Looking after canvas?

[Lauren Child]

Having just put a new canvas on Dolly I was wondering what my best bet was to look after it? Water tends to pool on to of the truck, and I don't want it to get damaged.

 

Also what's good to look after the webbing straps? Should I be using Blanco or wax?

[rdx10]

I was going to reply that years ago Grangers used to do a product called Mesowax which I thought was for canvas , but on looking on Google to see if it was still made this thread turned up in the search

 

http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?5609-Canvas-restore

 

Grangers have a website anyway if you wanted to see what product range they have

[No Signals]

There is nothing wrong at all with the traditional products such as Grangers Fabsil. An alternative that does the same job is the building product Thompsons Water Seal. Per 5L tin it works out about £10 cheaper, - if cost is an issue.

[Ivor Ramsden]

This might sound daft, but parking on a slope stops the water pooling! I used to do it with an early Series 1 Land Rover which had flat-topped hood sticks.

[snort]

I used to put a bamboo cane under the canvas to keep it up and stop the pooling........cheap too!

[g0ozs]

I did much the same as Snort with my SUMB which otherwise has a very saggy tilt and big puddles overhead - I used 1" x 1/4" wooden battens laid over the hoops to stop large pools forming - 6 at 1' intervals width wise across the SUMB (about 72" wide across the body as it happens) seemed to keep the puddles at bay. I drilled the wood either side of each hoop and put a cable tie round with the sharp head scratching join at the top - those minded to use materials in keeping with the vehicle age could I guess use cord and tie it. Once the tilt is on the weight and tension of the tilt keeps the battens in place anyway.

 

Hope this helps

 

Iain

[Tony B]

I've got the thin palstic sheet used for adverts on the side of buses. Rests nicley on the top of the frame, very light and dosne't damage fabric. Nixwax rug proof is very good stuff, stain resistant as well.

[Lauren Child]

Thanks chaps. I think I might try using some pipe insulation down the centre spar to give the canvas a shallow peak. If that doesn't work the wooden battens / bamboo sound like a good idea.

 

Any ideas on the webbing? I've seen what the elements do to webbing over time.