Waterproofing Canvas

[Oregon Horner]

I'm working on a small piece of canvas that I'll use to make a haversack.  I painted it with a mixture of boiled linseed oil and Indian Red artists oil paint.  To be true with a traditional method I should have used powdered pigment to mix in with the BLO, however I couldn't find any locally.  I figured that the artists paint was powdered pigment mixed with oil, so what the heck?  I worked the BLO paint in the canvas with a brush until it worked through the pores.  I left it hanging up outside to cure.  I'll work it with a stone when the paint has fully cured.  I got this method from Mark Bakers book "A Pilgrim's Journey", Vol. 1.
Scott

[n5lyc]

now i know we are trying to be traditional, but why not just use a modern scotch guard or water repellant that is made for tents and canvas, instead of (camping in a candle).

I mean once it is on the material, how can you tell???

I love that   "WOOFF"  sound when something ignites with great authority....
but NOT when i am inside of it......


Ian

[Three Hawks]

Steer clear of Thompson's, they changed the formulation a few years ago and it now damages canvas or cloth. 

I would recommend Canvak.  Spendy and worth it.   White latex sheet rock primer?   I've seen exterior latex paint used to waterproof canvas, it works but adds weight.  If you're not carrying it, a little extra tonnage shouldn't matter too much.  Maybe an exterior latex in an off white or cream color, thinned with water.  We're not looking for coverage here, only some water resistance.

Any oily rags tossed in a pile where they can get oxygen will spontaneously burn.   If the stuff on 'em will evaporate, hang 'em to dry, otherwise put in an air  tight container until they can be burned, or in a plastic trash bag, then in the garbage.

Three Hawks