seam seal question

[Firetruck]

I made a tarp out of 1.1 silnylon. I need to seal the ridgeline seam. The material stretches a good bit when I set it up. My question is should I stretch it out before putting the silicone or put it on with the material loose.

[Taliesin96]

I made a tarp out of 1.1 silnylon. I need to seal the ridgeline seam. The material stretches a good bit when I set it up. My question is should I stretch it out before putting the silicone or put it on with the material loose.

set it out nice and tight stretched as much as you can so the stitching holes open, then apply your silicone in small areas and use a wedge spounge to spread it and push the silicone in then wipe with a papertowel or cloth continue down the ridgeline make sure you overlap then do your tieouts. le4ave it out to dry if after it is dry it is tacky use some corn starch

[lokbot]

I use the same technique, but I also like to thin out my seam sealer a bit so that it has a nice thin coating.


-Loki

[Taliesin96]

I use the same technique, but I also like to thin out my seam sealer a bit so that it has a nice thin coating.


-Loki

i use the permatex or however it's spelled lol

[Bubba]

Yeah, seal it under tension is what I do. Consider using Permatex flowable silicone available in automotive stores. As the name suggests, it flows well and gets into the stitch holes well. Its easier to apply than Silnet IMO. Many people here use it as well.

[Cranky Bear]

I agree with what has already been said, set it up nice and tight and apply sealer. I personally have only used the Permatex flowable sealer (made for sealing auto glass), but silnet seamsealer will work, as well as silicone caulk split with mineral spirits. My reason for using the Permatex was I got it very cheap (on sale at my local hardware store).

[Firetruck]

The Permatex is what I have. Thanks ya'll