I need some help understanding the various coatings used on ripstop nylon. When looking at coated options, I came across the following:
-silicone impregnated
-silicone coated
-PU coated (UV)
-PU coated (FR UV)
-PU coated (clear coat)
-PU coated (opaque coat)
-Heavy Coating (not sure what this meant)
I'm assuming impregnated is better than coated, since coatings can wear off. Any truth to that?
With coated options, is silicone better than polyurethane? Will one or both eventually flake/peel off?
Is it worth paying a slight premium if the same fabric type is offered with different amounts of coating (one with 3/4oz of coating and another with 1oz of coating)?
While a flame retardant (FR) option is not as common, many seem to be available with UV stabilization. When choosing a fabric, are you guys seeking out ones with UV treatment or not worrying about it?
I assumed all coatings were clear, but I found a camo fabric that had a 1oz opaque coating. At the risk of sounding stupid, what is the difference between clear and opaque when it comes to coatings? If the coating was truly opaque, wouldn't it had the fabric pattern?
Finally, are "breathable" ripstops made without any type of coating or do most include some type of DWR?
Bookmarks