Nikwax Tent & Gear SolarProof® Spray is a water-based, liquid treatment that protects synthetic fabrics from UV damage and restores DWR coatings so your expensive outdoor gear remains strong, waterproof, and reliable for years to come.
In this blog, we’re doing a deep-dive into what Nikwax Tent & Gear SolarProof® spray is, which gear you should (and shouldn’t) treat with it, and how to use it.
By the end of this article, you’ll understand not just why your gear is at risk of UV damage, how this product works, and the simple steps to apply it.
What is Nikwax Tent & Gear SolarProof® Spray for?
You might think your tarp, tent, or backpack is built to handle harsh wilderness environments. Outdoor gear is designed to be used outdoors, isn’t it?
Well, you’re not wrong…. But that doesn’t mean that it’s a walk in the park.
You see, when you’re out in nature, your gear is constantly battling the elements. Sun, rain, abrasion..
Day by day, these elements begin to reduce the effectiveness of your outdoor equipment, gradually weakening your gear long before you notice any visible signs of damage.
No matter how tough the fabric is, sun, rain, and dirt can all take a toll over time. And if you let that go unchecked, your precious weatherproof gear (that you spent hundreds of your hard earned dollars on) ends up leaking in a downpour, or tears under strain.
Luckily, there’s a way to prevent this slow-motion disaster, and it’s called Nikwax Tent & Gear SolarProof® Spray.
What is Nikwax Tent & Gear SolarProof® Spray?
Nikwax Tent & Gear SolarProof® Spray is a water-based, liquid treatment that protects synthetic fabrics from UV damage and restores DWR coatings so your expensive outdoor gear remains strong, waterproof, and reliable for years to come.
This treatment has two main benefits:
Benefit #1: Increased protection against UV exposure.
With each exposure to sunlight, invisible structural weaknesses develop in the fabric. This process is called photodegradation, and over time the fabric will become faded, brittle and susceptible to tearing under stress.
Photodegradation happens much faster than you might expect, and just two weeks of daily UV exposure can cut fabric strength in half, causing it to lose up to 50% of its original strength.
Things get worse in high-altitude environments because UV radiation increases by about 2% with every 200 metres of elevation gain.
And once UV damage occurs, the chemical changes in the fabric are permanent – it cannot be reversed. This is why preventative treatment is so vital.
Nikwax Tent & Gear SolarProof® Spray is formulated with advanced UV inhibitors that absorb and deflect the harsh ultraviolet rays that cause synthetic materials to weaken, fade, and deteriorate over time.
You can think of it as a kind of ‘sunscreen’ for your outdoor gear. When you apply Nikwax Tent & Gear SolarProof® Spray to your gear, it forms a protective coating that acts as a shield, intercepting harmful UV radiation before it can penetrate and damage the fabric.
This prevents the fabric from becoming brittle and ensures it retains its flexibility and strength, effectively doubling the lifespan of your gear.
Benefit #2: Restores and enhances DWR waterproof coatings
It’s not just sunlight that damages your gear: water exposure causes another set of problems to contend with.
New weather-resistant outdoor equipment such as tents, tarps or awnings come pre-treated with a durable waterproof repellent (DWR) coating that causes water to bead and roll off the surface.
However, this coating wears off with use, and eventually the water starts soaking into the fabric instead of rolling off. When this happens, it takes much longer for your gear to dry off, which can contribute to mold and mildew growth and even cause the inner coating of the fabric to degrade.
If you’ve done much camping or backpacking, then you’ve probably packed your tent away while it was still damp. Sometimes you just don’t have a choice.
But when your outdoor gear gets damp and stays damp, it also creates the perfect conditions for something called hydrolysis to occur.
Hydrolysis is a chemical process where water molecules actually attack and break down the chemical bonds in synthetic fabrics, particularly in waterproof membranes like polyurethane (PU) coatings.
Nikwax Tent & Gear SolarProof® Spray restores and enhances the durable water repellent (DWR) coating on your outdoor gear, so water beads up and rolls off the fabric’s surface rather than soaking in.
Unlike many traditional waterproofing treatments that rely on harmful chemical solvents, Nikwax SolarProof® Spray uses a safe, water-based formula that's free from volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and per- and polyfluorinated compounds (PFCs).
This means the treatment provides superior waterproof protection without leaving persistent chemicals in the environment – or in your body.
But SolarProof® doesn’t just repel surface water. It also actively creates a protective barrier that shields the vulnerable polyurethane layer from excessive moisture exposure. This means that even if the fabric does get wet, the enhanced water repellency helps it dry out again more quickly.
This significantly reduces the chances of water damage (hydrolysis) occurring, so your gear continues to perform as it should for longer.
Why should you use Nikwax Tent & Gear SolarProof® Spray?
The short answer? Replacing outdoor gear is expensive. Protecting it is easy.
The long answer? Well…
Quality outdoor equipment and camping gear often cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. UV and water damage are two of the top reasons gear wears out.
You might notice this degradation for months or even years, but it is happening. If you don’t do anything to stop that, eventually the real damage will become apparent.
And when it does, there’s nothing you can do to fix it.
But by spending a relatively small amount on maintenance, you can dramatically extend the life of your expensive equipment.
Outdoor gear isn’t cheap. Regular treatment with a protective product like Nikwax Tent & Gear SolarProof® Spray extends its lifespan, saving you money in the long run.
What gear can you use Nikwax Tent & Gear SolarProof® Spray on?
Nikwax Tent & Gear SolarProof® Spray is suitable for any weather-resistant outdoor gear made from synthetic fibres like nylon and polyester.
SolarProof® was developed with tents and backpacks in mind, but it is suitable for any outdoor equipment made from synthetic materials. This could include:
- Tents
- Tarps
- Bivy bags
- Backpacks
- Bike panniers
- Umbrellas
- Outdoor furniture
- Awnings, sun shades & canopies
- Boat, car or motorcycle covers
Nikwax Tent & Gear SolarProof® Spray is NOT recommended for performance fabrics that utilise a waterproof membrane (like Gore-Tex, eVent, Nanopore™, etc.), or for natural fibers like cotton or canvas. These fabrics should be cleaned with a suitable water-based technical wash, such as Nikwax Tech Wash®.
How to use Nikwax Tent & Gear SolarProof® Spray?
A huge advantage of Nikwax Tent & Gear SolarProof® Spray is that it’s so easy and safe to use. It can be applied to wet or dry fabric, and there is no heat-activation required.
Here’s what to do:
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Start with clean gear. For the best results, apply directly on new gear before you’ve used it. If your gear isn’t brand new, use a suitable outdoor gear cleaning product such as Nikwax Tent & Gear SolarWash® to remove dirt and grime. No need to dry the item before applying the waterproofing treatment.
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Prepare your cleaning station. Find a suitable place and add protection to the area if needed. We recommend doing this outside, and putting out an old sheet or big piece of plastic to work on top of.
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Lay your gear out flat. If you’re treating a tent, then set it up so the fabric is taut.
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Apply Spray Nikwax Tent & Gear SolarProof® evenly. Make sure you cover the entire outer surface of the fabric, using approximately 50 ml per 1m².
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Leave it to absorb for 2 minutes, then wipe off excess product. Use this time to check for any spots you’ve missed. Reapply the product to these areas if needed.
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Allow your gear dry fully before packing it away. The treatment’s protection develops as the fabric dries, so give it plenty of time to dry out completely to get the best results. No heat activation needed!
For maximum effectiveness, we recommend applying Nikwax Tent & Gear SolarProof® to new equipment before its first use.
Like any product or treatment you plan on using on your outdoor gear, it's wise to test on a small, inconspicuous area first.
And just in case you missed it when we said it before, Nikwax Tent & Gear SolarProof® Spray is compatible with synthetic fabrics like nylon and polyester, both coated and uncoated. It is NOT suitable for fabrics like Gore-Tex or eVent, or with natural materials like cotton.
To maintain long-lasting protection, regularly clean your gear with a suitable product, such as Nikwax Tent & Gear SolarWash®. Avoid using standard laundry products as they contain harsh detergents that strip away waterproof coatings and damage the fabric.
How often should you apply Nikwax SolarProof® Spray?
How often you should apply Nikwax Tent & Gear SolarProof® Spray depends on how often you use your gear and the conditions it faces.
Long-term, extended trips (bikepacking, thru-hiking, daily use for weeks at a time)
If you’re on an extended expedition such as a thru-hike or bikepacking trip where your gear will be exposed to the elements every day for weeks (or months) at a time, then your gear is going to take a beating, no matter what. Definitely apply SolarProof® Spray to your gear before you leave, and try to reapply every 2-3 months whenever possible. Have fun out there!
Gear you use regularly (multiple times a month):
For high-use items such as tents, tarps or backpacks that use multiple times a month, we recommend reapplying SolarProof® Spray every 4 to 6 months during the active season. It’s better to treat your gear BEFORE you go on a longer trip, rather than after, so keep that in mind when you’re timing your treatments.
Gear you use sometimes (a few times a year):
If you’re using your gear for the odd family camping trip or occasional weekend away, then you only need to use SolarProof® Spray annually. We’d recommend using it to treat the relevant gear at the start of the season, before your first trip.
Signs you need to reapply:
The most obvious sign that your gear will benefit from a ‘top up’ treatment is if water no longer beads up and rolls off the surface of the fabric. You can test this out at home before you go on a trip, and reapply if it seems like the fabric is absorbing moisture, rather than repelling it.
It's better to treat proactively rather than waiting until water repellency fails or UV damage becomes visible. The key is to maintain consistent protection before your gear shows signs of deterioration.
Is Nikwax Tent & Gear SolarProof® Spray worth it?
To answer this question, we’re going to ask you a question:
Have you recently bought a new tent, tarp, awning or some other expensive outdoor gear?
Because if you’ve just spent more on new gear than you did on your first car (okay, maybe not, but it felt like it), then we have a hard truth coming your way.
We’ve met a lot of people who happily drop a few hundred (or thousand) dollars on shiny new outdoor gear, only to get stingy about buying a $35 treatment spray.
Full disclosure, we’ve been that person, too. Standing in our local outdoor store after buying an $800 tent, staring at a $35 bottle of Nikwax protection like it's asking for our firstborn child. It’s like buying a Ferrari and then refusing to change the oil because "it's too expensive".
So we did the math.
One 500ml bottle of Nikwax Tent & Gear SolarProof® Spray contains enough treatment for 10m² of fabric. The average 2-person tent has a fly (the outer waterproof layer of fabric) that is about 3m², give or take. That means you’ll get approximately 3 x 2-person tents-worth of use from one bottle.
That $35 protection could literally double the lifespan of your gear, but even if the protection extends the tent's life by even 10%, it's already a worthwhile investment.
