Is it sil???

**Otter1** · 01-14-2012, 15:39

I have some gray ripstop (1.1, I believe) from WallyWorld that's a few yrs old that's been lying around and I can't tell if it's sil or DWR. It looks just like some sil & DWR I have. I know of several variations of silnylon so I'm lost.

Is there a conclusive way to ID this fabric? I don't want to use it for the wrong application!

Thanks.

**Orion X** · 01-14-2012, 16:24

If you can blow through it, it's more than likely DWR. If you can't it's probably Sil. You could also cut a small square rubberband it over a cup with a slight sag and put some water on it and wait......... if it soaks through DWR, if not you have Sil. That's the test that has worked for me. Hope that helps Funny Money.

**Otter1** · 01-14-2012, 16:43

Thanks!

I've done the square test: it doesn't leak and it passes the breath test, so it's probably sil. Just didn't want to waste the fabric.

**RedBeardHanger** · 01-15-2012, 01:16

Originally Posted by Funny Money

Thanks!

I've done the square test: it doesn't leak and it passes the breath test, so it's probably sil. Just didn't want to waste the fabric.

Wow! Wally World sells sil? Time ta go shopping!

**JohnSawyer** · 01-15-2012, 03:24

I have some sharkskin gray that I bought years ago from WW. I thought it was sil... It's DWR. It was hard to breathe through, as it's calendared.

Sil is stiff compared to regular 1.1, and amazingly slippery... If this stuff drapes really well, then it's not sil. Sil is often crinkly... (don't know how else to describe it.

If you can push some in a bowl with your hand and do it quietly, it's not sil... Any other tests?

Oh... Do the "holds water test", but add a little soap, and scrub the fabric first. Sil won't wet-out (soak up water) but DWR will. Soap overcomes the DWR momentarily, allowing the fabric to get wet. Once wet, it will start to leak through...

Since I didn't know any better, I made a 8x10 tarp... later I did the DIY Sil thing.

John

**Orion X** · 01-14-2012, 20:55

Good deal man, if it's past those two tests it's time to make a new tarp!

**Knotty** · 01-15-2012, 01:10

I've got Walmart fabric that passes both those tests but I'm having a hard time believing its silnylon. Just doesn't seem like something they'd stock and especially since it was on.y $1.50/yard. I sure hope I'm wrong.

**gmcttr** · 01-15-2012, 09:07

Originally Posted by Knotty

I've got Walmart fabric that passes both those tests but I'm having a hard time believing its silnylon. Just doesn't seem like something they'd stock and especially since it was on.y $1.50/yard. I sure hope I'm wrong.

^This. I know I have seen talk on here before about WW silnylon, but I have a hard time believing it ever happened. I have always suspected it was mis-identification.