View Full Version : Let's talk tyvek
Chaco Taco
09-07-2009, 09:27
We are switching to a new tent and using tyvek as our ground cloth. So with tyvek, how can I get it to be less slippery when in contact with our tent? The tent floor slides around a bit. Can i crinckle the tyvek up to break it in a bit more?
warraghiyagey
09-07-2009, 09:55
We are switching to a new tent and using tyvek as our ground cloth. So with tyvek, how can I get it to be less slippery when in contact with our tent? The tent floor slides around a bit. Can i crinckle the tyvek up to break it in a bit more?
Jennfrick put grommets at the corners and then used hairties to attach to the tent poles, works great, groundcloth never slips . . .
Pedaling Fool
09-07-2009, 10:15
That's strange. When I first started the trail in 2006 I used Tyvek, because that's what everyone said to use, but soon realized that it was a waste of time. But I don't remember having that particular problem with it...:-? Maybe if you set up your tent on level ground:D BTW, I assume this happens when you'll are just sleeping in that tent:eek:
Run it through 2 wash cycles in your washing machine - no detergent and gentle cycle setting. Then air fluff it in the dryer. It'll be soft, less slippery and no crinkling noise.
BE CAREFUL! !!!!!
I learned a lesson once after putting my tyvek in a laundromat dryer on what I thought was "air dry". It melted!
You're do much better letting it air dry outside.
garlic08
09-07-2009, 10:43
I also figured out a few years ago that Tyvek is a waste of time and weight. Sorry it's not the answer to your question, but I also never had that issue back when I was a Tyvek user. I've been using the same silnylon floor without any ground cloth for my last 5000 trail miles and the floor is still intact--not a single visible puncture or tear. And I met Henry Shires last week, talked about this issue, and he agreed. He said he virtually never gets tents back for floor repair. I can understand wanting to protect your investment, and it was difficult for me, also, but this is really something that can be left at home.
Chaco Taco
09-07-2009, 11:13
I have an ultralight floor that is silnylon. I want something to protect the floor. I cant tie to tent poles, we have none. The stakes are further out from the corners.
I could see putting it in the washer. I could do it in a front loader and air dry.
Rocket Jones
09-07-2009, 11:18
According to one tyvek sheet spec sheet I saw, instead of grommets they recommend bunching the corner and using a sheet bend to tie a line to it. You could then run the line out to the tent stake.
They also recommend a couple of gentle cycles in the wash and air dry.
Chaco Taco
09-07-2009, 11:21
According to one tyvek sheet spec sheet I saw, instead of grommets they recommend bunching the corner and using a sheet bend to tie a line to it. You could then run the line out to the tent stake.
They also recommend a couple of gentle cycles in the wash and air dry.
Awesome, thanks
Thin some silicone caulk diluted 50:50 with mineral spirits and brush a few stripes on either the tyvek or the outside bottom of the tent floor.
MikenSalem
09-07-2009, 12:26
Most home dryers have a no heat setting, also if you throw in a pair of clean tennis shoes they'll help with the softening/wrinkling. I use it and it helps keep the bottom of my tent from being filthy. It just seems that once the bottom gets nasty the crud migrates all over the tent then into my sleeping bag....
warraghiyagey
09-07-2009, 18:49
BE CAREFUL! !!!!!
I learned a lesson once after putting my tyvek in a laundromat dryer on what I thought was "air dry". It melted!
You're do much better letting it air dry outside.
Then either it wasn't Tyvek or it wasn't a conventional laundromat there Einstein. . . .
Powder River
09-13-2009, 00:37
Duct tape wasn't holding that North Face together anymore?
Then either it wasn't Tyvek or it wasn't a conventional laundromat there Einstein. . . .
In Albert's defense, I will admit to cooking stuff at a public laundry facility.
I always feel the glass in the door, out of paranoia.
jasonklass
09-13-2009, 10:35
One caveat. I washed my Tyvek ground cloth and it did soften it up. The only problem was that it became somewhat fibrous. When I picked it up from the forest floor, all kinds of debris clung to it and was very difficult to remove. This made me give up on Tyvek.
Pedaling Fool
09-13-2009, 10:47
One caveat. I washed my Tyvek ground cloth and it did soften it up. The only problem was that it became somewhat fibrous. When I picked it up from the forest floor, all kinds of debris clung to it and was very difficult to remove. This made me give up on Tyvek.
Even if you don't wash it. I have a bunch laying around from a previous job I did on my house. I got some out the other day to lay over my garden and I had to unroll about 10 feet of it until I found some new looking stuff. The portion that was in contact with the ground had badly decomposed, showing many holes and a lot of fibers strung from the edges. A lot of bugs love that stuff.
One caveat. I washed my Tyvek ground cloth and it did soften it up. The only problem was that it became somewhat fibrous. When I picked it up from the forest floor, all kinds of debris clung to it and was very difficult to remove. This made me give up on Tyvek.
Thank you. Does it shake off when dry like poly, or do the fibers grab debris.
I have an ultralight floor that is silnylon. I want something to protect the floor. I cant tie to tent poles, we have none. The stakes are further out from the corners.
I could see putting it in the washer. I could do it in a front loader and air dry.
Washing it twice, like said before, will work just fine. I've never had a slipping issue with mine. Works great!
Wash the building grade stuff with tennis shoes.
Quest sells fabric grade tyvek, its soft and lighter but not as durable.
You can glue it with almost any waterproof glue, IE just glue on tyvek or nylon loops instead of grommets.
Some really tenacious glue is mcnett aquaseal.
Aquaseal will glue almost anything to anything, including, tyvek to sil, sil to cuben etc.
All of those the materials will fail before the glue.
It will stick to polycro, but not so well. With polycro the glue failed before the material, so not sure how long it would last.
Jonnycat
09-13-2009, 12:21
Thank you. Does it shake off when dry like poly, or do the fibers grab debris.
When I roll up my tent with the tyvek groundcloth, I roll a bit then wipe (from middle out past the ends) anything that is on the tyvek. My hands get filthy from this process, but most of the debris goes away.
WILLIAM HAYES
09-13-2009, 18:51
you can wash it in cold water -do not put it in the dryer- washing it breaks it down without affecting its water repellancy washing it makes it soft and easy to handle
Chaco Taco
09-14-2009, 21:11
Duct tape wasn't holding that North Face together anymore?
We got a new one that a bear got hold of. The one we carried last year smells kind bad and cant get rid of it.
matconweb
09-17-2009, 11:22
Hello,
We saw this discussion and thought we'd chime in with some product information. We are a master distributor of Tyvek and offer a Tyvek ground cloth (http://www.materialconcepts.com/products/tyvek/ground-sheet/) ourselves.
Please see our post on this topic at our Tyvek Innovative Uses blog (http://www.materialconcepts.com/tyvek-blog/), specifically this post on Tyvek ground sheets (http://www.materialconcepts.com/tyvek-blog/2009/09/tyvek-ground-sheets-for-camping-and.html). Maybe the person who posted the item below saw our website? Also, there are two main types of Tyvek that could be used, Hard Tyvek and Soft Tyvek.
Hope this helps.
According to one tyvek sheet spec sheet I saw, instead of grommets they recommend bunching the corner and using a sheet bend to tie a line to it. You could then run the line out to the tent stake.
They also recommend a couple of gentle cycles in the wash and air dry.
ShoelessWanderer
09-17-2009, 11:31
Most home dryers have a no heat setting, also if you throw in a pair of clean tennis shoes they'll help with the softening/wrinkling. I use it and it helps keep the bottom of my tent from being filthy. It just seems that once the bottom gets nasty the crud migrates all over the tent then into my sleeping bag....
Also, if you prefer not using tennis shoes which make a really annoying sound in the dryer. Tennis balls work well, also!
Try Kite Tyvek. It's much softer and easier to work with. Here is where I buy it...
http://www.kitebuilder.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/24_162/products_id/666?osCsid=1aa2c9a37f2ac0fa65a22c2e07c91abd
The Doctor
09-17-2009, 19:38
Tyvek is a good in theory but bad when put into practice. I made a tyvek bivy, groundcloth, rainjacket, tarp, kilt, etc. and in the longrun it just doesn't hold up. The main problems I ran into is that it doesn't vent enough moisture out and slowly lets outside moisture in <--when raining. Solnylon is the best route to take if you have the money.
Tyvek is a brand not a product...
There are at least 15 different types, from very soft and breathable to plastic like very waterproof and totally non breathable, from 1.20 to 3.2 oz/yd
http://www2.dupont.com/Tyvek/en_US/products/tyvek_styles/tyvek_styles.html (http://www2.dupont.com/Tyvek/en_US/products/tyvek_styles/tyvek_styles.html)
http://www2.dupont.com/Tyvek/en_US/uses_apps/apps_landing.html (http://www2.dupont.com/Tyvek/en_US/uses_apps/apps_landing.html)
Franco
I also figured out a few years ago that Tyvek is a waste of time and weight. Sorry it's not the answer to your question, but I also never had that issue back when I was a Tyvek user. I've been using the same silnylon floor without any ground cloth for my last 5000 trail miles and the floor is still intact--not a single visible puncture or tear. And I met Henry Shires last week, talked about this issue, and he agreed. He said he virtually never gets tents back for floor repair. I can understand wanting to protect your investment, and it was difficult for me, also, but this is really something that can be left at home.
But Henry sells Tyvec ground sheets cut to size for his tents.
In fact Henry recommended I use Tyvec when I bought my Rainbow from him. I happened to have roll so I cut off a piece that weighs 4.4 oz. Beside protecting the tent floor and keeping it clean I have also used it on dirty shelter floors under my sleeping pad.
Rocketman
09-18-2009, 09:57
Originally Posted by garlic08 http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/wb_style/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?p=890580#post890580)
I also figured out a few years ago that Tyvek is a waste of time and weight. Sorry it's not the answer to your question, but I also never had that issue back when I was a Tyvek user. I've been using the same silnylon floor without any ground cloth for my last 5000 trail miles and the floor is still intact--not a single visible puncture or tear. And I met Henry Shires last week, talked about this issue, and he agreed. He said he virtually never gets tents back for floor repair. I can understand wanting to protect your investment, and it was difficult for me, also, but this is really something that can be left at home.
But Henry sells Tyvec ground sheets cut to size for his tents.
When people go all GOO-GAA about Tyvec and how wonderful it is as a groundcloth or footprint, it makes sense to sell it to them and not have to defend your not selling it as an option.
When folks line up with money to buy something, and almost demand that "if you are any good at all, you would carry it", then the decision to allow them to spend their money on their choice at your shop is just sensible.
No GOO-GAA here, and that doesn't explain Henry's recommendation to me. I don't think Henry would sell or recommend something that didn't work or just to sell it and make a buck. He posts here occasionally, maybe he'll weigh in.
jasonklass
09-20-2009, 15:34
Thank you. Does it shake off when dry like poly, or do the fibers grab debris.
The fibers get a good hold of it. Some stuff you can shake off but the little stuff you have to pull off one by one. That's my experience anyway.