Matte/non-glare sealing solution?

**Pikors** · 10-06-2011, 05:12

Hello from Switzerland!

I'm about to make my first tarp and read tons of stuff about everything and found lots of information on this website and I thank you for that.

The only information I need is related to the sealing of the seams.
I'm making a tarp for a military/tactical/low-profile-ish application and I need the sealing to be matte, to avoid sun reflection.

So I wanted to know if DIY sealing with mineral spirit and silicon does shine or not. And what about SylNett's sealant? is it glossy/shiny etc?

I was also curious about the matte aspect of sealing tape, for example the one made by 3M. Anyone has some experience to share? I have a military gore-tex parka and all seams have a great matte sealing tape but it's impossible to know what brand they used.

Many thanks!

**Loneoak** · 10-06-2011, 07:36

Shiny, I only seam sealed mine on the inside

**Bubba** · 10-06-2011, 07:41

Silione sealant is shiny and when first applied a little sticky. Some use talc on the sealant to eliminate the tackiness but maybe if you use some sand or dirt it would get rid of the shine and the stickiness. Also as Loneoak mentioned, you only need to seal the inside and that will not be visible.

**KerMegan** · 10-06-2011, 07:52

this would require experimentation; but as the silicone goes through a 'tacky' stage, it might be possible to imprint it with a texture at that point; which would greatly reduce it's reflectivity by dispersing the bounced light. if you could find something with a rough or pebbled texture, press it lightly onto the sil as it is setting/drying, (but choose something that is not likely to stick to the sealant drying surface) and then let us know how it goes..
KM(who is full of good ideas, but little time to test them..sigh)