View Full Version : Making a cheap tent waterproof.
I'm probably going to go to Glastonbury this year, and as it has a reputation for tents being slashed and the contents nicked I thought it wise to buy a cheapo Woolworths tent for the occasion. However if it rains I don't want to get soaked, so what is the best way of preventing this, buying a flysheet or tarp to go over it?
Also has anyone got any recomendations for one?
Thanks.
Bivvy bag inside for sleeping in and your gear in a dry bag?
Minotaur
02-02-2007, 10:55
From what i have heard, I would not take anything vauable at all. Fires are a big problem apprently. Buy one of the Argos or Millet everything you need kits for £50 or so, if it survives, use it next time. If you are really worried about it being water proof re-coat it.
Bivvy bag inside for sleeping in and your gear in a dry bag?
Would do this but the Misses is with me so I don't think she'd be too impressed. :D
Minotaur, i've heard Woolies are doing tents for around £25 so i'm going to get one, plus I have alot of old gear (roll mat, rubbish sleeping bag etc), which I can take and if it doesn't survive i'm not to worried.
Backyard Bushcraft
02-02-2007, 14:24
you been to glasto recently mate? them big old fences ensure every1 whos in there are all there for the music and ive not had nothing knicked for the past 4 years!!!
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3409756.htm
£8 throw away tent, ideal for the gig; you can always bring it home and give it to any children you know for use as a play tent?
anthonyyy
02-02-2007, 19:24
I think it makes a lot of sense to use really cheap gear at a festival.
There IS a lot you can do to waterproof those £10 single skin monodome tents.
The great thing about them apart from the cost is that you can errect them so quickly and they come with a good groundsheet. The main weakness is the seams. I made a "paint" by mixing some silicone sealant (as used for bathrooms) with paraffin and painting it on the seams. Mind you I had the silicone left over I wouldent go buying it especially. You can apply this to the main body of the tent but if the weather is hot you will roast.
Any kind of paint should help seal the seams. Id be inclined to go for water based emulsion paint (get a few free samples from hardware shops if you are stingy).
If you are useing one of those monodome tents with a thing that looks like a hankie on the top you can add extra string to reinforce the fixing. You might also to paint this part.
Argos had a simple one man ridge tent going pretty cheap.
Ask if someone has some thompsons water seal. It's meant for brick, but I've heard it works on fabric too
I'm probably going to go to Glastonbury this year,
So whats your secret? I'm pre-registering and expecting to spend hours on the phone and internet in a bid to secure some tickets! :(
Sugs
bushwacker bob
03-02-2007, 01:58
Ask if someone has some thompsons water seal. It's meant for brick, but I've heard it works on fabric too
Yea it does.Liquid silicon,there are cheaper brands available.Thompsons is THE name in the market and charges accordingly.
Febsilicon is cheaper.(used it to waterproof horse rugs and it lasts longer than the rugs)
scottishwolf
03-02-2007, 02:08
buy a tent from argos, go to the local £1 shop and get som silicone sealant, most of them have it or something similar. Job done......... :D
Backyard Bushcraft
03-02-2007, 02:31
well take the cheapest tent you can buy and if it all goes pear shaped get in touch with me coz i take the biggest tent ive got (16man) and party hard and theres always room for a fellow bushcrafter!!!!! anyone else plannin on goin to glasto? maybe we could arrange a meet up there which would be amazing!!!!
falling rain
03-02-2007, 04:58
I did bow drilling fire demos in the green craft field at the last 2 Glastonbury's 2005 and 2004, (free tickets for exhibitors :D :D ) but am not applying this year. My friend Leon will be there doing the same again so pay him a visit........and blag some of his nettle beer :D He'll be in the craft field again.
I'd go with the cheap tent and paint it before hand with Fabrisil which is available from camping shops and comes in spray cans or liquid which can be painted on with a paint brush.......or if you're missus dosn't mind.........Scankers Idea is a good one as you can carry a lightweight set up of bivvy and tarp and find a quiet corner away from the crowds and just set up when you're ready, put your kit in the bottom of your bivvy and no one will even give you a second look.....There are people zonked out all over the show. Take as little as possible though if you're carrying it around with you. There were lockers to leave kit in or befriend someone in the craft field (leon) or another, buy them a pint and ask them to keep you kit safe in their set -up till you need it later. Obviously don't leave valuables but the folks are really nice people in the craft field. Good luck with getting the tickets.
hurrahbro
03-02-2007, 19:16
I'm probably going to go to Glastonbury this year, and as it has a reputation for tents being slashed and the contents nicked I thought it wise to buy a cheapo Woolworths tent for the occasion. However if it rains I don't want to get soaked, so what is the best way of preventing this, buying a flysheet or tarp to go over it?
Also has anyone got any recomendations for one?
Thanks.
Well, time to de-lurk
I'm a festival 'irregular' and I found these boards looking for ways to make my festival experiance more 'comfortable'.
I nip back from time to time just to readthe good stuff you all post ;)
I've been to the 2005 Glastonbury and several other festivals, the tent slashing and tent trashing does happen, but it is very overplayed (though not to say you shouldn't be careful). Where you pitch and the company you keep are two very important factors in avoiding this. On top of your usual considerations for a camping spot...
Caming next to the walk ways is seen as a bit of an open invite, so is just behind a tent next to a walkway..
If the place looks too rammed, the chances are you should avoid it. I've heard of tents get deliberatly damaged because of territorial disputes that got out of hand, though this is other festivals, i've not heard of any of this at Glastonbury since the fence. Not to say it does not happen, just i've not heard of it.
Obviously establishing friendships with your neighbours does create an ad-hoc neighbourhood watch, going with a larger group of friends is even better, I post on the e festivals site and try and hook up with one of their camps, as a regular solo festival goer, its an instant safety net. Their web address is http://www.efestivals.co.uk/forums/index.php?
To be honest, your tent is more in danger from a broken rods and torn liners from some drunk playing at being a human pin-ball using tents as buffers, usualy this is not deliberate, rather its a failed (or is that flailing?) attempts at regaining balance after triping over a guyrope after a beer too many :rolleyes: .
I will say festival camping is very cheek by jowel, I prefer a good igloo/dome tent that can be safely pitched without guy ropes as someone will trip over them and they do slacken very quickly as a result (I replace the normal pegs with plastic X or metal V cross sectioned pegs for that extra grip).
That said, taking an expensive tent is too risky, but you do need a good waterproof tent (and preferably a bucket/bathtub groundsheet) I've been using one of These (http://www.millets.co.uk/millets.storefront/shopping.can/Millets+Summer+Virtual/MIL+SS06+Camping(BLG+Base+Cata log)/MIL%20SS06%20Tents(BLG%20Base% 20Catalog)/products/094425(BLG+Base+Catalog)) for 2 and a half years now. does me fine (just big enough for one comfortable, 2 cosy and not too big its dificult to find a space big enough to pitch in) Had one of these (http://www.millets.co.uk/millets.storefront/shopping.can/Millets+Summer+Virtual/MIL+SS06+Camping(BLG+Base+Cata log)/MIL%20SS06%20Tents(BLG%20Base% 20Catalog)/products/094588(BLG+Base+Catalog)) for about 7 years previously, It died at Glastonbury 2005, liner tore round the door zipper thanks to a human pin-ball, alas well beyond my ability to fix and I could not scavange a replacement liner on the last day (there is an obcene amount of left behind tents and camping clutter, if your going by car, you may be able to grab yourself a viable freebee for future festivals, I know a coulpe of people who are regular festival goers and and havn't bough a tent in 15 years!)
Best of luck with the ticket purchasing, and have a good festival.
you been to glasto recently mate? them big old fences ensure every1 whos in there are all there for the music and ive not had nothing knicked for the past 4 years!!!
Okay, I'm twenty years your senior...which just about gives me hippie status, but hey, stonehenge and glastonbury aren't what they used to be...and as for Zeppelin at knebworth..... :You_Rock_ A festival isn't a festival if you can't "crash it".... :D :240: :240: :240:
I have had some great results from Thompsons water seal.
Once waterproofed a very old caravan awning and the water ran off like ball bearings (when sprayed from a hose).
I didnt find it expensive, £9.69 from Wikes for a 5 litre can, (awning took about half a can) http://www.wickes.co.uk/invt/600336
Waterproofs a lot of different materials, and its flexable when applied (no cracking or flaking).