Fabsil waterproofing not working

[Summit]

I painted on Fabsil Gold, from a 1lt tin I probably used half, let it dry but last night it leaked

Did I do something wrong? I didn’t wash it, just applied it.

should it be plastered on or do I need to wash rug first in a non bio wash?

it’s a falpro rug bought 2nd hand and I’d like to get it sorted

 

[TotalMadgeness]

I usually wash my rugs first, dry them, then sponge on Fabsil Gold until the rug is soaked. Then I dry them in the sun. Usually works OK even on cheaper rugs. I've never tried to apply Fabsil Gold on an unwashed rug however.

 

[lamlyn2012]

You do need to wash first so the fabsil can get into the fibres.
If it is second hand, though, do you know how the rug has been washed before.
Having said that though I stopped buying fal rugs as they were never very waterproof, but that is going back a long time so may be better now.

 

[MrsNorris]

I washed mine first too, it’s a no fill shires, and then literally soaked in fabsil and air dried. It was great until the horse lay in a large pile of poo, now that dirty bit leaks like a sieve, the rest is still waterproof though.

 

[phizz4]

One of the misconceptions with applying waterproofing is that it will restore a fabric that leaks, it won't. The rug fabric has a waterproof coating on the inside, applied when the fabric is made. You can't usually see what state this is in because of the lining. The fabric then has a water repellent coating on the outside, this is what causes water to bead up on the surface when the rug is new. This wears off with time and things like fabsil, Nikwax and Grangers aim to restore this durable water repellent coating. But, if the waterproof layer or membrane on the inside has failed nothing will restore it I'm afraid. Washing the rug in pure soap, then in something like Grangers reproofing, then tumble drying to activate it, can improve the water repellency.

 

[JillA]

The important thing, which may be too late and irrelevant for you OP, according to a very good local equine laundry, is not to wash at over 30 degrees and not to use harsh biological detergents. I don't wash my t/o's now, just the liners

 

[Summit]

Ok, well I definitely didn’t soak in the Fabsil so I think I’ll wash it and apply again and see how that goes.

just need a dry sunny day, which seems impossible at the moment