says avoid surfaces that should not be sprayed (very helpful!!). BTW, Starbrite lists 2 similar waterproofing products with same instructions but 1 is environmentally safe and need not be sprayed away from lakes.

 

[Alloutdrs1]

I'll check out the Iosso. No cautions on the bottle regarding vinyl? I did see that they say you can apply it to my Sunbrella canvas.
Aqualon - this is actually a "plastic" (ie, solid, not a knit) fabric?

That's Iosso looks like it can be applied to canvas and to the sunbrella. I have a new canvas on order for my camper so I will be needing something soon. I will have to do some more research on it.

 

[ADKCamper]

Thank you everyone for the good information. Looks like there are alternatives to my standby 303 and my vinyl oops. Before I experiment (once the northeast winter weather ends eventually), anyone have good/bad experiences with:
-303
-Starbrite
-Kiwi Camp Dry fabric
-Scotch fabric guard
-Iosso. According to manufacturer email, compatible with vinyl and Sunbrella but not available in NYS, but can be ordered from their website.

 

[Hey im Jay]

Here's the backside label of this product this is what I put on mine but I do not know how it will work I believe the product is good hope this helps

 

[Lanternman]

I'll check out the Iosso. No cautions on the bottle regarding vinyl? I did see that they say you can apply it to my Sunbrella canvas.
Aqualon - this is actually a "plastic" (ie, solid, not a knit) fabric?

It doesnt mention vinyl directly, seems to be more suited for the canvas part. No vinyl warnings or anything. I get confused with the 'vinyl vs canvas' all the time, and seems the 'plastic' like whats on the actual top doesnt need to be treated, its the cloth material on the sides that need the occasional waterproofing. Hopefully someone else will chime in as I dont want to be passing misinformation.