5 Steps to Waterproofing Your Pack

Waterproofing any of your bags or packs just got easier with these five simple steps.

John Scott

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Step 1
Pour 1 quart of the mineral spirits in the mixing container.

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Step 2
Add 1.5 ounces of clear silicone caulking, that’s about half a 3-ounce tube.

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Step 3
Stir the mixture to break up the spirits and caulking. Then seal the container with its cap and shake well until completely mixed.

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Step 4
Use the paint brush to paint the pack with the mixture. Be sure not to miss a spot!

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Step 5
Let the pack hang dry for 24 hours. After it is dry, it will be water resistant. Reapply coating as necessary.

If you already have a pack that works well for you but isn’t waterproof, try waterproofing it yourself. While the following method doesn’t make a pack as water impenetrable as the ones shown in the accompanying buyer’s guide, it does help it resist moisture and modest amounts of water. Depending on the item being treated, conditions and amount of use, the level of water resistance will vary.

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What You’ll Need:

1 quart mineral spirits
About 1.5 ounces of 100-percent clear silicone caulking
Container with cap for mixing
Something to mix with
Paint brush

Disclaimer: Before going to town on your favorite pack, try this method on a test item or a small portion of your pack to be sure of color-fastness and waterproofing results.

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This article was originally published in the BALLISTIC™ Spring 2016 issue. Subscription is available in print and digital editions here.

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