IMHO the best seam seal out there is the Permatex Flowable Sealer. It doesn't dry tacky, flows into needle holes, and if you cut the tip and apply it straight from the tube, it goes on with relatively low mess. I seal one side.
IMHO the best seam seal out there is the Permatex Flowable Sealer. It doesn't dry tacky, flows into needle holes, and if you cut the tip and apply it straight from the tube, it goes on with relatively low mess. I seal one side.
“Light thinks it travels faster than anything but it is wrong. No matter how fast light travels, it finds the darkness has always got there first, and is waiting for it." -Terry Pratchett
Agreed - I do one side, usually the underside. No need to do the door seams (hems).
You need to seal:
- Ridgeline Seam
- Ridgeline Tie-Out reinforcement material stitching
- Any Side Panel Pulls
- On your tarp Grill, also do the Three (yes, three!) pole mod center tie-offs (they're along the ridgeline anyway, so you'll hit them, just pay special attention to it)
And as stated... a little goes a long ways. "A dab'll do ya"
Perimeter hems, and any edge reinforcements and pole mods do not have to be done.
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Question - If you seal only the underside, couldn't water get through the top stitches and get trapped inside the flat felled seam?Originally Posted by sclittlefield
Because of this, I've been sealing the top only. Thoughts?
Tinker
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I just do out and in. Then I rest easy.........
Whooooo Buddy)))) All Secure in Sector Seven
Tinker I was thinking the same thing. Thats why I did the outside...dosent look as pretty but the functionality of it made sense. But I also like your ideah Shug of doing both sides of the ridgeline, Hey Shug, did you also do both side for your side pull outs or just one? Man I love hammock/gear talk
Sometimes I like to hike and think, And sometimes I just like to hike.
Hiking is'ent about waiting for the storm to pass its about learning to hike in the rain.
I did both sides on the pull-outs. I detest leaks!Tinker I was thinking the same thing. Thats why I did the outside...dosent look as pretty but the functionality of it made sense. But I also like your ideah Shug of doing both sides of the ridgeline, Hey Shug, did you also do both side for your side pull outs or just one? Man I love hammock/gear talk
Have had none!
Whooooo Buddy)))) All Secure in Sector Seven
All I've ever sealed is the outside of the seam. I run a narrow bead about 12" long and then use a soft tooth brush to apply it---constantly dragging it toward the other end. The tooth brush is just stiff enough to force it into all of the threads and even under the little flap on the seam in a very thin layer.
Haven't had any problems with it looking like doo-doo either, due to the fact that I have a lot more control with it. Never had a leak and I use the cheapy tooth brushes that come in a pack of 5 for a couple of dollars.
I also make sure that I tie both ends of the seam to something and pull it taut. This opens up the needle holes and does a better job of sealing and I leave it that way for 24 hours and after untieing it , I let it dry an additional 48---but that's just me.
Last edited by leepingreenlizards; 03-18-2010 at 12:17.
Hum....this is makeing me rethink...I have plenty of permatex...adding a thin layer underneath and on the inside of the pull out will add minimal weight. Will help further prevent leaks...and gives me a reason to set up my tarp and play around with it...hum...im sold this weekend I will most likely seal the other side. I mean, one of the reasons I got a BWWD which I plan on useing for 4 season use is because I hate rain. Id hate to have a small leak over my head....the tooth brush ideah is a good ideah seems like it would be much more managable and neater then my clumsly fingers.
Sometimes I like to hike and think, And sometimes I just like to hike.
Hiking is'ent about waiting for the storm to pass its about learning to hike in the rain.
Anyone ever tried Thompson's Water Seal?
I've heard urban legends of people using this and they say it works greta? Just curious!
TWS is made for wooden decks and such. I am not sure how effective it would be on fabric. Never tried it and for the price I think the typical silicon/paint thinner solution is cheaper.
I may be slow... But I sure am gimpy.
"Bless you child, when you set out to thread a needle don't hold the thread still and fetch the needle up to it; hold the needle still and poke the thread at it; that's the way a woman most always does, but a man always does t'other way."
Mrs. Loftus to Huck Finn
We Don't Sew... We Make Gear! video series
Important thread injector guidelines especially for Newbies
Bobbin Tension - A Personal Viewpoint
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