Tarp colour
 

HELP!!!!!!!!!
We used the high-pressure water hose on the tarp of our 25 Pounder Limber.
What it did is created graffitis on the tarp.
Is there a way to dye the tarp so these unwanted graffitis goes?
So far we covert them using kaki gun tape but it look very bad.
The tarp is the original from 1941.
Thanks

Gilles

I've never tried it myself but I've been told to get some latex paint mixed up then dilute it quite a bit with water and give the canvas several coats. The thin paint is supposed to keep the canvas from getting stiff from the paint. Having said this, I'd try it on some scraps first to make sure how it works.

Maybe permanent damage....
 

Bonjour Gilles

sorry to hear of your misfortune on the original tarp.

No doubt the pressure washer has removed some old caked in dirt in some places more than other paces and has left streaks...... so you have some light colored fabic fibers.....

I would try to wash it again.... at lower pressure..... get it wet...... rub in a mild detergent...Liquid Ivory.......soft floor brush by hand....... rinse with the pressure washer in one direction and again at 90 degrees to the first rinse...... you may be able to blend in the streaks enough to make it useful again.

It may help to hang the tarp folded over a rope line and wash from the bottom up and rinse from the bottom up....... instructions from pressure washer manufacturers always strongly recommend washing from the bottom up with a pressure washer as it will allow to flow dirt from the upper part over the cleaned section of the lower sections....... other wise the soap solution will streak on the lower part of the tarp that has not yet been washed and may be very hard to remove....they say the same for washing house sidings or vehicles......

Cleaning a tarp is like removing the patina from an old piece of furniture... it is never the same again and usually reduces its value......

Once the tarp is very very dry you may have to use some waterproof coating available in camping supply stores.

Good luck...... and let us know how you made out...

Bob C.

Check out Beachwood Canvas
 

Check out Beachwood Canvas or one the other MV canvas sights I believe the have canvas coatings that could be of help. I have also seen canvas paint which as its name implies is intended for paint canvas.


I have used plain old enamel paint sprayed on dry not so heavy that it is filling in the weave of the canvas. The canvas around the windows of my HUP was painted that way to match the truck back in `86 and it has held the color better than the paint on the rest of the truck.

Cheers Phil