Canvas Tent Repair

[Doc_Ralph]

Howdy y'all,

Again not sure where to post this question; so I am asking if here - where I am fairly certain I will get good responses.

Back in the day (2011-2014), we used a new "CW" canvas wall tent (I guess you would call it) and it saw lots of action in those three years.

After we "retired" from service the tent sat in a plastic tub with a lid on it in our backyard shed. One of the occasional snow storms we get in Spotsletucky caused a tree to collapse the shed where the tent was stored and moisture and the rest got to it.

This spring I discovered it again and a lot of mold and mildew has gotten to it. It can't be used in its current condition as it would be an eyesore and possible health risk.

Does anyone have a recommendation? Tossing it outright would be jettisoning the good time memories (cool evening breeze blowing with both ends open) to bad (ice and condensation drips). I am sure many of you have fond memories of you tentage. So I am thinking of perhaps using the material (reasonable cost permitting) to maybe having it cut down to a smaller size (pup/shelter half tent ) or a tarp. I have fond memories of gathering around and under a tarp for meals and liquid libations after dark.

So perhaps preserving what this "relic" if it meant driving it be "restored or chopped up" up to Gettysburg that would be ok. Or somewhere down here -other than a Chinese laundry.

I can sleep anywhere with a blanket but it's always a good idea to have a backup plan when sleeping under the stars … to keep out the critters and the sudden and frequent storms.

OTC
Spotsy

 

[Sowbelly and Hardtack]

Canvas can be repaired and patched. My big concern would be the mold. Just how extensive is it? A photo would probably help.

To the best of my knowledge there are no sail shops in your neck of the wood. You could post your question on the North South Association forum. Or go on Facebook, and post on the Authentic Campaigner or Campaigner Quality Trade Blanket. Even if you cleaned it well the mold still might be an issue.

 

[Doc_Ralph]

Canvas can be repaired and patched. My big concern would be the mold. Just how extensive is it? A photo would probably help.

To the best of my knowledge there are no sail shops in your neck of the wood. You could post your question on the North South Association forum. Or go on Facebook, and post on the Authentic Campaigner or Campaigner Quality Trade Blanket. Even if you cleaned it well the mold still might be an issue.

Thanks …maybe Annapolis or Virginia Beach for sail shops. It's past the point of patching. And you're right about the mold and the photo would help.

It could come down as a bit of clean canvas for beer cooler cover or perhaps shelter half's.

OTC
Spotsy

 

[Mrs. V]

Power washer for the win..one of my battery used one to clean up an old tent and it did a bang up job. Let air dry. I'd suggest sun/shade area, so the sun kills off the mildew but doesn't rot the canvas.

 

[captaindrew]

If you have a sunny spot to set it up try that. Let the sunshine and fresh air work on it a few days then see what you have. Trying to aggressively clean it would probably do it in. If it has a bunch of tears or holes in it it might already be done for. Coming from someone who's been in the boating business their whole life, canvas work doesn't come cheap. If it has extensive damage it would probably cost more to repair than buying a new one.

 

[Doc_Ralph]

If you have a sunny spot to set it up try that. Let the sunshine and fresh air work on it a few days then see what you have. Trying to aggressively clean it would probably do it in. If it has a bunch of tears or holes in it it might already be done for. Coming from someone who's been in the boating business their whole life, canvas work doesn't come cheap. If it has extensive damage it would probably cost more to repair than buying a new one.

Yes, Captain. It locked bad but not totaled so I spread it out on the fence and dried it thoroughly and it was then stuffed into its tub. Next step I guess would do pics of it and assess. It would be a nostalgia project as I think it would cost a small fortune to pay, however it would be a memorial to all those times it let us down and those it which it functioned in an optimum manner.

The damage seems to be mostly on the bottom - but I will look again - and so cut the bad stuff off-maybe. If it came down to an expensive beer cooler cover then maybe at least I would have that.

It's way down the priority list. I found all my duds and gear except my Gettysburg poncho. My leaky canteen along with my new and functional one.

OTC
Spotsy

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

If it has extensive damage it would probably cost more to repair than buying a new one.

My first thought as well.

I've never been a reenactor, but I was an avid camper from my late teens until my early 40's.
While canvas can be repaired and cleaned, 9 times out of 10 it's much easier and cheaper to buy a new tent.

And IMHO, that would also apply to reproduction canvas wall tents or the latest "high tech material Himalaya mountain"
tents from the current popular dealers.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

It would be a nostalgia project as I think it would cost a small fortune to pay, however it would be a memorial to all those times it let us down and those it which it functioned in an optimum manner.

I hear ya !

The best tent I ever owned was a generic "off the shelf" tent from the Sears sporting goods department.
It served well for over 25 years, but I had no choice to put it out of it's misery at the end.

I could have purchased three new 6 man tents, against the cost of refurbishing my old 4 man tent.

 

[Lampasas Bill]

And on the other hand, it's probably more authentic looking than any other tent in the camp.

 

[Doc_Ralph]

My first thought as well.

I've never been a reenactor, but I was an avid camper from my late teens until my early 40's.
While canvas can be repaired and cleaned, 9 times out of 10 it's much easier and cheaper to buy a new tent.

And IMHO, that would also apply to reproduction canvas wall tents or the latest "high tech material Himalaya mountain"
tents from the current popular dealers.

Thanks 7th Mississippi,
I too was a camper and Boy Scout and do know canvas Baker Tents and the old army tents at summer camp. Although, later in my camping career, we did higher altitude trekking and so just ensolite and a plastic tube tent. I can still sleep basically anywhere.

I am waiting till after Cedar Creek in October as to whether I want to relive our sometimes wonderful campaign and camping experience of past daze of glory. Artillery sure shook me good but I think there is more fun on horse or foot. If I start up I would probably get shelter half's or sleep in the car until I got something together.
A good tent is good to have and unfortunately our tent suffered the extremes of Spotsy weather.

OTC
Spotsy

 

[Doc_Ralph]

And on the other hand, it's probably more authentic looking than any other tent in the camp.

Eyesore and 20 demerits!

 

[Doc_Ralph]

I hear ya !

The best tent I ever owned was a generic "off the shelf" tent from the Sears sporting goods department.
It served well for over 25 years, but I had no choice to put it out of it's misery at the end.

I could have purchased three new 6 man tents, against the cost of refurbishing my old 4 man tent.

Yeah and then I got married and we did "camping" in all sorts of RVs. Jeez that sucks all the fun out of real camping. My English gal must have tea and flushing toilets. OTC believes in the age old truth - happy wife = happy life!
She won't be returning to campaigning.
OTC
Spotsy

 

[Doc_Ralph]

Yeah and then I got married and we did "camping" in all sorts of RVs. Jeez that sucks all the fun out of real camping. My English gal must have tea and flushing toilets. OTC believes in the age old truth - happy wife = happy life!
She won't be returning to campaigning.
OTC
Spotsy

She was a mean number 4 tho!

 

[R. Porter]

Surely there were mildewed tents during the Civil War; how did they clean them back then?

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

My English gal must have tea and flushing toilets.

Laughing out loud !

My wife wasn't from England, but from Memphis, Tennessee.
With the exception tea, mine had the same attitude.
I thought a Southern girl knew what she was about to experience.

I was wrong.

I took her on her first and only tent camping adventure (actually in a state park with toilets & showers within walking distance).
But that meant nothing to her.

She later made it sound like I had taken her into the darkest jungles of the Belgian Congo.

 

[7thWisconsin]

I second putting it out in the strong sun for several days, both sides. I wouldn´t power wash it unless you want to turn it into a sunshade. You´ll probably loosen the fibers up so far that it will never be water resistant ever again. I have an old A tent with some mildew damage that I bought 2nd hand - it has to be going on 20 years of service at this point!

 

[drezac]

I was out of reenacting for several years while my sons were in middle/High School so I could attend their activities. When I eventually returned to reenacting, I pulled my tent out of the storage barn. it was musty, and had been home for unknown generations of Mice and cat families. I set it up and gave it a good power washing, and it was ready for service as good as new. However, It did not have any rot, just years of funkiness. If you have any rot, you might as well replace it, as repairs will likely just rip out.

 

[R. Porter]

I was out of reenacting for several years while my sons were in middle/High School so I could attend their activities. When I eventually returned to reenacting, I pulled my tent out of the storage barn. it was musty, and had been home for unknown generations of Mice and cat families. I set it up and gave it a good power washing, and it was ready for service as good as new. However, It did not have any rot, just years of funkiness. If you have any rot, you might as well replace it, as repairs will likely just rip out.

Is it really possible to get rid of that cat pee smell?

 

[drezac]

It did not have any cat pee. they just used it as a soft place to raise the family. If that was the case, I would have likely trashed it. However, OxyClean does wonders for cat-pee on fabric.

 

[d.perry]

If mine I would begin by brushing off any residue, soaking canvas with vinegar, let dry, then rinse with a power washer with a lower PSI nozzle. Let it dry in the sun, then inspect it for rot and damage.

Do you live near the coast or a lake? The people who service sails will be able to help you out with cleaning and repairs.