How To Waterproof Your Camping Gear
Do you want to make your camping experience worthwhile and memorable? Do you want to camp in comfort even though you’re in the mountains away from home?
Here’s a great solution to this camping dilemma: waterproof your camping equipment. By making your equipment water resistant, you protect it from damage and keep yourself from becoming a soggy mess. The following is a list of protective measures to keep your stuff dry.
1. Buy waterproof things.
Of course, you can always buy items that are already waterproof. Start with buying waterproof clothing and a tent since they are the first items that get exposed to the elements.
2. Waterproof your clothes.
The next best thing to buying waterproof clothes is applying products that repel water. Silicone spray works great for this purpose. You just spray it to your clothing and you have instant water repelling clothes. It even works on leather.
Before deciding on a silicone spray, make sure it doesn’t stain fabric by trying it out on a hidden area of your clothing.
3. Waterproofing the tent.
Put up the tent on an area that’s dry, well-ventilated, and has low humidity. Spray the silicone spray on the tent. As much as possible, use a spray specifically designed for tents to provide maximum protection. If necessary, spray a second coat.
In addition, apply seam sealer to the inner seams so you can prevent leaks. Pay special attention to the corner spots – those areas where the bottom meets the side panels – since they are more prone to leaks.
4. Patch holes.
If your tent, bags, and rain gear has holes, patch them with waterproof fabric. Secure the patches by applying liquid cement to the patches’ edges. This waterproof solution can even last until the next camping vacation.
5. Keep your boots waterproof.
Most outdoor shoes are constructed to be waterproof. However, they may lose the waterproof layer after several uses, so apply another protective layer.
Leather is naturally waterproof, but wear and tear can render leather shoes prone to water-related damage. Use leather conditioners that create a waterproof shield, such as Sno-Seal and Nik Wax. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions as some conditioners are balms that you rub on the leather, while others are spray-on liquids.
Use spray-on waterproof agents for suede, nubuck and other soft leathery materials.
Gore-Tex, another waterproof material for shoes, shouldn’t be applied with waterproofing solutions because the fabric’s breathability can be affected.
6. Keep your items in waterproof bags.
Purchase a couple of waterproof, dry storage sacks constructed from coated nylon or PVC. These bags come in various shapes and sizes – there are bags as big as large backpacks, and some are clear plastic bags specifically for small items.
Store your camping equipment in these bags, and seal them completely to keep them dry. The sacks can be used for clothes and other items that aren’t constructed to be waterproof.
For your valuables, such as wallets and maps, use inflatable bags, mini cases, and chart holders. Consider choosing pouches and cases that float.
Medical and Health Tips.Tags: silicone spray, silicone spray bearings, silicone spray on leather, silicone spray on rubber, start —