We know for a fact the Romans used leather tents. The argument can be made that they had linen too, but
the evidence says leather. That said a leather tent runs 2000-3000 dollars and many man hours to reproduce. The
Panther primitives Papilio is the right dimensions, but comes in white canvas or a "tan" color that looks just a little too
light.
Then Leg IX had a disaster and red dye from corinthian crests messed up some tents... the result? Well they
decided they might as well paint them. Credit to Hibernicus for the testing and basic formula using the water based
stain.
Here is what we did/are doing to do our 10 tents in Legio VI.
First we Built a 2*4 Painting Jig to throw the tent over to minimize set up. If you are just doing one
tent, it may be easier just to set it up.
To the store. We went on Hib's estimate of 1 quart of stain to 3 quarts of water and it seemed to cover
well with 2-3 coats. Minwax Water Based Wood Stain, Rosewood color (a shade darker than hib's). $8.86 a quart
SKU 2742661804 Available at Lowes and True Value et al. Shake the can well before you mix it, and the use the can to
pour the water in the 5 Gallon bucket so you get all the pigment. Stir well.
We purchased a automotive spray gun (Task Force Brand) set from Lowes ($50) and we already had the compressor
to run it.
We used a 5 gallon bucket to mix about 2-3 cans of stain at a time. Bucket cost was about $7
Tent was set on the jig (note that the jig intentionally keeps the bottom edge of the tent off the ground, this
was so we could get the bottom edge better)
We used the spray gun and plain water to mist over the tent.
We then did the first coat. Don't panic, it looks like crap. move the spray gun back and forthslowly,
about 20-30 seconds to do one pass over the tent (NOT inlcuding the ends/Doors), and only try to cover about 6 inches per
"row". The first coat may have heavier "lines", but the second coat will kill them with a little bit of offset.
Allow it to dry to the touch, then do a second thicker coat. When done with the thicker coat, you can again
mist with water and areas that dripped or ran to spread out the stain and avoid bad spots.
Third "coat" is really more of a search for light spots. Follow it with a heavy mist coat, as the stain
is still moist enought to sink in a bit more, and the water will spread it out evenly.
Final finish does not look perfect, but it does look like Dan Peterson's leather tents, which have white spots,
creases, oil spots, etc etc etc. I may experiment with brown lines later to create a panel look, I think I can make
a jig for it that will be easy to use.
The completed tent is one of our $20 Uglo-papilios that we made here (got a deal on some mislabeled canvas tarps
from Harbor freight... thus the $20 price tag). You can see the rip in it that I will repair while I have it up.
The tent in the background is a panther, and has two coats. A note here, the panther being a brighter white
may take 4 coats, I think this is the one tnet that used to have aftermarket water repellent too. I will document the
others as I do them.
The inside of the tent will have to be done seperate if you want to do it. I know we use the centurio tent
as a showpiece, so it will have to be done inside and out. Double your estimates as for stain as the bleed thru is not
complete. Probably need two coats inside.
I found it took more like 2 quarts of the Minwax Water based dye per tent, but I may be applying it heavier than
Leg IX did.
Took about 2 hours to complete the tent. (outside only)
A note on color. I think you want to use the red maple or rosewood, as the final color from those two looks
more like leather than the darker stains available. If you want to darken it up, you may mix like three quarts at a
time and make one the black walnut, but I think the redder colors look outstanding. I was surprised when I was done.
More photos to follow.
