Waterproofing canvas on portable

I own a Otter Lodge. Last season I encountered some rain while ice fishing (go figure). My new Otter was soaked and it didn’t take long for the roof to leak.

Soon after it happened I called Otter to get their opinion on a product I could use on my portable. They really didn’t offer any ideas or products and I put the project on the back burner. Since hard water is right around the corner (fingers crossed) I should get this done.

Any advice for a specific product that can be used to help waterproof the canvas?

Thanks!

I can probably count on 1 hand the amount of times ive encountered rain while ice fishing so for me, my answer would be don’t worry about it as I would be more concerned about using a product that might damage the fabric, especially if otter didn’t have any suggestions. But maybe some others have done it and have a good solution for you

Get a couple cans of Camp dry spray on waterproofer.

Do a light coat over the entire surface, then a heavy soaking coat on the bottom flaps, on and around the zippers, and on the roof.
Let it dry thoroughly.

With normal use it should last a couple years, and dry much quicker. It will also help prevent the zippers from freezing.

munchy wrote:

Get a couple cans of Camp dry spray on waterproofer.

Do a light coat over the entire surface, then a heavy soaking coat on the bottom flaps, on and around the zippers, and on the roof.
Let it dry thoroughly.

With normal use it should last a couple years, and dry much quicker. It will also help prevent the zippers from freezing.

Rust-oleum makes a product call “NeverWet” for fabric that works great for what I’ve tried it on……they make one for boots a such too…
I got mine at Menards…….
Put on outdoors and let dry though……nasty stuff indoors….

I agree that rain is rare. However, I have had experiences ice fishing with a portable in the past while it snowed and any snow that accumulated on the roof would melt and cause a leak. Since my Otter was new I hadn’t had a chance to see how it handled snow and or the rare rain. I’m guessing that if it snows enough to accumulate I will experience a dripping my roof.

rmanderson wrote:

I agree that rain is rare. However, I have had experiences <em class=”ido-tag-em”>ice fishing with a portable in the past while it snowed and any snow that accumulated on the roof would melt and cause a leak. Since my Otter was new I hadn’t had a chance to see how it handled snow and or the rare rain. I’m guessing that if it snows enough to accumulate I will experience a dripping my roof.

that’s a good point. I got an otter for the first time last year. before that I used an old clam II and that thing leaked all over. Let us know how it turns out if you do end up waterproofing yours

Mudshark wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Munchy wrote:</div>
Get a couple cans of Camp dry spray on waterproofer.

Do a light coat over the entire surface, then a heavy soaking coat on the bottom flaps, on and around the zippers, and on the roof.
Let it dry thoroughly.

With normal use it should last a couple years, and dry much quicker. It will also help prevent the zippers from freezing.

Rust-oleum makes a product call “NeverWet” for fabric that works great for what I’ve tried it on……they make one for boots a such too…
I got mine at Menards…….
Put on outdoors and let dry though……nasty stuff indoors….

I’ve seen that stuff as well, never tried it though. Does it soak in at all or just sit on the surface? Since I’ve had great luck with Camp Dry, and like how it soaks in to the fabric and lasts for a while I never tried anything else.

I’ve even used it on standard carhartt bibs and knelt in sloppy wet snow with it and didn’t get a drop through the fabric. Just be sure to soak the fabric thoroughly.

munchy wrote:

I’ve seen that stuff as well, never tried it though. Does it soak in at all or just sit on the surface? Since I’ve had great luck with Camp Dry, and like how it soaks in to the fabric and lasts for a while I never tried anything else.

It goes on just like Camp Dry…wet it and let dry.

I have been using 3M Scotchgard Water Shield on all of my houses for years. Helps with more than just keeping rain out. Just like Munchy says, the skirting dries out much faster and the zippers freeze up much less.

X2 on the Scotchgard Outdoor Watershield.. I have been using this for years on a lot of my outdoor fabrics !!

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Sunbrella’s website recommends 303 FabricGuard… haven’t tried it, but might be a good option for canvas houses.

My Sunbrella snap-on boat covers don’t bead up at all so might give it a try.

Pete

HOLD THE PHONE………….

Otter does NOT recommend spraying the fabric with anything. Spraying will only seal moisture in from the inside causing mold and mildew to form.

I was told this as a rep last year at our annual meeting and reconfirmed it moments ago.

A spray silicon based waterproofer like has been discussed still allows the material to breath. Just doesn’t allow water soak into it. It makes water drops bead up and run away. Mold and mildew are not a concern.

A rubber/latex based sealant would be what would cause a mold problem.

We are all free to do what we want with our houses even if the manufacture doesn’t not recommend it. Please don’t get back on-line mid-march and tell everyone that Otter will not stand behind their product because in has mold and mildew….

I’ve did the rain thing plenty of times early ice on Red lake. When I get home I set it up in the garage and it dry by Tuesday. Just saying….

sand-burr wrote:

We are all free to do what we want with our houses even if the manufacture doesn’t not recommend it. Please don’t get back on-line mid-march and tell everyone that Otter will not stand behind their product because in has mold and mildew….

I’ve did the rain thing plenty of times early ice on Red lake. When I get home I set it up in the garage and it dry by Tuesday. Just saying….

I’ve had mine coated for a few years now, never had an issue. And I definitely don’t baby mine. However I did have a mildew problem before I sprayed mine… It never dried out.

Not all of us have the warm garage to let it dry out. Mine goes into the back of my truck on my first ice trip, and doesn’t go back into my garage until I have decided the ice is no longer safe. I used to chip ice off some days just to open it up, now I’m lucky if there is snow still stuck to the skirting.

I agree, warranties should never be honored for mold/mildew issues. That is lack of care and can happen to a brand new or twenty year old ice house. If you put your house into extended storage while it is still wet there is no way the fabric will fully dry while folded up, no matter what Otter says.

I’ll spray mine every year if it keeps it dry.