Hanging in the rain

**JPsax** · 02-09-2012, 20:10

Hey guys. Writing to you all from under the 4season in the diy. Holding up great in some heavy rain. One question though. Every time I hit the tarp i get a splash in my face from some where. Sound normal?

**dangerous** · 02-09-2012, 20:12

possibly just condensation collecting on the under side of your tarp

**Bubba** · 02-09-2012, 20:16

Some will say its "misting" i.e. water coming through the saturated silnylon. It's been mentioned in other threads and it along with weight savings is a reason some people went over to spinn and cuben. I've never experienced it but I have had the occasional drop come at me when the tarp sides are pitchd high like in porch mode.

**gargoyle** · 02-10-2012, 06:52

Depending on conditions (humidity, wind, etc.) the rain causes the fabric to be cooler than the sorrounding air temp and condensation occurs on the inside wall of the fabric.
Think of a glass of ice water on a warm day, the same principle applies...whether its sil, spinn, cuben, or pu coated fabric.

Dont bang the tarp, or rub against it. This will minimize the droplets falling.
Set it up to allow for good ventilation (when conditions allow).

**SilvrSurfr** · 02-10-2012, 15:13

Originally Posted by gargoyle

Depending on conditions (humidity, wind, etc.) the rain causes the fabric to be cooler than the sorrounding air temp and condensation occurs on the inside wall of the fabric.
Think of a glass of ice water on a warm day, the same principle applies...whether its sil, spinn, cuben, or pu coated fabric.

Dont bang the tarp, or rub against it. This will minimize the droplets falling.
Set it up to allow for good ventilation (when conditions allow).

+1 on not touching the tarp during rain. Nothing good can come of it. I've followed this practice from back in my tent days - don't touch walls of tent during rain. It just seemed to me that wherever I touched the tent, the water just seemed to start seeping through right there.

**JPsax** · 02-10-2012, 20:21

This is good stuff. Thanks guys. Yeah I was hanging pretty low as well so it migh have been from the bottom of the tarp where the grosgrain sucks in all the water.