4 minute read
The Things You See
MY TENT GETS A FACELIFT
My cherished Freedom Minit tent of 20 years plus and 1,000 sleeps, was looking sad and dowdy, and was deserving of some work including a dermal scrub and some moisturiser. She had been a hard worker, but her skin was drying out and if there was a hint of rain it would be absorbed with unfortunate results to occupants, usually me. Wet sleeping bags are no fun.
Some of you are probably thinking, “Truthful has been camping forever and still uses a tent?" I suffer from sleep apnoea and the CPAP machine I use works best on 240 volts. I just cannot take the risk that rain may fall during the night, leaving me at risk of electrocution or even worse, frizzy hair.
"Why did I bother to spend money on such an old tent?" you ask. I love my Freedom Minit so I looked into buying another one and found they no longer make a 2.4m x 2.4m (8ft x 8ft) tent. The cost of making a 2.4m is the same as the 2.8m, so nowadays only the larger size is manufactured. Originally, why did we buy this particular tent? My wife and I kept seeing this tent out on the verge of a camping store on Erindale Road (the shop is still there) and decided to check it out. It was a Freedom Minit tent 2.4m x 2.4m with a centre pole. It was made in New Zealand from high quality canvas and had a brilliant centre pole system that I have not seen on any other centre pole system since. The pole comes in two sections; the top section is of a larger diameter than the bottom and internally it has a heavy-duty spring fitted. This is spot welded in the correct position so when fitting the pole inside the tent, the spring compresses, which when released allows the pole to expand keeping the tent taunt via the spring. With this system tent, tent erection is a breeze. No more pole tension loss resulting in slippage and halfmast tents. Recalling the adage 'buy cheap buy twice' we handed over $500 plus (remember this was in the late 1990s) and we have been the best of friends with the tent ever since. I should admit that she has had two new zips and a new floor. She has been everywhere with us; through rainstorms, a two-day drowning due to a tropical low, being camped on mud, beaches and dune tops and she is still going strong.
THE THINGS YOU SEE!
with (TRUTHFUL) PHIL BIANCHI
I have used Peter G’s Marine Products in Malaga WA, for years. They manufacture marine, cleaning and camping products. In particular I have used their silicone based waterproofing product many times. It isn’t cheap, but it works. I went to the Big Green Shed and bought a five-litre pressure bottle sprayer and then to Peter G’s to pick up the waterproofing solution which comes in one, two and fourlitre sizes. Why a pressure sprayer? They are inexpensive and do a great job in swiftly coating the tent. When the job is finished, I discard the sprayer because the solvent damages the pressure washer’s seals and other plastic componentry. Using a 2.4m square frame made of timber, I attached the tent corners and erected the tent on paving so any overspray would not kill the lawn and gave the canvas a good scrub to remove any dirt, then left it to dry thoroughly. Emptying the Peter G solvent into the pressure bottle, I pressured up and began spraying an even coat, thoroughly wetting the tent. When it was dry, I gave it another thorough coating. Once coated twice I left it to dry out and air for a few days ensuring all solvent smell had dissipated. Other uses for Peter G’s waterproofing product include water proofing swags, clothing, furniture and carpets. In addition, other Peter G camping products include fuel for camping stoves, porta potti toilet chemicals, Night N Day liquid soap and shampoo. The shampoo and soap are brilliant and lather in all water conditions including hard and salty water. (Please don’t use it in the ocean, yes it would work, but it isn’t good for the ocean is it?) The salty water I am talking about is from outback bores, wells and windmills. Please do the right thing. Don’t ruin water habitats and do keep away from stock troughs. Getting back to the tent project, I tested the tent surface by letting water pool on it, when released the water ran off without leaving any wet patch, very impressive. I was delighted with the facelift. The hardworking tent now has smooth skin and is looking youthful despite her age and is now ready for another five plus years of camping.
