need help with waterproofing tarps

**ray** · 03-06-2011, 22:41

Hi. This is a re-visit to an earlier post.

I took a chance on some cheap fabric and would love some advice for making it work (if possible). I bought what I thought was silnylon from the WalMart bargain bin to make tarps for my family. Before I started sewing, I tested the fabric by forming a cup and filling with water. Some water did come through over a long period (hours). I sewed one, strung it up, and put the garden hose to it and it seemed to hold up. I charged ahead with the sewing, made 4 more and hoped for the best - I ran out of money to buy other fabric anyway. I guess the fabric is just a DWR ripstop so, of course, now that we have used them a few times, the tarps bleed like crazy in a rain and sag with moisture from dew. With so much time and effort invested, I hate to scrap them.

Is there any treatment that will make them usable? I sealed the center seams with diluted silicone and that has worked just fine, is it possible to somehow apply that to the whole tarp? What about a ScotchGaurd type product? All advice is appreciated.

Thanks, Ray

**Shug** · 03-06-2011, 23:16

Here is some help.....!!!!
Hope it works out.
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...54&postcount=1
Shug

**rjcress** · 03-07-2011, 10:48

I feel your pain, Ray.
The thread that Shug pointed you to will be very welcome relief for you.
You might also read this one from last week:
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=29093

harrell79cj5 had great success applying diluted silicone.

**harrell79cj5** · 03-07-2011, 13:27

Yes I did have good success with mine, but just wondering how well the solution will soak through on something already treated with a DWR? On second thought, it really can't hurt anything since you already have them made and they are no good as leaky tarps! You should be able to see how well the solution is penetrating, and feel it on the opposing side as you apply. That is one reason I liked the foam brush application as opposed to the dunk method. Good Luck!

**ray** · 03-07-2011, 14:12

Thanks you guys. I searched the boards before posting, but it can be so hard to weed through to find the right info.

We've used these several times so the DWR may be worn off already anyway. I'll give it a shot and post the results. Hope it works, I'm hoping to grab a 3 week section hike in late April and I'm sure it will be just in time for some cold spring rains.