Weting a new tent

On 18 Mar 2006 10:31:31 -0800, "[email hidden]"
<[email hidden]> wrote:

|Hi,
| I have bought a Vaude Taurus Ultralight tent. I have been advised
|before using it that I should wet it to help waterproof it before using
|for the first time. The question is how wet do I need to get it, 5mins
|with a hose pipe or does it need an evening of rain.

I leave new tents out in the rain for a while to get soaked and shrink a
bit.
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On 18/3/06 18:31, in article
[email hidden],

Quoted post said:

I have bought a Vaude Taurus Ultralight tent. I have been advised
before using it that I should wet it to help waterproof it before using
for the first time. The question is how wet do I need to get it, 5mins
with a hose pipe or does it need an evening of rain.
Cheers Beds

I know that used to be recommended but I shouldn't think you have to worry
about that too much with new kit.

--
Andy Howell, Birmingham, UK. To mail simply put back the dots ...

Must Be Over There ...
http://www.ecotrend.org.uk/trek

Quoted message said:

I have bought a Vaude Taurus Ultralight tent. I have been advised
before using it that I should wet it to help waterproof it before using
for the first time.

I can't see how wetting treated nylon a first time will make it any
different the second time. It might let you double check the seam
seals, but in terms of actually enhancing the waterproofing, it sounds
like nonse to me...

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

Peter Clinch said:

Quoted message said:

I have bought a Vaude Taurus Ultralight tent. I have been advised
before using it that I should wet it to help waterproof it before using
for the first time.

I can't see how wetting treated nylon a first time will make it any
different the second time. It might let you double check the seam
seals, but in terms of actually enhancing the waterproofing, it sounds
like nonse to me...

Pete.

Wasn't this something you used to do to tents years ago, before
the advent of 'proper' waterproofing, to shrink the fabric
slightly, tightening the weave and thus increasing its water
repelant properties?

Not something a modern fabric needs surely?

--
Regards

Nick

Surely you can "wet it" first time it rains, then it will waterproof
itself first time you use it.

That said, the whole thing does sound a bit like bollocks to me, but
admitedly not everything I've never hear before is nonsense and I must
admit, caving ropes shrink a bit on first use / first wash. Are you
thinking of the magic properties of ventile jackets ? I suppose an
old-style cotton tent could shrink a bit first time its wetted, so may
be some rational for sorting this out in the garden rather than having
to re-guy the tent in the middle of the night in the pouring rain.