make your own sil.

**warbonnetguy** · 02-25-2011, 11:53

i think doing it this way would be more expensive by far if you factored the treatment into the cost along with everything else.

**harrell79cj5** · 02-25-2011, 12:45

I updated my thread on my tarp!

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...475#post416475

Waiting for it to dry....probably be tomorrow before I test it out!

**harrell79cj5** · 02-25-2011, 12:47

I agree with you warbonnetguy, if you are doing this just for cost, just buy silnylon! But if you want a camo tarp, or you just like doing this kind of stuff, its not too bad to do!

**Knotty** · 02-25-2011, 16:53

Being able to make a camo tarp is what motivated me. It was a fun project and I'm happy with the results.

**harrell79cj5** · 02-25-2011, 18:26

I just got through testing my tarp! It was already dry, which was faster than I expected! it works perfectly!! I put the hose on a spray setting and even with pressure on full at 1 ft away still not even a mist came through! Very pleased with all of it! i will get a finished weight as soon as it dries.

**harrell79cj5** · 02-26-2011, 08:41

Weight of the tarp went from 19 oz to 25 oz after application.

**Wise Old Owl** · 05-03-2011, 21:03

Originally Posted by Rapt

I've been thinking about doing this too... Glad to see someone made the first plunge...

From my point of view using something that dries faster is NOT an advantage. The idea I would think is to get as much penetration as possible rather than coating the surface.

My idea was to make a big enough pot to soak the fabric in all at once. Even leave it soak for some time. My experience with dying was that it takes a fair bit of time for full wetting. So I figured the same here...

Then I was thinking of hanging it out on the clothesline to wipe down and let dry.

Also considered doing a very thin mix and multiple applications.

I find fault with this, the professional stuff is deep and on one side. I suspect a squeegee like device.

**Roadrunnr72** · 05-04-2011, 07:23

When I made my sil, I used a sponge/foam type brush. It seemed like it helped get the sil into the material, instead of just on it. I don't think multiple apps would help, once the first drys the second will not absorb, it would just stick to the outside and may peel off. Now if you coat it once then repeat quickly, before it drys completly, it may help. As long as you get a good first application, a second should not be needed.

**OneEye** · 05-04-2011, 09:38

Originally Posted by Wise Old Owl

I find fault with this, the professional stuff is deep and on one side. I suspect a squeegee like device.

I was under the impression the silicon coating on silnylon was extremely thin, and essentially covered both sides: filling the interthread holes and coating the fibers rather than a layer built up on the fabric. Maybe you are thinking of the urethane coated nylons, which are usually thick and on one side only.

**harrell79cj5** · 05-04-2011, 13:32

Originally Posted by Roadrunnr72

When I made my sil, I used a sponge/foam type brush. It seemed like it helped get the sil into the material, instead of just on it. I don't think multiple apps would help, once the first drys the second will not absorb, it would just stick to the outside and may peel off. Now if you coat it once then repeat quickly, before it drys completly, it may help. As long as you get a good first application, a second should not be needed.

I agree the sponge brush worked great for me!