Finishing sealant to reduce tackiness

**DemostiX** · 10-11-2012, 22:22

I'm quitting after the first two pages of few searches of the web on this, and turning to folks who may have solved this.

I'd like to finish ridge-line silicone seam sealer after complete curing, one day, a completely tack-free surface before it coheres to itself and before dirt adheres to it. If this were a tire tube, I'd dust it with talc.

Has someone come across a product or method to do this? Maybe some kind of non-toxic but transparent dust? If this were a tire tube, I'd dust it with talc.

The sealant I've used is the much-liked Permatex silicone windshield sealant, which has excellent wetting and adhesion properties.

**titanium_hiker** · 10-11-2012, 22:35

I did my DIY with baby talc.

TH

**GrizzlyAdams** · 10-11-2012, 22:41

When I bought three MacCat Deluxes from OEM back in 2006 or 2007 he had done the seam-sealing for me, and explained that the dusty stuff on it was baby talc.

**Shotgunred** · 10-11-2012, 23:18

Originally Posted by titanium_hiker

I did my DIY with baby talc.

TH

Same here, even though it's not a tire tube

**gmcttr** · 10-11-2012, 23:21

I use tire talc (no perfume)...I don't like my tarp to smell like a baby's bu__.

**zukiguy** · 10-13-2012, 16:32

Talc on my silnylon pack cover and poncho mods.....Ditto

**HappyCamper** · 10-13-2012, 16:36

Talc on mine too. There seems to be a consensus.

**Lost_Biker** · 10-13-2012, 16:42

Talc for seam sealer and tubes!

**swankfly** · 10-13-2012, 17:08

Wait a minute, is this a freaking secret? How come it's not mentioned in any of the seam sealing directions?

**gargoyle** · 10-13-2012, 18:40

Originally Posted by swankfly

Wait a minute, is this a freaking secret? How come it's not mentioned in any of the seam sealing directions?

Its been mentioned plenty.
Talc, baby powder, even corn starch has been recomended in the past.
Letting the seam sealer dry for 24 hours with the tarp fully strung tight at room temp is good too. Then dust (if needed).
Apply seam sealer sparingly (your just sealing the needle holes). Excessive amounts looks gloppy and can take days to cure properly. Add mineral spirits to dilute and aid in the drying process.

(doing a search for baby powder or talc may help?)