Water and Mould proofing your Yurt

Lately I have been researching for water-proofing agents or products that will last a long time, add fire protection and add a mould inhibitor as well. I found 3M to have their product called Scotchgard, but only available in small 300 ml spray cans as the bulk amounts of it have been banned from Australia. So, doesn’t this say, “Stay away from this!”

The next was a product from ‘Wax-converters’ in Sydney called ‘Dynaproof’, a water-based product that is nontoxic and odourless rather like a PVA glue in its appearance and consistancy. It was moderately successful when applied at the rate of 1 ltr. per 5 m2.

The next was a bees wax based product from Rainbow Tipis in Byron Bay. This was concocted by Ray Brown with Pure Turps and some other rather harmless but effective ingredients. This when applied at the same rate as the others gave a better result only I noticed that it leaked at the creasings if the canvas was bent or creased after the application. But it did work provided the application was not touched or rubbed after drying.

The canvas I used was a very a polycotton blend that would ask a great deal of any water-proofer. The weave was very open and light could be seen through the weave.

If your particular canvas is tightly woven then either of these products would work well.

The contact details for them are;

Wax Converters Textiles Aust.� www.waxcon.com.au� waxcon@waxcon.com.au

Rainbow Tipis �� www.RainbowTipis.com.au�

Dupont have a new product called Teflon Silicone Lubricant also available in spray cans but also in larger quantities. Both are polymer derived and work very well on canvas even though Dupont originally discovered this product while testing for another inorganic application. They found this one will lubricate any moving parts against high friction movement, of wood through to metal and glass, withstanding temperatures in excess of 400 deg F. (Stick it in your Car !!!?) (Toxic to the environment)Any of these Teflon based polymers are to be avoided. Choose carefully it is your health you are then protecting!
Another product is Bradmill Brellaproof and Brellaguard. These are two more products that act at a nanod level to crystalise the polymers and therefore at a molecular chemical level it works to protect the canvas material. It is specially purpose designed for this use on canvas and in that a more recommended product. It is also cheaper and goes further.

I�d love to hear from those with more experience in this area, its so important to get it right!!