Rewaxing a Waxed Canvas Tote Bag Waxed canvas tote bags are a great adventure companion. Owing to their heavy-duty design, they remain least affected by all sorts of rough treatment during an outdoor or adventure activity. Moreover, the marks and scuffs they pick up along the way simply add to their character (read: beauty). While waxed canvas totes are quite functional and durable, the wax coating on the bag may get thinner with time. With continued use, you may also observe several sections on the bag that are no longer waterproof. Thankfully, you can easily restore the functionality and look of your waxed canvas tote by rewaxing it. The good news is that rewaxing a waxed canvas bag is not at all a complicated process and with the right kind of supplies at hand, you can perform this task like a pro. But, before getting into the details of this process, let’s first get familiar with waxed canvas.
What’s Waxed Canvas? It is basically a densely woven cotton fabric, saturated with wax to give it an additional layer of protection against different elements. Waxed canvas is largely known for its strength, durability, natural water-resistance, and rugged feel and look. The wax coating of canvas fabric are made of either a beeswax or paraffin that takes up creases and folds that offer a weathered texture over time. The quality and durability of waxed canvas is determined by the thickness of the fibre, the type of wax and weave density. A key feature of wax canvas is its water-resistance. This fabric usually repels rain and moisture, but if it's immersed in water for long, the fabric may eventually absorb the water. Waxed canvas large tote bags and accessories repel and wick moister while keeping you and your stuff dry.
Things You May Need to Rewax Your Waxed Canvas Tote Basic materials you will require to carry out the rewaxing process are as follows:
Lint Roller Hair Dryer Canvas Wax Used Canvas Bag, which has partially or completely lost its wax coating
Steps to Rewax Your Waxed Canvas Tote Bags Rewaxing a waxed canvas tote bag can be done in these three easy steps: 1. Cleaning the Bag: The existing wax on the bag cover everything on the bag, hence it should be cleaned and dried in the first place. Never wash a waxed canvas bag in a washing machine or use detergents to clean them. Using a bush with bristles, gently scrub off any dirt or mud on the bag. If required, use cold water to remove dirt, but without detergent or soap. Dry the canvas bag using a clean piece of cloth or soft towel. Never dry the canvas item inside a dryer. Finally, use a lint roller to remove any dust particle or string on the canvas.
2. Rewaxing the Bag: Once the surface of the canvas bag is clean and dry, use a blow dryer to warm the surface of your waxed canvas tote bag. This will let the wax to spread over the surface evenly and smoothly. While rewaxing, it’s not necessary to wax the whole surface of the bag. Depending on the requirement or the condition of the bag, you can either rewax the entire bag surface or just treat some specific areas, such as creases, seams, or high-flex regions. Rub the wax on the bag’s surface as you do with a soap bar, making wide, uniform strokes. The friction and pressure due to rubbing will heat up the wax, causing it to transfer and spread on the fabric easily. Make use of the edges and corners of the wax bar to cover crevices and the areas around leather, rivets, and metallic elements. You can also use your fingers to get the wax into the canvas. Thereafter, using a blow dryer, steadily and uniformly reheat the canvas. Further, you can use your hands to force the wax into the canvas, so that it penetrates the fabric deeply. 3. Curing the Rewaxed Bag: Once the rewaxing process is over, hang your waxed canvas tote in sunlight. You can also hang your bag in a dry, warm area, if direct sunlight is not available. Let the rewaxed canvas bag to cure and dry for 24-48 hours. Waxed canvas tote bags are designed to perform in harsh environments, but with continued, rigorous use, it’s quite obvious for the bag to lose its water-resistant wax coating. Using the materials and following the steps above, you can easily bring back the sheen, functionality, and look of your waxed canvas tote bags. If you are recently planning to buy waxed canvas bags in Australia online, for personal or professional reasons, it is recommended to choose a reputable online retailer that specialises in waxed canvas supplies and accessories.