Even the best tents lose their waterproofing over time. UV exposure, repeated packing, and general wear gradually break down the durable water repellent (DWR) coating on your flysheet, leaving you vulnerable to leaks on wet nights. The good news is that reproofing a tent is straightforward, affordable, and can add years to its life. Here's how to do it properly.
How Do You Know When Your Tent Needs Reproofing?
The easiest test is to watch how water behaves on your flysheet. A well-proofed tent causes water to bead up and run off. If water is soaking into the fabric and causing it to darken — known as "wetting out" — it's time to reproof. You may also notice the inner tent feeling damp even when there are no obvious leaks, as a saturated flysheet loses its ability to breathe and causes condensation to build up inside.
What You'll Need
For most tents, a silicone-based waterproofing treatment is the most effective option. We stock the full Grangers Fabsil range, which is one of the most trusted names in tent waterproofing:
- Fabsil Waterproofing Spray 400ml — ideal for spot treatments and smaller tents
- Fabsil Waterproofing Spray 600ml — good all-round size for a family tent flysheet
- Fabsil Liquid 1 Litre — best applied by sponge or cloth for thorough, even coverage
- Fabsil Liquid 2.5 Litre — cost-effective for large tents or multiple treatments
- Fabsil Liquid 5 Litre — best value for regular reproofing or larger canvas tents
- Grangers 2-in-1 Cleaner & Proofer — cleans and reproofs in one step, great for a quick seasonal refresh
Step-by-Step: How to Reproof a Tent
1. Clean the tent first. Dirt and mildew prevent waterproofing treatments from bonding properly. Use a specialist tent cleaner or the Grangers 2-in-1 and rinse thoroughly.
2. Apply while damp. Fabsil liquid and spray both bond better to a slightly damp flysheet. Pitch your tent or lay the flysheet out flat after rinsing.
3. Apply evenly. Use the spray for quick coverage or apply the liquid version with a sponge, working it into the fabric in overlapping strokes. Pay extra attention to seams, corners, and high-wear areas around zips and guy line attachment points.
4. Allow to cure. Leave the tent pitched or the flysheet spread out to dry fully — ideally in warm conditions. Avoid packing it away damp.
5. Test it. Once dry, pour a little water over the flysheet. It should bead and run off cleanly. If it still wets out in patches, apply a second coat to those areas.
What About Seam Sealing?
Reproofing treats the fabric but not the seams. If you're getting leaks specifically along stitched seams, you'll need a dedicated seam sealer applied to the inside of the flysheet. This is worth doing on older tents where the factory seam tape has started to peel.
When Is It Time for a New Tent?
If your tent is leaking through the fabric itself rather than the seams, or the poles are failing, reproofing may only be a short-term fix. Browse our full tent range — including the Outdoor Revolution Airedale and Kampa Dawlish ranges — if it's time for an upgrade.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I waterproof my tent?
As a rule of thumb, reproof your tent once a season if you camp regularly, or whenever you notice water wetting out rather than beading on the flysheet. High-use tents or those stored damp may need treating more frequently.
Can I use Fabsil on any tent?
Fabsil is suitable for most synthetic flysheet fabrics including polyester and nylon. It can also be used on canvas and polycotton tents, though these may benefit from a higher-volume liquid treatment. Always check the manufacturer's guidance for your specific tent.
Should I use Fabsil spray or liquid?
The spray is convenient for quick treatments and smaller tents. The liquid applied by sponge gives more thorough, even coverage and is better value for large family tents. The 2-in-1 Cleaner & Proofer is the easiest option if you want to clean and reproof in one go.
Does waterproofing spray affect tent breathability?
A good DWR treatment like Fabsil restores the outer fabric's ability to repel water without blocking breathability. In fact, a properly proofed flysheet can improve ventilation performance, as a saturated flysheet causes condensation to build up inside the tent.
