Tarp tie out reinforcements for 1.1oz silpoly

[zekedoobie]

Hey folks. I'm in the middle of my third tarp build and am using 1.1oz silpoly this time. I haven't worked with this material before however I have heard from RSBTR, and others, to use the same 1.1oz silpoly for reinforcements. I know I need to use 100% silicone seam sealer to 'glue' the corner reinforcements on but my question is if I need to sew them as well. I have read of people on here doing this OR sewing them on and I'm wondering if I should combine the two techniques or if the glue alone works and holds up fine? Anyone have experience and possibly field testing to answer this question?
Thanks-Zach

[blackbishop351]

I've not used silpoly, but when I make my silnylon tarps I only see the reinforcements. I also use a different material - 1.9 oz ripstop (hammock material) for strength.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

[Monkeyboy42]

I don't think combining will help much. The .9oz membrane you have to laminate/glue. The 1.1 oz you can sew. I've sewn all three of mine, and I've used both uncoated 1.1 oz ripstop, and on others HyperD 300. Both have been fine. The 1.1 oz reinforcements have stood up to some pretty gnarly winds.

Glueing and sewing seems overkill. Theoretically blue should be stronger, since the entire surface area of the patch is reinforced. This means forces have a larger are to be distributed on, vs sewing where it's only reinforced along the stitch lines. Sewing is fast we, since you don't need to wait on cure time.

[Flatliner]

+1 I don't even reinforce my 1.1 silpoly corners, I just use longer grosgrain ribbon looped.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[JackM]

Here is my reply yesterday on the Membrane thread similar subject:

"I recently made an asymmetric tarp from 1.1 oz. silpoly XL and reinforced the corners with the same material following RBTR's recommendations except that I used 6" radius patches for the ridge line. I also used a 3/4" strip of the same material to reinforce the entire ridge line itself on the under side. I used GE Silicone II to cement the reinforcements in place. I just put a little of the silicone on the patch and spread it out thin with a putty knife, turned it over and places it and then used the putty knife to force out any excess along with any bubbles. It ain't real purty but it sure seems effective! I haven't had it in a real storm yet, but I'm pretty confident that it will hold up just fine. "

[Scouter_Ken]

I just received my 1.1 silpoloy XL and am having some of the same questions.

For my .9 Membrane PU hex tarp, bonding the radial reinforcements to the tieouts and then reinforcing the rolled hem with a short (~6 inch) length of grosgrain worked fantastic. But that was .9 membrane and the seam grip created a bond between the 2 pieces of PU coated fabric.

will Silnet generate the same type of bond between the 1.1 silpoly tarp and reinforcements of the same fabric?

this is a pic of the .9 Membrane tieout with the radial reinforcement and grosgrain.
tarp7.JPG

[kitsapcowboy]

this is a pic of the .9 Membrane tieout with the radial reinforcement and grosgrain.
tarp7.JPG

OOC, is that a pack hook mounted in tandem with a 1/2" Beastee Dee on that tie-out?

Also, IIRC, RBTR Silpoly XL is coated with a different process on each surface, hence its distinct "right" and "wrong" sides, unlike standard RBTR 1.1 oz silpoly, which is silicone only and looks identical on both sides. You may want to verify the correct bonding agents to use JIC as the methods may be different for these two fabrics.

Thread works on both though...

[HammockCanoe]

To convince you, take a small piece of your silpoly and hem the sides (simulating a corner). Then, sew the reinforcement and gros grain. Now, seam rip your work and look at it with a light source behind it. See how the fabric was cut by the multiple holes, scary.

I always glue my reinforcements on silpoly with Permatex Silicone Windshiel Sealant, including the pull outs. It is more labor intensive, but it's my tarp and my time. After applying the reinforcement, I sandwich it between two pieces of very smooth plywood covered with waxed paper (both sides). I apply a light weight and leave it overnight. Then I carefully sew the gros grain loops.

I never had a failure, even with the pull outs that I never sew.

You can glue silpoy on silpoly, but it will take more time to cure because both sides will be impermeable to air. I often use untreated ripstop for the reinforcements. After sandwiching between smooth plywood pieces covered with waxed paper, the siicone will completely impregnate the ripstop and create a very smooth and thin surface.

Have fun with it.

[Scouter_Ken]

Yes, I have used both a Beastee Dee and a packhook on the tarp tieouts.

The backhook is used as an anchor point for my hammock pullouts. It was an experiment to see how well it would work and thereby reduce the number of stakes required and reduce a little weight.

Works great as there is not a whole lot of tension from the shock cord hammock pullouts transferred to tarp.

[Cabmanhang]

Yes, I have used both a Beastee Dee and a packhook on the tarp tieouts.

The backhook is used as an anchor point for my hammock pullouts. It was an experiment to see how well it would work and thereby reduce the number of stakes required and reduce a little weight.

Works great as there is not a whole lot of tension from the shock cord hammock pullouts transferred to tarp.

Brilliant, Ken. You've given me yet another idea. Thanks.