A Better Way to Waterproof Fabric

Thank you so much to those of you who support this channel on Patreon! Your support helps give me confidence to spend my time researching projects that are of value for more than just video views.

A special thank you to my top patrons:
Aik193, Bryan Shattuck, Chris, The Coldrays Team, Damián Arrillaga, Daniel Moore, Dustin B , Eugene Pakhomov, Evan Hughes, Evan Relf, Gusbear, Jedediah Kivi, Jonathan Wilt, Iain Rei, Josh Hoppes, Mark Roth, Matthew, Matthias S., Michel Pastor, M W, Nick Gerner, OscarCorx, PabloXIII, Parker Jones, Peter Gordon, PeteyPak, Sam Hodge, Santiago Perez, Simone Chiesi, Syniurge, Teague Lasser, TWSBI, WilSkarlet, Yanko Yankulov, Alvaro Figueroa

Thanks for watching!

-Ben

[Nighthawkinlight]

Check out my sponsor and remove your personal information from the web at JoinDeleteMe.com/nighthawk and use code NIGHTHAWK for 20% off.


It's been a strange few months for me figuring out how to keep making videos now having a kid to watch with my wife working part time. Meanwhile I've also assembled a new (and long overdue) editing computer thanks to your Patreon support, and learned new editing software starting with this video. I think I'm getting settled into my new routine and videos should keep coming this summer at my typical pace.

One update is that I'm trying to figure out a way to start livestreaming while I work on some of my projects. I've been hesitant to do that in the past because I don't want other channels to see what I'm working on and release their own version before I can. Now that I have some long term projects like my radiative cooling paint project I'm less concerned about copycats because everyone already knows what I'm up to. The trouble is that I don't have internet in my workshop. I could stream from my cellphone but the quality will be very poor. Let me know if you think livestreams would be something you would like to watch. Access might be a Patreon perk while I figure out the details.

See you on the next one, and thanks for watching!

-Ben

[MrThatguyuknow]

Plenty of hobbyist channels ask their audience to be renaissance men with thousands of dollars of niche equipment to follow along, and you stroll in and wow us with something you can teach in grade school. They say talent is hitting a target no one else can, but genius is hitting the target no one knew was there. You're up there as the Michael Faraday of DIYers in my book.

[johnathangaylordmusic]

Not gonna lie, the water proofing is nice but the knot and button info is top notch

[davinwilliams]

I don't really have anything to say, I'm just commenting because I think this video deserves the engagement.

[NancyWhiskeyTangoAlphaFoxtrot]

Kudos! I was in adult education for many years. Avid outdoors human, extreme camping & canoe traveler. Used to make fabric beeswax covers for my kitchen that are still going strong.
You are a true professional here. Keep teaching; it's your super power. Much gratitude!

[morg]

Its surprisingly hard to find basic techniques in modern media, so this is really refreshing to have such "simple" recipes being broadcasted to a wide audience, thx, very much

[happychess]

What I appreciate most is that you not only simplify your process (and explain why), but that you are always looking to improve upon what you already know, and do so in a playful way. Thank you.

[dailjordan]

I'm just a 78 yr old female nursing instructer - you are a tremendous teacher. You speak perfect speed, use normal language I can understand, create things I could use, use store bought items and all this with a pleasant personality. How intelligent of you. Your lessons are fun to watch, I always look forward to the next one whether I need it or not. You gave me the ability to comprehend and this helps me retain the knowledge. Thank you Thank you Thankyou. Learning really can be fun not confusing.

[gilbertayala]

You get straight to the point without much talk that we the viewer don’t care about. You explain in great detail while staying on point. You’re much appreciated!

[kmart]

This is the stuff that the internet was made for. Incredible information across the board and amazing video. 10/10

[rcketplumber]

The cheap plastic tarps are also made of resins that are quickly and severely degraded by sunlight, breaking the chemical bonds that hold them together. Cotton doesn't decompose in sunlight if dry, so your waterproofing gives it long life.

[leifhietala]

Actually you can use your favorite iron with no difficulties. When I was treating my raw pine dining table with beeswax (a LOT of beeswax), we melted it in with our only clothes iron. When we were done, running the hot iron a few times over a couple of paper towels removed every trace of wax from the surface. Being nonabsorbent, it didn't retain any wax. Filling with water and running the steam setting blew any remaining wax out of the holes, and it was perfectly clean.

We still have the iron. We use it on clothes. Not a problem.

[richardmccreery]

I have watched a few of your videos over the years, including the Naptha and Silicon water proofing technique. I think the thing I enjoy most is how you explain things, your not fast or haphazard in your explanations and you keep it simple for the layman to follow along. Keep of the good work.

[nationtheis]

Dude, the favorite part is the whole video. You are able to take anything from a simple idea to a complex one and make it easy enough to understand that a grade schooler can mostly follow along, and yet still make it entertaining enough to keep an educated adult hooked, and still teach said adult. Don’t change

[comradesoupbeans]

one of my favorite things about your channel has been the fact that you consistently do fairly rigorous, and often long term, testing of the things you show/talk about. It really elevates you above the common stuff that is either untested or poorly explained because the presenter doesn't truly understand it themselves; the fact you're very open about the things you don't know is also super important to that.

[jamesberrange]

I just lost my best rain hat in a rainstorm. I followed the instructions and – just for fun – waterproofed my old sunbleached cotton hat as a stand-i. It didn't take long at all, and worked so incredibly well that water literally runs off it. Its WAY better than the hat I just lost! I also have the sense of achievement having done it, not by myself, but with your generous help. Thank you so much for all the work you put into this and sharing your knowledge with us. Your praises will be sung far and wide!!

[uniworkhorse]

My favorite part of this video is your hearty chuckle! Thank you for making these substantial educational videos for so long!

[aarondcmedia]

0:36 - I would like to thank you for the clearly effective dead cat or other wind noise canceling tech you are using to keep your exterior audio so clean and audible. Your content is great, but the hidden production values are what make it so accessible.

[Covilion]

Your use of mineral oil to soften the wax reminds me of "plasticizers" in flexible PVC (vinyl) applications. The plasticizer is a compound, typically a petroleum-based liquid, that is added to raw PVC to impart softness and flexibility. It's how PVC can range from being as rigid as the PVC pipes in your plumbing to being as soft as the faux leather seats in your car!
I work for a company that produces flexible vinyl membrane for flat or low-slope roofing applications, and one of the biggest limiters of a membrane's lifetime is plasticizer migration. This is where, over long periods of time, the plasticizer leeches out from the polymer matrix. Consequently, the membrane is left brittle and is prone to cracking.
I would be very interested in seeing how the mineral oil plasticizer holds up against migration, and consequently how long these coated fabrics retain their flexibility under use.

Very cool video!

[floorpizza]

"Penguin Mode" is the greatest thing I've seen on the internet in a long time.

I'm 57 years old, and when I grow up, I want to be just like Ben.

Thank you for yet another fantastic piece of entertainment/education.