I just use the 100% silicon from Home Depot and thin it out with mineral spirits. Start by mixing in about 1/3 spirits to silicon, stir until it's well blended and keep adding mineral spirits until it's the consistency you want. Add just a little at a time or you may wind up adding silicon to get it right and ultimately have a lot more than you need. Also, a little goes a long way so you may want to go in batches.
Happy Trails to one and all.
Enjoy the outdoors wisely and elevate your perspective.
Modified Penny Wood Stove instructional Video-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fPlHqsYy38
Hammock Wheel https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...09#post1035609
Another Really cool JC Penny Puffer instructional- https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...141#post953141
I used a diy seam sealer made out of 60% silicone caulk and 40% white gas. Worked great, cheap and no leaks!
"When somebody moves something in your house, you notice it. When somebody moves something in the woods, I notice it."
-Tom Brown, Jr.
I went to Wal Mart yesterday and they had seemingly every different type of Permatext Silicon except the flowable stuff. I did, however, walk out with 2 more Imusa pots and some sporks.
I'll stop by Napa Auto Parts on the way home to see if they have the Permatex. If not then I think the home depot silicone caulk and mineral spirits trick may work.
In addition to my tarp I have 3 rain parkas all of which need seam sealing. My wife found some fairly good rain jackets at Goodwill for $5 each. None of them have pit zips but one in particular has a really nice hood with a mesh liner, inside pockets and velcro cuffs to tighten the sleeves at the wrist Plus, it's large enough to easily fit over a jacket. The material is waterproof but the seams leak. If I can get a good seam seal then I just got a decent rain jacket that only weighs 13 ounces for $5.
BTW, Goodwill has been a boon for us. We found 2 pairs of convertible pants, the kind where the legs zip off to make shorts, both in my size for under $10 each. I found several polypro shirts, both short and long sleeve, for $3 each. And now we have 3 different rain jackets at $5 each. She found herself a puffy down jacket in her size for $15. I would never have thought to check Goodwill but my wife is a pro-shopper and is great at finding deals like this. So be aware, Goodwill is a pretty good source for back country clothing if you don't mind searching through floral pants and old lady blouses to find the good stuff.
The Flowable silicone is used for car windshields so you should have better luck at NAPA.
Don't let life get in the way of living.
Silicone based seam sealers for silicon coated fabrics.
Polyurethane based ( Seamgrip etc) for PU coated and uncoated is a good rule to follow.
Silicone is good for almost anything, but polyuerethane is usually a stronger bond and if its needs repairing, PU sticks to PU better than silicone sticks to silicone.
+1 on the Permatex flowable silicone. Works great on silnylon -- no thinning required. A little tube goes a long way.
Forgot the link, here it is: http://www.tarptent.com/ttvideos.html
Travel Journal: http://clackstont100.weebly.com/
Just chiming in to +1 on the Permatex flowable silicone. $5 at your local auto parts store, much easier than thinning silicone caulk. I dusted my seams with cornstarch after sealing to keep them from being sticky and wiped the excess cornstarch off with a damp rag which left just the right amount behind. Didn't have any talcum powder and I dislike the smell of baby powder!
I prefer my tarps not look like they have had seam sealer applied, so I like thinning down the silicone with white gas. Usually in the range of 4-6 parts white gas, per 1 part silicone. Thins down quite well, is easy to apply with a foam applicator brush, soaks into the seams well, and leaves a barely perceptible look of having been sealed. And most importantly, it does the job.
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