O/S maps and how not to ruin them

[The Other PaulG]

About 15 years ago I used to do a lot of running in generally boggy weather on Dark Peak.

A mate recommended that I use solid Nikwax and rub it on both sides of the map.

Sounded like a strange idea, but his experience was second to none so I did it. Water ran off the map beautifully - and still does, I still have it.

I'm not sure whether you could mark the map... that wasn't an option for me at the time...

Paul G

 

[Eyewitness]

I get mine covered with Aquatech:

http://www.aqua3.com


Cheers,
Terry

 

[squid]

About 15 years ago I used to do a lot of running in generally boggy weather on Dark Peak.

A mate recommended that I use solid Nikwax and rub it on both sides of the map.

Sounded like a strange idea, but his experience was second to none so I did it. Water ran off the map beautifully - and still does, I still have it.

I'm not sure whether you could mark the map... that wasn't an option for me at the time...

Paul G

That sounds like an idea to extend the life f maps already purchased and marked. Not sure hwat sold nikwax is though, will have to look it up. Going on this line I wonder if it would ruin a map if sprayed with a waterproofer.

 

[squid]

I get mine covered with Aquatech:

http://www.aqua3.com


Cheers,
Terry

Not cheap but looks a good way to sort a map that has taken effort to prepare and will get used often

How thick are they after the coating is applied, still fold easily?

 

[The Other PaulG]

That sounds like an idea to extend the life f maps already purchased and marked. Not sure hwat sold nikwax is though, will have to look it up. Going on this line I wonder if it would ruin a map if sprayed with a waterproofer.

Nikwax is a waterproofing compound (silicon based??)

It comes in different forms, a spray (which you'd use on a textile jacket for instance) or you can get a tin of it which looks like dubbin. It's the tin that you need, you use a cloth to rub that onto both sides of the map ... it does a surprisingly good job, you can hold a map under a running tap and the water just beads and runs off.

 

[Deleted account AWRT]

As previously discussed use Fablon (sticky back clear plastic). However chinagraph pens leave a mess, so use a permanent marker, (lumipen) then when you have finished remove with a can of deodorant or hairspray. Trust me the military have been doing it for years (the real ones not these flyboys)

 

[Whele]

oy wat you doing in little Wittenham, thats my patch

 

[Greg Masters]

oy wat you doing in little Wittenham, thats my patch

Ummmm.....

 

[Eyewitness]

Not cheap but looks a good way to sort a map that has taken effort to prepare and will get used often

How thick are they after the coating is applied, still fold easily?

They're probably about double the thickness but still fold easily. I've had quite a few done in the past, especially hard to get hold of foreign maps.

cheers,
Terry

 

[andyclift]

Not only does the maps still fold easily with Fablon but it strengthens the folds so the maps don't tear and wear.

 

[marky309]

im with bladerunner

if you use fablon then your laughing. if you cant be bothered, use permanent lumoclour pens over a waterproof sheet.

get yourself down to boots or superdrug and buy a wee tub of nail varnish remover pads, cost about 2 quid and will last for ages. they will get rid of any permanent pen you can find.

just spent 7 months in afghan and used these every day. sounds daft asking mum to send a soldier nail varnish remover in afghanistan but believe me mate they are the way forward.

 

[Popell]

PaulG (alt) suggested Nikwax - there is actually a Nikwax product for spraying onto paper maps to afford some proofing, it is listed in their brochure that I grabbed a copy of a couple of days ago and I noticed the info on the solution to your problems but as it was not what I was after I did not note the name of it, sorry. Google is your friend