We needed to waterproof a canvas satchel for my daughter going to Alaska where she was told there was the snowy season and the rainy season. I looked up some information and thought I'd simplify the directions and through some pictures with it.
First, using 1 part Paraffin Wax and 1 part Beeswax, melt them together. We're using a Chocolate melter, but it can be done with a double boiler as well. We followed the directions for 4 oz each type of wax and it was way more than we needed. Maybe 2.5 oz each (maybe 3) would have been plenty for the bag we were waterproofing.
After the wax was melted, we used a (new) cheap paintbrush to paint the wax onto the bag.
As you can see, the wax begins to harden and turn white as it cools. Not a problem.
Using a hairdryer (yes, this one is very old), you melt the wax into the fabric. It does change the texture of the fabric (slightly in our case), and the weight of the bag since you are adding wax.
You can see in these pictures the wax disappearing - melting into the fabric.
When I had thoroughly coated and melted the wax in, we tested it for waterproofness. The wax could not penetrate the holes between the zipper teeth (obviously), nor the opening between the straps and the front flap (another "obviously"), but the canvas fabric was not penetrated.
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