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The Georgia Mtn Rally was a wet one and revealed a massive leak in the floor of my tent. I found the leak today after letting the tent air and dry out for a few days.
Its a Eureka Apex 2 man tent which is about 6 years old and has been camped in over 50 times I'm sure. It still repels water with proper seam sealing and re-waterproofing every other season...I'm lazy.

This time the culprit appears to be something that possibly leaked out of a container inside the tent or was on the ground cloth when set up at some point. Here are a couple of photos of the stain on the bottom. It is located at one corner where I normally store gear inside the tent, thus the suspicion of something leaking out. Possibly gasoline from the tank which got on the bottom of my tankbag?




When held up to light you can easily see where the waterproofing has been "taken" away where that stain is located. Its open mesh fabric in that area.

Its hard to see in these pics.



Does anyone have a suggestion on what to "paint" back in that area that will re-waterproof the area?...and not flake off or further damage the fabric?

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I use Nikwax products on my tents, riding gear, winter/rain wear and ropes, and have been very happy with the performance. Most quality outdoor shops like REI will have it.
http://www.nikwax.com/en-us/index.php

[quote="duckdave"]REI has their big annual sale going until Sunday. 20% off any item for members:[quote]

YES!!! Happy mother's day to me from me: http://www.rei.com/product/779039 The North Face Big Fat Frog 24. I love the vestibule on this tent. Partly floored, and completely sheltered when zipped. The vestibule adds a lot of storage space and shelter for extended camping


Phil;

Your question, raises one for me; I'm suppose to waterproof my tents? They both say they have waterproof 'bathtub' floors. Does that wear out after a few uses? If so, how often are you suppose to waterproof them?

GypsyRR wrote:

duckdave wrote:REI has their big annual sale going until Sunday. 20% off any item for members:

YES!!! Happy mother's day to me from me: http://www.rei.com/product/779039 The North Face Big Fat Frog 24. I love the vestibule on this tent. Partly floored, and completely sheltered when zipped. The vestibule adds a lot of storage space and shelter for extended camping


Phil;

Your question, raises one for me; I'm suppose to waterproof my tents? They both say they have waterproof 'bathtub' floors. Does that wear out after a few uses? If so, how often are you suppose to waterproof them?

I bought the "footprint" for my REI tent. I would expect that would help reduce damage to the bottom. I hope so anyhow. You link to the BFF 24 says 'Unavailable". Perhaps sold out ?

Airman wrote:
I bought the "footprint" for my REI tent. I would expect that would help reduce damage to the bottom. I hope so anyhow. You link to the BFF 24 says 'Unavailable". Perhaps sold out ?

I noticed that!! It WAS available when I posted, so I think you are correct. The one I bought was the last one in Houston.

I have always used the thick plastic footprint underneath the tent. I'm afraid the damage was inflicted by ME from inside the tent...Possibly gasoline from the bottom of my tank bag...That's my guess. But I don't know. I have covered the area with a clear plastic "sealing" tape from REI and am in the process of waterproofing with NikWax Direct-X...which costs a small fortune BTW. Even with the discount it was still $17.

Another thing you could try is the type of products used to seal neoprene or breathable waders which start leaking. Aqua Seal and Shoo Goo come to mind. You can probably find those at any general sporting goods store that sells waders for hunting/fishing. The product is brushed on and keeps the fabric sealed, yet pliable. If you aren't worried about pliability, then Amazing Goop (~$3.00) from Hobby Lobby should work. I've seen it seal a boat and word on the street is that it can seal the mouth of hell.

I am just coming on to this thread and I really don't have time to read it, but for "tent leaking" I bring a sort of a round tupperware container, maybe a quart size, with a good sealing top and use it during the evening for any "tent leaking" that may arise. I have heard of people using large wide mouth jars, too.

Geez, with the advancing age of the BMW demographics, I would have thought this seemed a simple and obvious fix.

hope this helps

John

PS Waterproof what?

Boxer wrote:I have always used the thick plastic footprint underneath the tent. I'm afraid the damage was inflicted by ME from inside the tent...Possibly gasoline from the bottom of my tank bag...That's my guess. But I don't know. I have covered the area with a clear plastic "sealing" tape from REI and am in the process of waterproofing with NikWax Direct-X...which costs a small fortune BTW. Even with the discount it was still $17.

Hmmm, gas from the tankbag, eh ? I have a big jug of TX Direct I bought at the last REI sale to renew the waterproofing in my jacket, but the Direct-X must be some ScotchGuard type tent waterproofing stuff. NikWax has some great products. Sounds at least like you have enough products on hand to seal it. If that's to no avail, you have to look at replacing a piece of the floor I suppose. Or tell Mrs Boxer it's time for a new tent.

GypsyRR wrote:

Airman wrote:
I bought the "footprint" for my REI tent. I would expect that would help reduce damage to the bottom. I hope so anyhow. Your link to the BFF 24 says 'Unavailable". Perhaps sold out ?

I noticed that!! It WAS available when I posted, so I think you are correct. The one I bought was the last one in Houston.

The last one anywhere I think.

Heh..heh.

the Direct-X must be some ScotchGuard type tent waterproofing stuff.

Just my sloppy posting...and memory..It was the TX-Direct I bought. And it is mainly for the fabric areas of my tent and to add back some proofing to my jacket and tankbag...and overpants.
The next time I go on a campout ride, I'll let you all know how successful the patch job with the tape was.

You aren't supposed to take a leak in your tent.

Yeah, I know....But a man's gotta do what a....

I'm testing out my patch job tomorrow night at Babcock SP just off 41...across the way from Fayetteville....to the east...

Take it to the next Hungry Mother camping trip and sell it to an unsuspecting riding buddy as an 'upgrade'. Maybe Rich will come this year - his camping equipment is a few years old now.

Possibly gasoline from the tank which got on the bottom of my tankbag?

Ever since this was first posted, I've been wondering how gasoline from the tank could get on the bottom of MY tankbag. Yeow, now I know.

The proverbial, but hopefully rarely practiced, "fill spout slips out of the fuel-fill thingy and squirts gasoline all over everything move".

I'd like to say, "I'm SORRY" to that nice family in the van next to me at the gas station, where ever you are. You did not deserve to hear that on your vacation.