Tarp from a Tablecloth

**SteveS** · 07-27-2012, 12:48

I tried the bed sheet tarp with limited success:
Tarp from a King bed sheet

I got hung up on the SilNylon treatment, and we settled in on the problem being a mix of low thread-count and 60/40 cotton/poly.

I'm looking at doing a diamond tarp from a tablecloth. Since these are crinkle taffeta (100% nylon a.f.a.i.k.) and have a dense weave, they should resolve both problems in one shot.

I think it should work something like this:

I'm going to mock one up in construction plastic before I order the tablecloth, to see what the coverage is going to be like but I think this is a go unless someone sees a problem......

**old4hats** · 07-27-2012, 15:19

Take your time, but please hurry up with the report, inquiring minds want to know.

**Pipsissewa** · 07-28-2012, 05:49

Stevo: I believe crinkle taffeta is 100 % polyester, not nylon. I don't know what impact (if any) that will have on your ambitious project. Best of luck with the silicone! Let us know how it turns out!

**BrianWillan** · 07-28-2012, 10:10

Originally Posted by Pipsissewa

Stevo: I believe crinkle taffeta is 100 % polyester, not nylon. I don't know what impact (if any) that will have on your ambitious project. Best of luck with the silicone! Let us know how it turns out!

You are correct the crinkle taffeta tablecloths everyone is using lately is polyester. The other issue is that is weighs 2.5 oz/yd^2 before any treatment is applied. One can buy 70d coated nylons for good prices and the weight would be about the same as the tablecloth.

So if the original poster is doing this for weight savings, there will be little to none. If doing it for cost savings then I say have at it and report back on how well it works.

Cheers

Brian

**hppyfngy** · 07-28-2012, 10:59

No offense but why are you trying this? It will be heavy as Brian points out. Probably as heavy as a WallyWorld tarp for $7.

But I'm curious too as I've never had real success with full on DIY sil treatment of anything but seams...

YMMV!

**SteveS** · 07-29-2012, 20:11

I'm thinking of doing this as a low cost no/sew (or cat cut only) tarp. I just completed a King size bed sheet tarp, but the sil treatment took two coats, and I'm not super happy with the results. I'm hoping that the sil will treat the dense synthetic taffeta better than it did the cotton/poly blend.

**gmcttr** · 07-29-2012, 22:54

Originally Posted by SteveS

...I'm hoping that the sil will treat the dense synthetic taffeta better than it did the cotton/poly blend.

I wouldn't consider this a dense weave at all. The photo is the polyester crinkle tablecloth with a light behind it. The light colored lines are where the weave was actually opened up when the crinkles were formed. This material will take multiple coats of silicone to seal it up.

Save yourself some trouble and dollars by starting with the proper material. There is a reason it works. You're already out the cost of the sheet, silicone, mineral spirits, brush, etc. and are about to repeat the process and you will still need to hem the cut edges, tie outs etc. Just my .02, YMMV, HYOH......

gmcttr (the crusher of dreams)

**SteveS** · 07-30-2012, 09:21

Originally Posted by gmcttr

Save yourself some trouble and dollars by starting with the proper material. Just my .02, YMMV, HYOH......

gmcttr (the crusher of dreams)

Yeah, I think I'm starting to get the idea. I have a 1.9 silnylon and a Cuben, both 4 season. I am well familiar with what proper materials will do for you (love the cuben). I'd like to be able to crank out some cheap tarps that look like the real thing. I guess this is not the way to go.

gmttcr, not the crusher of dreams, the preventer of failed project frustration. I appreciate the insight.