home made sil-nylon project

**schmalts** · 08-13-2008, 15:05

I made my first rain fly from the material I got from Wally world. Turned out nice as long as you do not look close at the stitching

that stuff is hard to sew!
anyway it is 11'6" across the ridge line. 12' d ring to d ring.
Info for you guys, I sewed it up first and then hung it nice and tight outside and applied the thinned out silicon with a paint roller. This was MUCH EASIER than doing the bucket dipping method that I tried as well. My thought also are that when it is hung taunt the material will open up between thread as it will be hanging and this is a better time to plug up the microscopic holes when it it is in its intended hanging shape.
Trick is to thin the material just right. thinner is better than too thick as you can go over it twice if needed but once it is too thick you end up with material that feels like wax paper.
Another piece of advice, when thinning do not dump a lot of thinner in at once, Just a small amount, stir rapid, add more, stir ect. Reason is you will not get a lot of floating thick chucks that will not get dissolved. once you get it thinned a bit you can add a higher amount at once but the first few thinner addings should be kept light so you can work it in good without separation. Hope this helps!
had the tarp outside in a rain last night and crawled under it this AM and the ground was dry and no drips inside. Now doing a sprinkler barrage as you can see in the photo.

**Tobit** · 08-13-2008, 15:12

Looks like a mighty fine job to me my friend and I love the color.

**jeffjenn** · 08-13-2008, 15:55

Tell us more about the fabric you used. What weight, is it ripstop, did it have any coating beforehand. What did you use for the trim, & tieouts? Final weight?

Oh yeah looks great! Good job!

**fin** · 08-13-2008, 17:20

Originally Posted by schmalts

My thought also are that when it is hung taunt

LOL ! You're going to tease and insult it to the trees?

TAUNT:
1.to reproach in a sarcastic, insulting, or jeering manner; mock. 2.to provoke by taunts; twit. –noun 3.an insulting gibe or sarcasm; scornful reproach or challenge. 4.Obsolete. an object of insulting gibes or scornful reproaches.
I think you mean TAUT:
1.tightly drawn; tense; not slack. 2.emotionally or mentally strained or tense: taut nerves. 3.in good order or condition; tidy; neat.

Nice work. Sorry for the English lesson, but my wife says the same thing all the time, and it drives me near crazy every time!

**hdbint** · 08-13-2008, 17:33

Nice.....let us know how the sprinkler test comes out.

What's the final weight?

**headchange4u** · 08-13-2008, 18:00

I love the sprinkler.

**Dutch** · 08-13-2008, 18:06

Looks great. I don't mind paying for Sil but I really like the idea of unlimited colors and paterns.

**schmalts** · 08-13-2008, 18:19

Jeffjen, it was the light rip-stop that wal-mart had. No coating at all is what you want to it absorbs the silicon. Give it a lick, and if it soaks in it is what you want. if it beads off you do not want it. I used a heavy ripstop they had for corners and 7/8 grosgrain for loops and edges. bought D-rings from REI local.
cannot weigh it right now as it is raining again and I want to let it dry. Sprinkler test was no match for it...... no leaks.
when done rolling the silicon on i took my fingers and dipped it in the bucket and smeared a thick coating on the ridge line seams to seal them as well.
as for thinning, use a test piece before applying. You want it around the same as vegetable or baby oil, maybe slightly thicker.