How to darken a camping tent?
December 29th, 2010 | by admin |My boyfriend and I got a new tent because in 9 days we’re going on a weekend camping trip. Neither of us sleep very well in places that aren’t dark. The tent we purchased is a Coleman Weathermaster 6 and it is beige and tan, very light colors. I am wondering if anyone might have any ideas how we might make the part we’re sleeping in darker.
I want to darken it for the morning, I’m not worried about it being dark at night, lol.
9 Responses to “How to darken a camping tent?”
By KLEPTIC-SY on Dec 29, 2010 | Reply
how about instead of trying to make the tent darker… wear those eye covers… to make things darker…
http://www.dreamessentials.com/a_intro_eye_masks.aspx?gclid=CIiz7cSglZ0CFado5QodsCA53A
By Angi on Dec 29, 2010 | Reply
spray pain the out side of it… black, grey, what ever you prefer just make sure you do it at least a week or so before you decide to go camping again to it can get a chance to dry and air out, make sure you use an appropriate type of spray paint for fabricks!
By BeachBum818 on Dec 29, 2010 | Reply
The tent will be dark regardless of color if you are in the middle of the woods. It`ll be a different story if you are in a campsite that has the floodlights or other lighting, but in the woods you wont be able to see your hand in front of your face.
By Josh on Dec 29, 2010 | Reply
if you are in the woods it will be very dark. if not put a dark blue or gray tarp over it
By jonal on Dec 29, 2010 | Reply
Don’t paint it! The only stuff to put on a Coleman is new waterproofing and with decent care it’ll be a lot of years before it needs that.
I’ve got 3 Colemans for different uses, all years old. Still geat.
For daytime darkening and helping to get rid of an unwanted shadow theatre for passers by when the tent is brighter inside than out, curtains are easy to make for a tent.
You can get dark-coloured material,very lightweight and folds very small, from loads of places. Makes good curtains.Market stalls are often a good source.
Small pieces of sticky-back Velcro on the tent and the curtain fix it easy, or put up a line and fix the curtain with pegs. A line both sides lets you have two sides and a roof covered with one piece of material by just hanging the material over them, no fixing required.
Like an Arabian Nights tent. Posh curtains inside. Nice.
By u know u want me on Dec 29, 2010 | Reply
go to sleep later it would be darker ya know… anyway look at mine i want u to answer my question thx!!♥ http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090928142236AAVDc40
By Joseph S on Dec 29, 2010 | Reply
I’ve experienced this exact situation.
I found a 2-man tent that was well built and had some awesome design features that I couldn’t pass up. Problem was the color. They were very light, and frankly, kinda “gay” looking.
I hate it when a bright moonbeam peeks through the trees in the forest and illuminates my tent through the fabric.
Here’s what I did:
1. Died the rain fly with Olive Green RIT fabric dye (a non-gay color)
2. Spray painted desired patterns using a non-enamel paint
3. Let it set and cure a couple days
4. Packed it away and took it right back out
5. Doused it with a few cans of sealer
6. Let it set a couple more days outside to air out
7. Packed it away.
That was more than 10 years ago. It’s never leaked and stays REALLY dark!
By David H on Dec 29, 2010 | Reply
eye shades or masks are the most compact and affordable way to keep it dark for you while you are sleeping. you can also use one of those silver colores tarps suspended over your tent to make it darker.
By Kevin Y. on Dec 29, 2010 | Reply
Oh, my! Do not dye or paint your tent. It will mess up the waterproof coating not to mention make your nice, new tent look like crap. I love camping but I’m a very fussy sleeper. I am willing to carry the extra weight of a therm-a-rest pillow so I can get a comfy sleep. Instead of carrying the eye cover with me (which often come off) I just bring my stocking cap. I roll it down over my eyes and it works like a charm. I also wear ear plugs. If you don’t want to get up with the birds at dawn these are a good idea.