Formulas for Waterproofing
WATERPROOFING CANVAS
● 3 cups soybean oil (available from grocery or health food store)
● 1-1/2 cups turpentine
Mix ingredients together. Paint on surfaces of tents, awnings, car and boat covers, etc., and let dry. Store in a cool place, out of reach of children and pets. Reapply after a year or two of hard use or outdoor exposure. This is great for tents, awnings and camping equipment.
WATERPROOFING LEATHER FOR OUTDOOR USE
Method 1: Heat together in a double boiler
● 2 1/2 ounces neat's-foot oil (be careful - oil is flammable - available from boot or shoe store)
● 3/4 ounce mineral oil (available from drugstore or chemical supply house) and
● 1/2 ounce of tallow (be careful tallow is flammable - available from meat market)
Stir gently until well mixed. Cool and bottle. Use a cloth to rub into shoes and boots.
Method 2: Mix 1 tablespoon silicone oil (available from foundry or foundry supply dealer) into 1 cup of Stoddard solvent (hardware store, drugstore or drycleaning shop). Apply liberally.
WATERPROOFING CONCRETE
Mix 1 1/4 pounds ammonium stearate (available from drugstore or chemical supply house) into 4 gallons of hot water and apply two coats with a large paint brush. This can be used for a concrete garden wall, foundation or a floor which becomes wet repeatedly.
Another concrete water proofing product of old is waterglass, also known as sodium silicate. It does leach out over time when subjected to water, unless baked.
Waterglass even used to seal eggs to extend their [unrefridgerated[ shelf life by sealing the surface. The eggs were merely dipped in the waterglass solution.