Using raw silicone to seam seal?

**hk2001** · 01-21-2014, 21:35

Can you use the same silicone caulk we use to DIY silnylon to seam seal? Does it have to be diluted with mineral spirits at all?

I'm just curious because I have a few yards of scrap sil I want to play with (bishop bags, stuff sacks, maybe even a TINY asym style tarp) and I've got lots of caulk, and lots of M. Spirits available already.

**psyon27** · 01-21-2014, 22:35

The only job of the mineral spirits is to thin the silicone for easy application I think. Also so you don't have huge globs all over, just a nice thin even layer. I may be wrong though.

Ken

**CB200T** · 01-21-2014, 22:41

Ken is correct, just makes a nice, clean, even coat.

**Bubba** · 01-21-2014, 23:37

Considering that you only need to cover tiny stitch holes, the thinner and smaller the amount of silicone applied the easier and neater the sealing will be.

**Mumbles** · 01-21-2014, 23:55

HK2001, what are you making me? Photos needed.

**FLRider** · 01-22-2014, 06:48

Yep, silicone caulk is the cheapest and most readily available way to seam seal sil. Personally, I use the Pertex flowable silicone for windshield repairs, but I'm pretty sure that any silicone caulk would stick. Just be sure and dust it with some talc powder when you're done; this'll help prevent it from being sticky for the rest of time.

**hk2001** · 01-22-2014, 07:10

Originally Posted by Mumbles

HK2001, what are you making me? Photos needed.

LOL.. I dunno man, whatcha need

Thanks for the replies all.. like I said, I'm just looking at playing around with this scrap sil, so I wanted something cheap and readily available in this small town to seal with.

**Boston** · 01-22-2014, 07:55

For what it's worth, I had a lot of trouble sealing with DIY sealer when I tried it (kept having leaks, needed 3 coats and afterwards it was very thick). I'd go with the commercial stuff, or try permatex flowable silcone windshield and glass sealer. The permatex stuff can be used straight from the tube, it's...$6? Commercial silicone seam sealer is...$8? A small tube of GE Silcone II is..also $8, plus the cost of mineral spirits, so another $7 for a total of $15. So you're not saving money mixing it yourself. It's really not worth the hassle of mixing your own IMO.

**Turtle Creek** · 01-22-2014, 08:51

I used regular silicone (since I had tons of it left over from a basement bathroom build) mixed with mineral spirits. Applied two coats and was good to go. I called a few neighbors and someone had mineral spirits so I didn't pay too much.