How to waterproof virtually anything
A few weeks back I found myself over friend’s house playing poker and having a few beers. This household takes poker real seriously, so naturally we found ourselves playing on one of those green felt-covered poker tables you usually find in a casino.
At some point in the evening, after a number of drinks had been consumed, one of the guys inadvertently knocked over a beer bottle on the felt table.
To my surprise, the beer splashed on the table and separated out into little beaded drops, and quickly rolled off the felt table, leaving absolutely no trace that there had been a spill.
I was fascinated. It was as if the laws of physics had been altered. Needless to say, I asked the owner of the table how it was possible. His explanation: Silicone Water-Guard spray.
What it is: a heavy duty water-repellent with polymers that cross link for maximum waterproofing and durability in a single application.
Here’s what it looks like:
It works like this: you spray it on felt, leather, nylon, cotton, or most any fabric material, and it coats it with a very thin, non-sticky invisible silicone layer. End result: really effective waterproofing.
To show you just how effective this stuff is, I took the following photos. Each shows a paper towel folded twice with 1 tablespoon of water applied.
This is the one without the silicone. As expected, the paper towel soaks up the water completely.
And here is the one with a quick spray of Silicone Water-Guard. Notice how the water competely beads up into a puddle and refuses to penetrate the surface of the material.
Amazing, right? Okay, maybe I’m impressed by little things, but think of the possible applications:
- Suede jackets that never get ruined
- easy-clean, no spill fabric surfaces (card tables, workstations, etc.)
- really waterproof raingear
- waterproof, stain-resistant sneakers, shoes, and hats.
- spill-proof rugs
- others? leave a comment.
Silicone Water-Guard is available at most hardware and home stores for just a few bucks. Check it out.
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Foot Locker also markets the same stuff to protect your shoes from rain / sock from leaky shoes in the rain.
I wonder if it would help keep dog hair from sticking to an old couch I have.
i wonder if i can use that spray over a flees neck gaiter, and keep breath throw when i lift it over my noes ?!
I have no idea what this means.