What do you use to Re-Weatherproof a sheet/rug/blanket?

[4LeafCloverFarm]

My COTH search is just whirling around and giving me nada, so if there is already a thread on this, sorry!

It’s time to re-weatherproof my big guy’s outdoor sheet. It’s just not shedding a light rain/drizzle as it should (and the horse happily stands out in 38°, rain, fog. drizzle for hours grazing, instead of staying in his shed and munching on his hay).

I’ve always used ScotchGard in the past (as it maintains fabric breathability) to re-weatherproof sheets/rugs/blankets - and I’ve been happy with this method. But I have seen in other threads that there are other options that might be better or more widely used. So what do you use and where did you get it?

[DarkBayUnicorn]

I use Woods Tent Waterproofing Spray. Works amazing.

[4LeafCloverFarm]

Tent Waterproofing - I never would have thought of that!

[horsepoor]

I’ve been using a product called Aqua-Tite that I’ve been happy with.

[mht]

@Lolliver

I have always used the orange cap spray in the camping section at Walmart. It works great!

This one. We are in Lexington this week, so checked out Wal-Mart. $5.95 for a 50% more special can. We pay $13. at our Cdn Wal-Mart’s for the smaller can. We stocked up.

[4LeafCloverFarm]

@mht

This one. We are in Lexington this week, so checked out Wal-Mart. $5.95 for a 50% more special can. We pay $13. at our Cdn Wal-Mart’s for the smaller can. We stocked up.

Well, I love a bargain! :yes: I think I’ll check our Walmart out this weekend.

Is it about 1 can per sheet or more? My horse is large - wears a 84"/86".

[SolarFlare]

I can’t figure out why the sprays work for everybody except me lol…I had a sheet that I’ve used three different brands of spray waterproofing on (including a two-step system that was guaranteed - got my money back for that one). It is okay if you sprinkle water on it, but standing outside in the rain, he’ll come in soaked through.

I got a gallon can of the paint-on silicone tent waterproofing and applied with a spray bottle. He came in a couple days ago and BO commented on how incredibly dry he was - water was beading off and the blanket itself was even dry on the outside.

If you’re going to use spray, at least one can and probably 2 for your size - mine wears an 80" and one can was barely enough (maybe not enough and that’s why it wasn’t working).

[4LeafCloverFarm]

When I used the ScotchGard, I always did two coats, using their extra large spray can (its aerosol) - and it was definitely all used up. I’ll probably get several cans (if they are on sale) because his mid-weight Rambo probably needs a re-do too.

[BruBoy]

@DarkBayUnicorn

I use Woods Tent Waterproofing Spray. Works amazing.

Same

[Jarpur]

Nikwax: https://www.nikwax.com/en-us/productselector/waterproofing.php#

[Sansena]

I’ll second Nikwax rug proof. But I’ve only had success with it (and only it, BTW) by applying in temps above 70 degrees by sponge application method, and letting it bake in the sun for 20 minutes before thoroughly rinsing. Then blanket needs to dry thoroughly in the bright, warm sun with low humidity.

I, too, have had zero success with any type of spray waterproofing.

[gothedistance]

Rustoleum “Never Wet”. Rediculously expensive, incredibly toxic (you will blanch at the warnings on the bottle), and hard to find. Yet it works phenomenally well - better than anything else on the market (and trust me when I say I’ve tried them all in my past 40 years of owning horses and their blankets). I watch the water just bead up on the turnouts and roll off, no matter how torrential or how long the rains. I can do two turnouts with one spray bottle, which is amazing in itself because the bottles are really small. You don’t get a lot, but the stuff is powerful. I hang my turnouts on a fence and a light spritzing does the job. Give it 20 minutes to dry, and the turnout is ready to wear and ready to shed water all year long (and beyond) like an equine umbrella.

Amazing stuff. Probably can put a hole in the ozone layer all on its own if it was in a spray can (thankfully it comes in a pump spray bottle) and is toxic just to look at the bottle let alone use it… BUT … it waterproofs like nothing else. Once you’ve tried it, you’ll never go back to anything else.

Nitwax in my estimation is a waste of money and time for poor results. I have never had it work for me, ever.

[Sansena]

HA! Yes, Nikwax, unless applied as I described above, has dubious results. The soaking method does NOT work on anything of size (duh - like a blanket). And the wash-through will surely ruin your machine but not really thoroughly waterproof your blankets.

Thanks for the advice on the NeverWet product… off to google that now.

[Texarkana]

@SolarFlare

I can’t figure out why the sprays work for everybody except me lol…I had a sheet that I’ve used three different brands of spray waterproofing on (including a two-step system that was guaranteed - got my money back for that one). It is okay if you sprinkle water on it, but standing outside in the rain, he’ll come in soaked through.

I’m right there with ya… the sprays never seem to be worth the effort for me, either.

After many years of trying, I got sick of wasting my time. I either let the blanket cleaning pros re-waterproof mine, or relegate them to the “backup” collection.

[BruBoy]

@gothedistance

Rustoleum “Never Wet”. Rediculously expensive, incredibly toxic (you will blanch at the warnings on the bottle), and hard to find. Yet it works phenomenally well - better than anything else on the market (and trust me when I say I’ve tried them all in my past 40 years of owning horses and their blankets). I watch the water just bead up on the turnouts and roll off, no matter how torrential or how long the rains. I can do two turnouts with one spray bottle, which is amazing in itself because the bottles are really small. You don’t get a lot, but the stuff is powerful. I hang my turnouts on a fence and a light spritzing does the job. Give it 20 minutes to dry, and the turnout is ready to wear and ready to shed water all year long (and beyond) like an equine umbrella.

Amazing stuff. Probably can put a hole in the ozone layer all on its own if it was in a spray can (thankfully it comes in a pump spray bottle) and is toxic just to look at the bottle let alone use it… BUT … it waterproofs like nothing else. Once you’ve tried it, you’ll never go back to anything else.

Nitwax in my estimation is a waste of money and time for poor results. I have never had it work for me, ever.

The fabric spray? https://www.amazon.ca/Rust-Oleum-278146-NeverWet-11-Ounce-Outdoor/dp/B00KRHF8E4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1542594828&sr=8-1&keywords=rust-oleum+neverwet

[gothedistance]

^Yes, that’s it.

Wait until you read the warnings on the side. I always make sure that I use it outside, that I’m upwind when using it, and there is a light breeze to blow afterspray away from me. Never on a completely calm day, otherwise I’m holding my breath.

I purchased the 6 pack this year to do all the multiple turnouts for my four. I have one bottle left, and I even did my own raincoats and lightweight jackets.

Wouldn’t go near it with a 10 foot pole if it wasn’t as incredible as it is at waterproofing.

[Gloria]

I use Nikwax. I’m not sure why some folks say it doesn’t work, because it works really well for me. I use the “apply the solution with sponge on the outer layer” method though. I don’t use spray, and I don’t do the “wash” method because I want the inside to be breathable. Make sure you soak the solution through the seams and the edges. Also do it outside. One year I did it indoor on my kitchen table because it was freezing outside. The fume… Let me just say, it wasn’t a pleasant experience…

[GramV]

Yes! Rustoleum Neverwet https://www.amazon.com/Oleum-274232-Never-Multi-Purpose/dp/B00DNQBFAW I just found a bunch at the 99 cent store and bought it. I’m going to go back and buy out the rest if they have it. (Yes, $1 for two spray bottles.)

I have used the Walmart camping stuff which is fine. I also just used a gallon of paint waterproofing, which did fine. This Never wet stuff is 100% better.

I agree in how toxic it smells. I’m doing it outside and covering my mouth and nose (in conditions in CA right now that are the worst air in the world) and it is bad. But, boy, it is repelling.

[4LeafCloverFarm]

Thanks for all these suggestions and real world experience with the various products. Most helpful! :yes:

@GramV - which dollar store chain did you see the sale in? I may do one blanket in the Rustoleum NeverWet and one sheet in the camping/tent product and see which holds up better to time.

I have a large picnic table (outside) that is perfect to spread the sheet/blanket out on to spray/dry. Now finding a dry day where the temp is also warm enough is going to be the tricky part. I should have done them last spring when they were washed and put away for summer, but didn’t. :sadsmile:

[DMK]

@Lolliver

I have always used the orange cap spray in the camping section at Walmart. It works great!

I’ve used that for years, but I have a fjord who thinks standing with his head in the stall and everything else outside is the way to go. He did this through 7" in 5 days just this last week. The sheet is only a few years old so it still held the waterproofing, but it was still wet and not repelling anything on the surface, so it’s just a matter of time with that kind of abuse.

So I tried this stuff:

So far I haven’t had rain to test it, but I did give it a little spritz from the hose and water beaded off just fine. If it holds up through this winter then I am switching over since orange can usually takes a few reapplications a season with Mr I Love Rainbaths