Testing Tyvek Housewrap adhesives in the US

[11steve11]

tight-wad:
To add to my earlier reply on delamination...all of the other adhesives did not 'stick' to the Tyvek enough to pull fibers out of the sheet. I wanted an adhesive that 'became one with the Tyvek' and didn't hinder flexibility. The contact cement satisfied this quest for me.

JohnSawyer:
I actually did try some different tapes; Oh yea, they held just as you said. For the square areas or lengths I plan on connecting and the unusual shapes I couldn't justify the cost of the tapes. Plus the contact cement is a very thin liquid and I've been using different sizes of paint brushes to apply it with great success. I have now made 2 tarps, 1 tent and a backpack (like a moonbow gearskin.) The tie downs are 4" triangles that I used a 2" brush on yet the backpack has two 6ft by 5mm seams for draw strings I used a thin brush on; I would have used up one $12 roll of tape yet my $15 can doesn't look like I've used anything. Tape is faster and less messy yet unforgiving, 1 mistake and I pull out the scissors.

[JohnSawyer]

tight-wad:

JohnSawyer:
I actually did try some different tapes; Oh yea, they held just as you said. For the square areas or lengths I plan on connecting and the unusual shapes I couldn't justify the cost of the tapes. Plus the contact cement is a very thin liquid and I've been using different sizes of paint brushes to apply it with great success. I have now made 2 tarps, 1 tent and a backpack (like a moonbow gearskin.) The tie downs are 4" triangles that I used a 2" brush on yet the backpack has two 6ft by 5mm seams for draw strings I used a thin brush on; I would have used up one $12 roll of tape yet my $15 can doesn't look like I've used anything. Tape is faster and less messy yet unforgiving, 1 mistake and I pull out the scissors.

Very cool. Thanks for the clarification! I have some DAP contact cement, (small bottle). but it's not the non-flammable stuff... Does it work?

From your picture, the label says "Non-Flammable contact cement" I assume that's the water-based stuff.

Somewhere I have some formica cement, which is basically a water-based contact cement. I'll have to give that a try. I like the backpack idea!

Do you have any pics of your finished products?

[TOB9595]

Wonderful info
Thank you
I am a TYVEK freak in the making
Tom

[11steve11]

I got a PM today that showed I'd not included what adhesive worked the best for me in the testing.

Steve,
I have used house wrap Tyvek for many applications also and have many DIY projects that would be better if I used an adhesive instead of tape, and my question to you is.....what is the brand and name of the glue that you would recomend for me to use?

Happy trails,
Long time Scout leader XXX
(XXXXXXXX)

The one from Home Depot that worked the best in the testing was DAP Weldwood NONFLAMMABLE Contact Cement in the 32oz can for $15 (Thumbnail attached.)
It is all we'll be using to make our Tyvek equipment. It grabs the homewrap, stays flexible, water cleanup and waterproof when dry.

[doheir]

I did a quick search for Tyvek in colors, specifically green or brown, so that they would make less obtrusive tarp colors, but nothing came up.

Has anyone located a source for a similar item?

Thanks for the tests on Tyvek + adhesives. Very thorough job.

Doug

[gargoyle]

I've found black tyvek. But it is not available in the wider widths.
There has been talk about tyvek being dyed, (warm, almost hot water, a packet of RIT dye, dunk the tyvek in a bucket of dye.) Not sure how well it works, or how long (colorfastness) it lasts. Or if will bleed colors when rewetted?

A combo dip into green, brown and black, (3 seperate colors/buckets, dunked individually) it may come out as some kind of tie-dyed cam, hippie throw back tarp?
Vinegar was also mentioned as substitute for water, the acid helps etch the fibers some, and help the dye get a foothold.

Black tyvek

[oldgringo]

Most of this ground has already been plowed. These two articles, along with the links therein, should answer most questions:
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=525