Canvas Waterproofing

I want to make a 3"square canvas sheet to roll some gear in and tie to the back of a saddle. Would like to make the canvas as water repellant as reasonably possible, but wouldn't want it to be greasy or waxy.

I've used Thompson Water Sealer in the past... and it is sort of o.k. Just read about another treatment:
3c Soybean Oil mixed with 1 1/2 c. Turpentine, paint on and allow to dry. Does anyone have any experience with this stuff? Does it actually dry. I guess I could try it, but thought I'd mine the Forum minds first.

I'm not sure about soybean oil... IIRC if you use a 50-50 mixture of boiled linseed oil and turpentine, the result would be basic traditional oil cloth.

There are various recipes for improving the treatment. (and if you go overboard with additives you wind up with primative linoleum instead of oil cloth).

It will take quite some time for the boiled linseed oil to fully cure and you want to keep the canvas out of the house and properly ventilated especially while the turpentine is drying. In moderate temps and humidity I'd *guess* at least two weeks curing time. Two applications are much superior to one. If you don't let the boiled linseed oil cure long enough it will stick together in hot/humid weather. In any event, it would not hurt, after curing, to powder both sides with unscented talcum powder or chalk powder (shake off the excess) to reduce sticking.

The turpentine (don't use mineral solvent - stick to turpentine) is used as a cut-back - it has no other function. Straight boiled linseed oil would not penetrate the fibers as well, take forever to cure, and be stiff as a board. Do NOT use raw linseed oil - use boiled.

There are wax based treatment methods as well.

Be far simpler to simply search on "oil cloth" and purchase some ready-finished. Be aware that "oilcloth" is usually vinyl coated fabric like inexpensive picnic table cloths and "oil cloth" is usually the linseed oil treated fabric - usually. Caveat Emptor.

Horseman Chris K. probably knows a lot more about this than I do...

HTH,

Tom

I read that recipe a while back as well from a Chicago Area Girls Scout's homepage. But I have never tried it. She also had a recipe for fireproofing canvas:

½ c. ammonium phosphate
1 c. ammonium chloride
1 quart water

Mix until dissolved
Soak canvas in solution
Repeat as necessary

But, again, I never tried it. I'm not sure but I suspect that if you wanted to do both, one would fireproof first as the oil in the waterproofing would prevent the fireproofing chemicals from penitrating into the fabric.

Good luck and post your results if you try it.

Fireproofing the fabric first would likely do little to prevent the linseed oil base from burning. Pete

Dooh!

Thanks

First I would consider consider your system. Any cantlebag or pack system is putting wieght on your mount's hindquarters.This may result in a unbalanced horse with sore muscles. Think about what a fat wallet in your hip pocket can do. If you look at any of the world's cavalries, pommel bags were a popular component. If you use a traditional "fish" slicker, the pleat will allow it to drape over much of your cantle anyway. This is what those old fish were, linseed treated cotton.Time gave them the yellow colour. It's a superior material to plastics that freeze or make enough noise to spook the dead. Be sure to "sack" your horse out with your rig. I showed up at my barn in a suit and tie one day. My mare thought I was the boogy man <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the suggestions, folks. I knew you were a good resource.

Chris K. : I know you're right. My problem is that the outfitter for this 3 day Canadian Rocky Mt. packtrip will permit only a fanny pack on me while mounted, and a "roll" holding coat/rain gear "tied to the back of the saddle". They never mentioned a pommel bag. I guess I could buy one and try it, but the ones I've seen don't seem large enough to hold a coat and raingear. I don't ride enough to really make the purchase a good idea, but will do so if the wellbeing of the horse is at stake.

So if a jacket (insulated, but not overly weighty) and a rainsuit is too much to put in a roll and tie to the cantle, please tell me. What about draping the roll forward of the pommel??

I GUESS THE WATERPROOFING OF THE CANVAS WAS A MINOR ISSUE!

If it's just a coat/slicker the wieght issue isn't a problem. Just roll it tight and tuck everything neatly. Unwinding one of these with rain pouring on you can get messy. If you are lucky enough to ride a slickfork saddle ( the front is A shaped and not swelled out) you could roll it up,drape behind the horn and tie off to the front strings. This will make an impromptu bucking roll and help brace you going downhill. Watch out for stuff in your pockets and avoid tight belts and BIG buckles. Hopefully, you are riding the canadian national horse.They have even better manners than two footed canadians <img src="images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />