waterproofing a hammock

[peeejaydeee]

how can i protect the decorative knotted rope on my garden hammock? I ll be leaving it outside throughout the summer

[stanleyman]

If you leave anything out in the weather it will be affected and will eventually deteriorate. It depends on the material but washing the rope regularly will keep dirt out.

[WendyS]

I presume this is the rope coming down from the top fixing down to the seat part? If the ropes are straight without any knotted interruptions, if you can find some clear thin plastic tubing with a diameter sufficient to enclose the rope, slit the tubing from top to bottom , ease it open and then insert the rope in and allow the tubing to tighten back down the rope. This will keep it mainly clean and waterproofed. Probably the best place to find this kind of tubing is in B & Q or possibly a builders merchant. Alternatively, a large sheet of clear polythene sheeting, cut into long strips and wound round the rope rather like a bandage would also protect it. Let's hope you get enough sun this summer to be able to use your hammock !!

[heathfield]

Apply a generous amount of waterproofing - the stuff you get in spray cans in camping and climbing shops. I have even used Thompson's Water Seal successfully in the past, though it'll smell of paraffin until it fully dries out. Flood it on. It'll take a couple of days before it's really dry. Waterproofing will help stop water getting into the inside of the rope, and maybe starting up rot.