DIY Tablecloth Tarp?

[dbass]

Hey Guys,
After seeing the post about the Tablecloths Factory 40% sale today I started wondering if I could make a DIY tablecloth tarp out of a 90"x132" crinkled taffeta tablecloth and use the DIY sil methods explained in this DIY thread. I searched the to see if there was a previous thread mentioning it and didn't see anything about it. Anyone tried it before? Does a sil method work on polyester? I'd go back and search for that specifically, but that thread was painfully long to read the first time through
Yes, I know it would be heavy and it isn't a cat-cut --- but, as a back up for one of the boy scouts or a buddy who wants to try hanging it might be a decent alternative (if it would work).
Thoughts?
-dbass

[BananaHammock]

I would just use a 4 mil plastic painters dropcloth. You can put cat cuts in it if you like

[BrianWillan]

Hey Guys,
After seeing the post about the Tablecloths Factory 40% sale today I started wondering if I could make a DIY tablecloth tarp out of a 90"x132" crinkled taffeta tablecloth and use the DIY sil methods explained in this DIY thread. I searched the to see if there was a previous thread mentioning it and didn't see anything about it. Anyone tried it before? Does a sil method work on polyester? I'd go back and search for that specifically, but that thread was painfully long to read the first time through
Yes, I know it would be heavy and it isn't a cat-cut --- but, as a back up for one of the boy scouts or a buddy who wants to try hanging it might be a decent alternative (if it would work).
Thoughts?
-dbass

Just be aware that tablecloth fabric weights about 2.6-2.7 ounces per square yard by itself. So adding your diy silnlyon treatment to that will increase the weight further. There is also the additional work of making tie out points to pitch the tarp.

There are better and easier fabrics to work with for making a tarp using the DIY silnylon treatment.

Cheers

Brian

[boulderv7]

I don't think that tablecloth fabric has a tight enough weave to make a tarp out of. Thats my opinion, but I am no expert. Better to use regular ripstop nylon to make your own, or just buy silnylon, as you do not save that much money making your own. But, in the spirit of DIY, you can always try!! Thats the fun part anyways.

[latriper]

I had asked basically the same question a few months back. The material I was considering was some polyester fabric that was pretty inexpensive. Most of the answers had concern about the strength of the fabric. I went ahead and tried it out but I didn't do the DIY silicone treatment (although I have on both 1.1 and 1.9 ripstop). I thought I would test it before doing the soak method. After a few days set up in the back yard, I noticed some drooping so I tightened up the guylines, I then noticed that there was a rip where one of my ridgeline tieouts was. Not a huge rip but 3 or so inches. I determined that it was a "fail" and didn't go ahead with the silicone treatment. Your results might vary but after that I noticed Kyle at Ripstop By The Roll had some 1.1 oz that was very reasonable so I wound up going that route. That tarp came out OK and after that, I just starting buying silnylon. Your's might turn out different but that is my experience. Good luck!