WhiteBlaze Pages 2024
A Complete Appalachian Trail Guidebook.
AVAILABLE NOW. $4 for interactive PDF(smartphone version)
Read more here WhiteBlaze Pages Store

Results 1 to 6 of 6
  1. #1
    Registered User
    Join Date
    09-12-2006
    Location
    York, PA
    Age
    56
    Posts
    23

    Default Silicone sealing and taping seams??

    I am planning to make a tarp with some nylon I got a WalMart. It is not the slippery silny. It seems pretty water repellant though. I heard there is a way to mix up a homebrew of silicone and mineral spirits to coat the material with. What is that recipe? Where do you buy silicone? The only silicone I know of is RTV?

    Next how do you tape the seams so they don't leak. I read something about gluing strips of nylon over the seam on the inside.

    I have search this forum several times for these topics but I can't find them now. Thanks for your help!!!

  2. #2

  3. #3
    Registered User headchange4u's Avatar
    Join Date
    01-19-2006
    Location
    Richmond, Kentucky
    Age
    47
    Posts
    353
    Images
    9

    Default

    I asked the question about taping seams a while back. There is seam tape out there, but it require heat to get it to bond to the fabric. Sounds like more trouble than it is worth.
    "For those who understand, no explanation is needed; for those who do not, none will do." ---Jerry Lewis

  4. #4
    Registered User hammock engineer's Avatar
    Join Date
    10-27-2005
    Location
    New Orleans, LA
    Age
    45
    Posts
    2,079

    Default

    I think www.owfinc.com has seam tape. I've called and ordered from them a few times. They are really helpful. If the material is waterproof sil-nylon seam taping may not be needed. I never made a tarp. My McCat tarp that I have is only seam sealed. It has never leaked and is my favorite piece of gear.

    Risk also talks about seam sealing on his website. www.imrisk.com

  5. #5
    Registered User
    Join Date
    06-12-2006
    Location
    northern illinois
    Posts
    4,532
    Images
    2

    Default

    silicone formula that I havbe used:

    3 parts 100 percent parafin oil used in oil lamps to 1 part silicone.

    Always pretest for adhesion on a small piece of the material you are using. All fabrics are NOT alike. Coating may vary from one supplier to the next.

  6. #6
    Registered User
    Join Date
    09-27-2006
    Location
    east tennessee
    Posts
    39

    Default

    OK, here's my two cents worth. If it isn't the Silnylon, why are you worried about using Silicone? Just use a seam sealer for regular p/u coated products. When I made my Ray-Way tarp out of sil-nylon, I just followed the directions in the book and smeared on pure silicone in a thin layer over the seam. Never have had a leak.
    Last edited by bubba295; 11-15-2006 at 14:45. Reason: spell check

++ New Posts ++

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •