My DIY Multicam Tarp

[sargevining]

Nice.

I've been waffling about an Epsilon tarp. I love the stuff (click on the Underwoobie link in my sig), but since Nanosphere is a coating, I'm worried about durability (of the coating---the frikkin fabric will be still be around after even the cockroaches die out). We also have some awfully heavy rainfalls down here and I worry about splash through in a torrential downpour. I'll be real interested in the long term usage of this thing.

But now you've got me thinking about a winter tarp---------

I get Multicam tape here:

http://store.jontay.com/Multicam_Mil...e_Webbing.aspx

and it occasionally shows up on Ebay for cheaper. IIRC the spec calls for 1500# loads and I've had no trouble with it using it as tree straps & just about anything else.

And thanks for turning me on to RR Trading Post on Ebay as a source for Epsilon. Cheaper than direct from Duro, and they're good people.

[SirMarkos]

That's awesome. What is final weight post-silicone?

The final finished weight in it's stuff sack with the split rings attached was: 960g or 33oz or 2lbs 1oz

DSC_6975.jpg

[SirMarkos]

Nice.

Thanks!

I've been waffling about an Epsilon tarp. I love the stuff (click on the Underwoobie link in my sig)

Those look awesome!

I'm worried about durability...

I'm not. This is military spec material. For what...I have no idea. But I can say this, I believe it'd outlast silnylon.

But now you've got me thinking about a winter tarp---------

You're welcome!

And thanks for turning me on to RR Trading Post on Ebay as a source for Epsilon. Cheaper than direct from Duro, and they're good people.

Indeed they are! A real pleasure to do business with!

[SirMarkos]

Here's a phote to show the packed size

DSC_6972.jpg

And here is the tarp next to the Warbonnet Superfly

DSC_6977.jpg

I'm, what they call, impressed, with this build

[sargevining]

Quote Originally Posted by sargevining View Post
I'm worried about durability...

I'm not. This is military spec material. For what...I have no idea. But I can say this, I believe it'd outlast silnylon.

Yah, the fabric will last forever. I'm worried about the durability of the Nanosphere coating. It should last longer than DWR and PU, but its a coat and will eventually wear off.

I am wondering how it worked with your silicon treatment, though. One would think a coating as water repellent as Nanosphere would inhibit adhesion or absorption of the silicon.

[SirMarkos]

According to this interview - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZMiJBrA2NE

It's a permanant process. I'll definitely be making a hammock out of this material!

[kc_joe]

Love the camo. Thanks for the breakdown.

[sargevining]

OK.

I think we may be talking past each other, and its likely my fault.

I am very interested in the long term performance of your tarp. Up until now, the consensus of opinion in this community (among those who care) has been that Nanosphere was unsuitable for a tarp for the following reasons:

1. Its a coating. Regardless of what any manufacturer says, all coatings will eventually degrade, de-laminate, or wear off. This, along with the weight savings, is why sil-nylon is preferred over DWR. Nanosphere seems to last longer than others, but some folks feel it is nothing more than a super-duper DWR coating.

2. Most coatings (with the exception of un-degraded PU), will see splash through in torrential downpours.

2. Nanosphere is designed primarily for clothing and not for applications requiring large areas to be water resistant, such as tarps, and therefore may perform poorly over the long term.

For the reasons above, I have been hesitant to use it for a summer tarp in Coastal Texas because of the nature of the rainstorms we get down here. I personally feel that it is an acceptable fabric for a winter tarp as rains are not a heavy in winter down here. I am interested in seeing how your tarp performs in light of those opinions given above.

However.

You have added a silicon treatment to your tarp. Your post seems to indicate that you used the same process other folks have used with other camo fabrics to produce a "home made sil-nylon" (I think this is a good idea). This raises some questions for me:

1. Given that Nanosphere is a water resistant coating, and the silicone treatment is basically a liquid, how well did the silicon impregnate the fabric, or did it just put a coating on top of a coating? My understanding is that the Nanosphere coating is only on the right side of the fabric, so its possible that the silicon did impregnate the fabric from the wrong side, or it might have just coated the wrong side of the fabric, as well as put a coating on the Nanopshere because the Nanosphere had some effect on that process. I am eager to see the results.

2. What long term effect will come from the Nanosphere/silicon combination? Will the sil have any effect on the performance of the Nanosphere or vice-versa?

[f k]

Great looking tarp! I have been wanting an MC tarp as well. I may have to give this a shot. =)

[hk2001]

Did you follow a particular pattern for the placement of the tieouts, etc?