What brand tent waterproofing seems to work the best? I'll probably just do the tub and rain fly. Also do you use seam sealer in addition to spraying?

Thanks!

Is the tent leaking or is the waterproof peeling off?

quote Grandma L: "Is the tent leaking or is the waterproof peeling off?"

I'm thinking more of a preventative measure, though we did have some slight dampness in the tent last year.

quote Grandma L: "Is the tent leaking or is the waterproof peeling off?"

Absolutely, if t ain't broke--------------
"slight dampness" 95% of the time is condensation. I do not care what others may say about that, but a tarp will collect condensation 6 ft. off the ground so will your tent to some degree.

butthead

quote butthead: "

quote Grandma L: "Is the tent leaking or is the waterproof peeling off?"

Absolutely, if t ain't broke--------------
"slight dampness" 95% of the time is condensation. I do not care what others may say about that, but a tarp will collect condensation 6 ft. off the ground so will your tent to some degree.


butthead
"

Exactly! Open vents and/or entry(s) slightly near roof of course to provide better ventalation and condensation should go away.

Like any other waterproof fabric, the performance of a tent's rain fly and floor can become degraded over time. Nikwax Tent and Gear SolarProof Waterproofing Spray is a nice product that will revive your tent (or keep it in tip-top shape). Also, Sharon Johnson from Midwest Mountaineering once recommended McNett’s Tent Sure floor sealant. I never used it, and I have heard complaints that it's not as effective as it used to be.

I really agree with Butthead - if it is not de-laminating or peeling or have a verified steady leak - let it be,
A "just in case" application might hurry along the leaking problem and cause the current waterproofing coat to de-laminate.

Put it up in the yard on a rainy night and take some time to really check if it has a firm diagnosis. Then treat the leak if you find a problem.

Nothing wrong with using seam sealer even on a brand new rain fly.

quote Grandma L: "I really agree with Butthead - if it is not de-laminating or peeling or have a verified steady leak - let it be,
A "just in case" application might hurry along the leaking problem and cause the current waterproofing coat to de-laminate.


Put it up in the yard on a rainy night and take some time to really check if it has a firm diagnosis. Then treat the leak if you find a problem."

I hate to disagree with Grandma L and Butthead, who are both much wiser than I am and vastly more experienced, but using a waterproofing product from a company as respected as Nikwax is not going to damage your tent. We're all used to treating the leather in our boots to keep it supple, and often we'll have to revive the DWR finish on our rain jackets by washing them and applying a DWR treatment. Treating a tent follows the same principle and can extend the life of a tent. Once my wife and I took a quick Friday night backpack outing to Afton State Park in early April to have a night outside after a long winter. But it rained that night, and water penetrated the floor of our old, reliable Sierra Designs tent, leaving us in a puddle and a pickle. Instead of tossing the tent, I sprayed the exterior of the bathtub floor with Nikwax waterproofing, and we've had no more water penetration issues. Think of it as spring maintenance.

Saberboys, mentioned it as a preventative step. Not a fix or treatment for a worn tent.
I am a big fan and user of "Nikwax", but would not recommend it as a treatment for newish good functioning gear. If it's leaking then find it and fix it. If it's condensation any coating or treatment may make it worse.
Extending the life of gear that does not perform as well as new, is something I do, and post about often.

butthead

I'm with buttheads. I like new toys like everyone.
I also like preserving good old equipment.
Remember,,,, he who dies with the most equipment WINS..

Just realized a mistake I made in another thread. MrBarley asked about his BA Emerald Mountain seam tape.
This points out a good reason not to just treat willy-nilly. I have (well my son does, we share a bunch), the same tent and it looks and feels like sil-nylon. Is mentioned as sil-nylon in BA specs. But uses a proprietary PU coating and seam tape. How to seal/treat this??? The wrong choice could wreak it, even if a major brand like Nikwax. Best to ask the maker, in this case Big Agnes.

butthead

quote yogi59weedr: "Remember,,,, he who dies with the most equipment WINS.."

LOL. My wife just doesn't seem to get that

quote AmarilloJim: "

quote yogi59weedr: "Remember,,,, he who dies with the most equipment WINS.."

LOL. My wife just doesn't seem to get that"

And you tell your wife? I have been collecting for so long - the family just thinks that it is self-reproducing in the "trip room".

"the same tent and it looks and feels like sil-nylon. Is mentioned as sil-nylon in BA specs. But uses a proprietary PU coating and seam tape. How to seal/treat this??? "

Ask the manufacturer what is recommended for sealing and or treatments such as a dwr.

sil nylon is so generic it means nothing. Articles identified as sil nylon can be quite a range of coatings and range of base nylon compositions. You can purchase "sil nylon" in anywhere from 3.5 tongue tear strength to 12.5 lbs or more, There can be silicon coating/ impregnation from 1 side , 2 sides or a combination of silicon and urethane , or urethane on 1 side. and possible throw in a dwr.
Typically if it is factory sealed there is a urethane element to it as the factory large scale seam sealing will stick.
The more silicon the less likely a urethane based sealer will stick. Silicon does not bond well with other elements, and does not accept bonds from other elements as well.

Keeping tents clean , setting them up well, storing dry and uncompressed goes a long way in prolonging waterproofness of the original item.