Pennsic Prep for the clinically insane
It is the 1st of July, so I officially have 26 days until we leave for Pennsic War XLI. It's always a rush to get ready, but this year doubly so! We are expanding our booth, since we've felt crowded the past couple of years. This means two tents (three, if you count the one we sleep in).
We've also had one heck of a year for weather... Our main business tent has gone through *TWO* tornadoes in the past year. One in Florida in January (near miss) and one in Hampton about a month ago (direct hit). So in addition to getting an additional new tent made, we're having to do repairs on the older one.
And those emergency repairs have served to point out to me just how much work the tent really needs. Not only am I repairing tears and punctures, but I've discovered just how many of the clips and ties are almost worn through, or barely hanging on by a thread. And I am reminded of how tattered the bottom edges have gotten.
So, I've spent the past week (one of the hottest in over a decade) cleaning the old tent, in preparation for serious overhauling. This has been a challenge. The old canvas has gotten so much grime ground into it, that even our old power washer wasn't doing much to cut it. I ended up getting some Penguin Sport Wash, which is designed to not ruin waterproofing, and giving the tent a run through the wash at my local laundromat. (50lb. machine for the roof, two walls each in a pair of 30lb. machines). It got rid of some of the dirt and loosened up the rest enough that the power washer is now doing great.
I've also been cleaning out the basement, to set up a large work area for the big canvas. Once the canvas is clean, I can get the repairs done. I've gotten new strapping and ties, and some decorative blue canvas to replace the tattered bottom, and new grommets.
*sigh*
All that repair work, and also a second tent to make! In 26 days! And after repairing the old tent, I need to set it up and test the waterproofing. I have Canvak to redo any leaky bits, seam sealer, and finally, Concrobium to give the whole thing a protective coat of prevent-future-green-fuzzies. I'm insane!
But at least I've already gotten started. One wall is clean, and I'm plowing through the roof cleaning today. The wall repairs should fly through fairly quickly. The new walls will take a bit longer. It's the roof work, old and new, that is the most difficult and time-consuming.
I guess I better get back to it.
We've also had one heck of a year for weather... Our main business tent has gone through *TWO* tornadoes in the past year. One in Florida in January (near miss) and one in Hampton about a month ago (direct hit). So in addition to getting an additional new tent made, we're having to do repairs on the older one.
And those emergency repairs have served to point out to me just how much work the tent really needs. Not only am I repairing tears and punctures, but I've discovered just how many of the clips and ties are almost worn through, or barely hanging on by a thread. And I am reminded of how tattered the bottom edges have gotten.
So, I've spent the past week (one of the hottest in over a decade) cleaning the old tent, in preparation for serious overhauling. This has been a challenge. The old canvas has gotten so much grime ground into it, that even our old power washer wasn't doing much to cut it. I ended up getting some Penguin Sport Wash, which is designed to not ruin waterproofing, and giving the tent a run through the wash at my local laundromat. (50lb. machine for the roof, two walls each in a pair of 30lb. machines). It got rid of some of the dirt and loosened up the rest enough that the power washer is now doing great.
I've also been cleaning out the basement, to set up a large work area for the big canvas. Once the canvas is clean, I can get the repairs done. I've gotten new strapping and ties, and some decorative blue canvas to replace the tattered bottom, and new grommets.
*sigh*
All that repair work, and also a second tent to make! In 26 days! And after repairing the old tent, I need to set it up and test the waterproofing. I have Canvak to redo any leaky bits, seam sealer, and finally, Concrobium to give the whole thing a protective coat of prevent-future-green-fuzzies. I'm insane!
But at least I've already gotten started. One wall is clean, and I'm plowing through the roof cleaning today. The wall repairs should fly through fairly quickly. The new walls will take a bit longer. It's the roof work, old and new, that is the most difficult and time-consuming.
I guess I better get back to it.