Water proofing a tent that is not waterproof?

[Roy Wilson]

A tent that requires use of a rain cover, which I can't stand having to put on my tent. Is there any sort of spray that can be applied to the tents material to make it waterproof? Back in the day, I seem to recall there was spray you could apply to boots that would make the waterproof. Is there such a spray for tents?

 

[smritte]

Scotchgard is what comes to mind right off the bat. There could be better things out there.
The top of the tent is designed to breathe. The fly is made of a denser material that's already somewhat water proof. Some moisture would go through the tent top. Waterproofing it will not let it out.
I would spray it on the outside of my tent every year, especially the floor. The spray wears off over time. I didn't notice a difference on the amount of trapped moisture. I'm sure it was worse.
I never sprayed it on my RTT. I have read where others did.

 

[F Clayton]

Does this really work? Making that NOT waterproof tent, completely waterproof against rain?

 

[Todd C]

Doesn't a tent need to breath? And if you spray that coating on it, won't it cause it to get mildew?