I bought an Eureka Wind and River (?) family size tent at a yard sale. Good condition generally, and no leaks, but the fly and the pole and peg storage bags of same material are sticky or tacky. I don't think talc would last long. Wondered if anyone had any ideas for a cure. Soap and water might be answer but would be afraid it would impair water repellency. I may just hang in attic to see if a good airing fixes it.

And if I am repeating a post - my browser crashed around the first time I tried to post and I can't find it. Sorry.

old tents are nasty for that problem,i had the same thing with one i put away years ago.i washed it and re-did the WP with the spray on silicon.

The coating on the tent is degrading - due to age. I had the verysame thing happen with my first Eureka tent from the early 80's. There is really not much you can do to fix it.

I've heard some say you can wash it in hopes of removing the waterproof layer, and then replace that layer.

In my view, its time to get a new tent - pure & simple.

Ken

Don't take the Maple Syrup into the tent on your next trip. It may improve romance but makes the tent sticky!

Yeah I had the same issue with my old Eureka and tried all of the above and then some. Conclusion that tent is toast. Fishguts that may fall under the to much information then needed column.

quote fishguts: "It may improve romance but makes the tent sticky!"

There is a good "romance" joke in there somewhere, but I think I'll leave it to your imaginations.

;-)I'll let your imaginations run wild.

It cost less than $50 so no huge loss. Pole and peg bags are not critical so only the fly is an annoying problem. Unpleasant to handle but works fine. I may try washing and maybe treating with spray the fly.

Thanks for input - I figured it was a chemical change in the coating or fabric.

Eureka had some suggestions when I called them. I would give them a call and ask what to do?

Well, I finally called. (I was actually purchasing parts for repairing BS Troop tents.) The fly and storage bags were tacky or sticky. Eureka recommended washing in a washing machine with an agitator and mild detergent or Woolite, and then retreating with waterproofing - Polycoat made by Aquaseal.

Eureka provides great customer service in my experiences.

let it go

Souns like more trouble then it is worth. Is it also stinky?

I can only think of one thing that might cause that:

Cause of Tent Stink

No odors and otherwise in excellent condition. It is fine in rain - just sticky. Very lightly used Eureka. Seems worth a little bit of work.

Those your BVDs Corndog, from this years trek?

Bill, I've used that AquaSeal recommended by Eureka before on my Timberline - and I don't care for it... maybe try a small portion and see what you think. Leaves the tent stiff, crinkly, and scratchy, though it does re-waterproof it. You can see every crease from folding, etc. in that layer of Aquaseal. Hard to explain, will see if I can get a pic except it's outside and being rained on now.

quote BWPaddler: "Bill, I've used that AquaSeal recommended by Eureka before on my Timberline - and I don't care for it... maybe try a small portion and see what you think. Leaves the tent stiff, crinkly, and scratchy, though it does re-waterproof it. You can see every crease from folding, etc. in that layer of Aquaseal. Hard to explain, will see if I can get a pic except it's outside and being rained on now."

Thanks. Good to know. I thought a spray on silicone would work but maybe not. Maybe just use it and ignore the sticky also an option. I wondered what would happen if weathered for a while and if not storing tightly packed would prevent it. They say loose - and to store poles assembled, not folded - but how many of us do that?

Yeah, the pole thing crossed my mind this weekend with the longgggg fiberglass poles - no way I can store assembled. The Timberline poles COULD be an option in the closet corner, but nah - never done it. Re-shock cord after 20 years and keep going.

Honestly? I think I'd try good old Camp Dry... on a test spot first.

I am very glad to see a solution to this problem.
I had the sticky tent syndrome last summer. My old Sierra Design backpacking tent rain-fly was super tacky. I left it hanging in my garage for several days thinking it would fix itself. But it was still sticky. It looked fine though. So, 2nd night in the BW it started to rain.... about an hour later my wife says to me, "Something is dripping on me." I shine the flashlight up through the screen ceiling and see that the rain-fly is starting to leak and drip on us. We laid our rain gear over our sleeping bags and went back to sleep. The next night I moved the tarp so it was over our tent.