I was cleaning my MacCat today and noticed that the silnylon "doors" I have still bead up when wet but the main fly no longer does. The doors were added 2 years ago to the 5 year old MacCat. Is there a lifespan for silnylon? Should I be watching for signs of leakage? Currently it does not leak but it makes me wonder if UV light or heat or whatever is starting to degrade the sil. Any thoughts on sil lifespan?
2QZQ Hammock Specialties
Specializing in:
Hennessy Hammock zipper modifications
Sewn on Tarp doors, Pole Pockets, and Grizz Beaks
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From what I've read there seems to be a slight removal of the silicone treatment every time it is washed or when it encounters a heavy rain. The recommended method for countering this is to reapply a silicone treatment to the fabric once a year. This may be overkill or a recommendation for really really heavy use, but a touch up when you notice it isn't performing the way it used to seems pretty reasonable.
UV degradation is possible with nylon, but the silicone treatment should help stay off the better part of that. Unless it's in a lot of direct sunlight, you shouldn't have much to worry about there.
Thanks Lost Cause.
I'm not experienced with retreatment on silnylon. Is it something that basically requires soaking it in a tub for a determined amount of time or is it a spray on approach? Any recommended brands of treatment?
2QZQ Hammock Specialties
Specializing in:
Hennessy Hammock zipper modifications
Sewn on Tarp doors, Pole Pockets, and Grizz Beaks
Ridgeline and gear organizers, peak storage bags, UQ protectors, 2QZQ tree table!
I've read several articles on the web about it but this is the only one I can remember the link to off the top of my head.
It recommends several different methods of treatment, but I think you can just go get a can or two of the spray and retreat. I think the ones at wally world are about five bucks or so.
Great article! Thanks again. I will take care of this this week and enjoy my MacCat for years to come.
2QZQ Hammock Specialties
Specializing in:
Hennessy Hammock zipper modifications
Sewn on Tarp doors, Pole Pockets, and Grizz Beaks
Ridgeline and gear organizers, peak storage bags, UQ protectors, 2QZQ tree table!
Yea im switching my sil out for spinn, hope its durable! Cant resist the weight cut =P
The way you can check porosity is the same technique used when you are doping kit plane skins or buying a used sail. You give it the "kiss test".
Essentially, you purse your lips and try to suck air through the silnylon. When you buy it new, it's pretty air tight - you can't suck any air through it. Heat, sunlight, and abrasion will break down the chemicals impregnated into the tarp. As time goes by, you'll notice that more and more air is coming through the fabric.
The method I use when I think the tarp might need to be waterproofed is to set it up and squirt it with a hose. If the water doesn't bead up, go inside and touch the fabric while the water is spraying on it. If it just gets your finger damp, you can probably wait. But, if it comes away wet, then you need to waterproof it.
The thing that probably breaks down most tarps is heat. That's because of how long it sits in your car on a hot summer days. Unless you're leaving your tarp up all day for several days on end, this kind of heat is the most destructive to the waterproofing chemicals in your tarp.
HTH
One more thing... the color of your tarp makes a difference in how quickly the waterproofing chemicals are stable. Blue, black, and dark green will generally destabilize more quickly than white, red, and yellow. It depends on how much heat is required to dye the tarp. More heat = faster destabilization.
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