Waterproofing Canvas... Naturally!

[Nocommonsense]

Hello,
I have a polish army lavvu poncho tipi (there are so many names for it!) and i wanted to waterproof it naturally (prefferably with beeswax). A quick search on the interweb has given me a few results;
A mix of beeswax, boiled linseed oil and turpentine,
Greenland wax,
Homemade Greenland wax consisting of beeswax and paraffin.

Because I want to do it simply, can I use just some beeswax by rubbing it on to the canvas and melting it? If not, then i prefer mixing up my own Greenland wax. What effect will waxing it have on the canvas? Will it become less flexible? Will the colour change and so on.

If there's anything I missed, or if you want to share your own natural method then feel free, or if I have to prep the canvas beforehand.

Thanks!

 

[ateallthepies]

I'm thinking I would use a mix of bees wax, boiled linseed oil and mineral spirits and if I hadn't of Fabsil'd mine this is what I would have used. The recipe is on YouTube.

It will stay flexable but the colour may change a bit. I am not sure the best way to apply the mix, if you keep it warm while using it will stay a liquid but left to cool it becomes a solid lump like furniture wax and you then can rub it on and melt into the fabric with heat?

 

[leon-1]

I have a Fjallraven Jacket that I use Greenland wax on, it does darken it slightly and it will stiffen up a little as well. The heavier the amount of wax you put on the stiffer it gets, but the greater the level of proofing you get. Greenland wax is quite hard though.

Using a wax preperation like those used on wax jackets will maintain the flexibility of the poncho / tent sheet.

 

[British Red]

Personally I would avoid linseed oil on a cotton garment. A blend of harder and softer waxes like Greenland softened with a more use appropriate thinner like liquid paraffin would be my choice.

 

[Nocommonsense]

Thanks everyone,
I'll need to wait until summer to do it really, as I need to give the Lavvu a good soaking to make sure all of the fibers are together. Ill probably try to make some Greenland wax though.

Could I just use beeswax on its own?

Thanks

 

[British Red]

You could but it would be both hard and britlle. The finish would crack in the folds. You need a more pliable finish ideally.

 

[beezer]

howdi

i have recently waterproofed a canvas rucksack. i used Gold Label wax for fabrics its super cheep and you will need loads. i use my rucksack every day rain or shine and is perfectly waterproof. i thoroughly recommend it for your poncho/tent. i painted the wax on using a brush and my good ladies hair dryer to make it runny and soak into the fabric.

 

[neilwragg]

I use beeswax melted with paraffin on the canvas bags I make, painted on with a brush and then further melted with a hair dryer or over a gas stove.
Resulting canvas is stiffer which works for the bags and rucksacks as they will stand better and resist marks as well l as water.

These were old scout tents

 

[lannyman8]

1 part wax (paraffin wax would work) 1 part Vaseline 3 or 4 parts oil, vegetable oil can be used but might go sour after a period of time, it does take a long time though,maybe a year or 2????

the mix would be like a cream / paste with the 1 1 3 mix and a bit softer with the 4 parts oil, should work fine. i would be interested to see the results with say car engine oil though and it would not taint.

you could always use the old wax jacket pre made stuff, might be pricey though....

chris.

 

[lannyman8]

PS forgot to say, if you want a totally natural product replace the Vaseline with Coco Butter....

 

[MrEd]

hi i made my own greenland wax a few years ago, have used it on a few bags, a tent, my landrover canvas roof and a bunch of other things

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=53277&highlight=

Ed