# Waterproof a backyard rope hammock? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 17, 2003, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterproof-a-backyard-rope-hammock/162133 "2003-03-17T23:05:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ClawsOfCatt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/87869e/32.png) [@ClawsOfCatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ClawsOfCatt)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterproof-a-backyard-rope-hammock/162133/1 "2003-03-17T23:05:42Z")
Should I waterproof a rope hammock for backyard use? I bought it in the winter when it was on sale, and the instructions are long gone. If I should waterproof it, what should I use? Thanks all. ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterproof-a-backyard-rope-hammock/162133/2 "2003-03-17T23:31:10Z")
What kind of rope? Synthetic or natural? If synthetic the biggest risk it UV damage from the sun. I’d just make sure it dries out if it does get wet and take it in during storm season. ---
**Author:** ![ClawsOfCatt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/87869e/32.png) [@ClawsOfCatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ClawsOfCatt)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterproof-a-backyard-rope-hammock/162133/3 "2003-03-17T23:43:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Padeye \* > \*\*What kind of rope? Synthetic or natural? If synthetic the biggest risk it UV damage from the sun. I’d just make sure it dries out if it does get wet and take it in during storm season. \*\* **Padeye** it looks and feels just like plain old rope rope. Not nylon or anything. ---
**Author:** ![ClawsOfCatt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/87869e/32.png) [@ClawsOfCatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ClawsOfCatt)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterproof-a-backyard-rope-hammock/162133/4 "2003-03-19T18:24:18Z")
Anyone? … Buehler? ---
**Author:** ![In\_Conceivable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/4bbf92/32.png) [@In\_Conceivable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/In_Conceivable)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterproof-a-backyard-rope-hammock/162133/5 "2003-03-19T18:29:36Z")
I have a rope hammock that has never (to my knowledge) been waterproofed. It has been in the back yard for about 8 years now and other then being a little bit dingy the rope is fine. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterproof-a-backyard-rope-hammock/162133/6 "2003-03-19T18:41:59Z")
If you do decide to waterproof it, use “CampDry”. It comes in a spray can and works pretty well. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterproof-a-backyard-rope-hammock/162133/7 "2003-03-20T12:58:09Z")
According to Practical Sailor magazine, sunscreen can be applied to rope and bungee cords to ward off UV damage. So far, testing has been in very small batches, so PS can’t say for sure how effective it is. ---
**Author:** ![Algernon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a183cd/32.png) [@Algernon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algernon)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterproof-a-backyard-rope-hammock/162133/8 "2003-03-20T13:50:16Z")
**ClawsOfCatt** , I have a backyard rope hammock. I do not believe it is waterproofed. I haven’t treated it, but for all I know it could have been treated during the manufacturing process. It remains outside 6-7 months a year. After 5 years I haven’t noticed any problem with the rope. The wooden cross-pieces at the head and foot need to be refinished though. And I’ve de-rusted the metal frame and repainted it once. ---
**Author:** ![Decaturpen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c4cdca/32.png) [@Decaturpen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Decaturpen)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterproof-a-backyard-rope-hammock/162133/9 "2018-06-06T01:26:24Z")
I have a cotton rope hammock, the first one rotted after being outside for a year, in Atlanta, if the climate makes a difference. I now have a new one, and do not want to bring it inside every day to avoid rain. I want to waterproof it. ---
**Author:** ![cornflakes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@cornflakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornflakes)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterproof-a-backyard-rope-hammock/162133/10 "2018-06-06T02:26:24Z")
I’d call or chat with Nixwax and see what they recommend. My guess is that [Nixwax Tent and Gear Solarproof](http://www.nikwax.com/en-us/products/productdetail.php?productid=695&itemid=3&fabricid=1187) would be perfect for this, but their suggestion would be definitive. ---
**Author:** ![Lasciel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e79b87/32.png) [@Lasciel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lasciel)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterproof-a-backyard-rope-hammock/162133/11 "2018-06-06T02:57:49Z")
If you need to know whether the rope is natural or plastic you can do a burn test if you’ve got an available loose end to burn. Plastic will turn bubbly and hard (and black) and cotton/hemp will turn soft and powdery (and black). Can you hang an awning over the hammock to keep it out of direct sun/rain? My grandmother kept her very expensive Pawley’s Island cotton rope hammock in a ‘coat’ closet beside her porch and part of using the hammock was the dragging it out and then putting it back away process. That hammock lasted a good twenty years of regular summer use by scads of grandkids and relatives. ---
**Author:** ![cornflakes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@cornflakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornflakes)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterproof-a-backyard-rope-hammock/162133/12 "2018-06-06T03:37:10Z")
(This is a resurrected zombie thread. The person posting today already knows that their hammock is made of cotton.)