It seems like every trip out this year it rained. Man, I hate camping in the rain – especially with dogs. We noticed that Midge’s awning has started to lose some of its water repellant properties. It is made with great Sunbrella fabric, but with exposure the water repellant degrades. The Holiday Rambler awning was made with a cheap outdoor fabric that never really did repel water very well. Dagnabit! I want the area outside my door to be dry with 4 dogs coming in and out.
I used Scotchguard on the HR awning, and it did absolutely nothing. NOTHING! I decided to buy some “Never Wet” at Home Depot. If you’ve seen the commercials, you know how awesome it looks! Spray it on something, and water and spills just roll off! Amazing. Well, geez…..it SHOULD be amazing – $15 for a tiny 12 oz spray bottle!! I would need at least 5 bottles for one awning! No way. I made my awnings for less than that.
I love the Internet! I did some searching and found a recipe to make it myself for much cheaper!! It was incredibly easy, too.
*Disclaimer: This worked for me. Do a patch test first if you are concerned about the colorfastness of your fabric. Proceed with caution.
WATER PROOF RECIPE
1 quart Mineral Spirits
1/2 tube 100% Silicone
DO THIS IN A WELL VENTILATED AREA, OR OUTSIDE!
Mix well until silicone is completely dissolved (this takes a while). Roll or brush on evenly, completely soaking fabric. Let dry for 24 hours. Use right away, this mixture doesn’t keep very long.
MY AWNING IS 7′ x 10′. I used 1 1/2 quarts mineral spirits, and 3/4 tube of silicone.
How easy is that?! I put a tarp down in my carport, and spread the awning out on it. I used a cheap paint roller. When you put it on, it darkens the fabric, and you will completely FREAK OUT. No worries: it dries clear :-).
Pictures:
Mineral Spirits
100% Clear Silicone. Use 1/2 tube per quart of mineral spirits.
Mineral Spirits and Silicone
Mix until silicone is dissolved.
Lay awning flat.
Apply with cheap paint roller or brush.
Freaking OUT!
Applied!
Leave it alone, and let dry for 24 hours.
We took this bad boy awning with us to Pagosa Springs for the TCT Rally a couple weeks ago. It rained in the middle of the night, and I’m sorry to say I did not get up to take pictures of the rain rolling off the awning. I can say, that in the morning the awning was completely dry, as was the ground beneath it. Everything outside the awning area was soaked. In my pea brain, that means it works. I’m not sure how often I will have to reapply. Hopefully, it lasts a couple seasons.
The Rambler is tucked away for the winter, but I will be doing this for that awning as well.
A couple more pictures of the awning and Midge, just because:
Midge in all her glory
Beauty!
Party on the patio!
Party on the patio!
We are settling in to fall, and will be starting to work on the Silver Streak. Stay tuned!
projectmidge 