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Fearlessleader
distinguished member (191)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
02/19/2025 07:53PM  
I have an old Noah’s Tarp that we really like but is no longer 100% waterproof in heavy rain. Is there a good way to restore its performance? Only use it maybe two weeks a year so hoping not to have to purchase something new.
 
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02/19/2025 09:27PM  
I am unfamiliar with that brand, but if a tarp or tent is leaking at a seam, the appropriate (urethane or sil) sealant can usually fix it. If the fabric's coating is degrading (more common in urethane as I understand it) then regrettably it has a date with a landfill.
 
Basketcase
member (27)member
  
02/20/2025 08:00AM  
+1 to trying a sealant. I have used a spray in the past on some second-hand rain gear that seemed to give a little more life to the product. Maybe there is a wax-sealant available you could try if the material has started to break down already. This would add some weight to your tarp, but may extend the life a little.

Also, maybe this does not apply to you, but I always stuff my tent/tarps/hammock/etc in the stuff sack and don't fold it up all nice and neat. Folding on the same lines over time weakens the fabric/waterproofing in that specific folded area of the item. Especially if the item sits for most of the time on a shelf...
 
DMan5501
distinguished member (107)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
02/20/2025 08:50AM  
Agree with the comments on checking the seams and sealing if needed. For the body of the tarp use the Nikwax Tent and Gear Solar Wash and follow that with their Tent and Gear Solarproof... I clean and recoat my tarps yearly with this system.. Makes them bomb proof..

RW
 
02/24/2025 04:10PM  
DMan5501: "Agree with the comments on checking the seams and sealing if needed. For the body of the tarp use the Nikwax Tent and Gear Solar Wash and follow that with their Tent and Gear Solarproof... I clean and recoat my tarps yearly with this system.. Makes them bomb proof..


RW "


This is what i used on an old Noah's tarp that was leaking. Probably similar to yours it just kind of wore out and started dripping through in spots. I doused the thing with a full bottle of the sealant and it hasn't leaked in the last three years, since doing that.
 
PabloKabo
distinguished member (163)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
02/25/2025 03:16PM  
Noah's tarp was my first tarp, it served us well on several trips.

There are some YouTube tutorials on using silicone caulking mixed with mineral spirits or naphtha and applied with a spray bottle. Though I haven't tried it yet, I believe it would work well for your application.

Here's a sample.
https://youtu.be/3t1DWBwK0FQ?feature=shared

All the best!

 
mags459
senior member (56)senior membersenior member
  
02/25/2025 08:51PM  
Thompsons water seal actually works
 
HowardSprague
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02/27/2025 02:26PM  
 
PabloKabo
distinguished member (163)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/01/2025 02:35PM  
Using silicone along with a carrier liquid, one can basically re-waterproof a fabric, not just recoat a coating.
 
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