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  1. #1
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    10x10 4mil Clear Tarp

    I have two nylon 9x9 tarps that I like, but I've been reading about some other people making clear tarps from either polycro, plastic sheeting, or even clear shower curtains. After thinking about those projects I thought I'd whip together a prototype of my own.

    Materials:

    Duck Tape Brand White Duct Tape
    4mil Clear Plastic Sheeting ( 10x25 roll )
    3/8" reflective cord

    I simply cut a 10X10 square from the 10X25 roll. I then fashioned tie outs from the duct tape, and loops of the 3/8" cord.

    I have it hanging in the backyard test lab.

    This version is a testbed. I am testing the tie-out system, and also seeing how robust the 4mil plastic is without any reinforcement.


  2. #2
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    Detail of the tie-outs. All 4 are constructed the same.


  3. #3
    2Questions's Avatar
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    Creating and testing your design and theory is fun and often will lead to a great innovation. HF is full of stories that started just like yours. Have fun.

    I do suspect however, that UV light will make a short life of 4 mil plastic. I once used it to make bags filled with small stones. They were used as weights on a sand filter bed. It was less than a month in the summer sun and heat before they turned into a shredded pile of plastic and stones. I ended up replacing all the plastic bags with bricks!

    I'm sure you will gain knowledge from your testing...even if the plastic does as I suspect...but will push you down the road to something you will be proud of....something to call your own.
    2QZQ Hammock Specialties
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  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by 2Questions View Post
    Creating and testing your design and theory is fun and often will lead to a great innovation. HF is full of stories that started just like yours. Have fun.

    I do suspect however, that UV light will make a short life of 4 mil plastic. I once used it to make bags filled with small stones. They were used as weights on a sand filter bed. It was less than a month in the summer sun and heat before they turned into a shredded pile of plastic and stones. I ended up replacing all the plastic bags with bricks!

    I'm sure you will gain knowledge from your testing...even if the plastic does as I suspect...but will push you down the road to something you will be proud of....something to call your own.
    Good point with the UV. For $10 I'm not out much if it doesn't work

    My 'long term' plan is to use the remaining plastic on the roll to make a 10X12 winter tarp with doors. As such, it would get pretty limited use anyway. The 10X10 is also a test of how big that size is versus my 9X9s. I already discovered the diagonal ridgeline on the 10X10 barely fits in between my test-bed trees that easily hold my 9X9s

  5. #5
    Herder of Cats OutandBack's Avatar
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    Many folks only deploy there tarps in the evening when the UV is very low or its dark and some don't deploy unless it looks like rain.
    If deployed only when needed it could last you a long time.
    Since it's clear there is never a reason to use it for shade which is where the highest UV exposure would be.

    Love the idea and wish you luck in your testing I hope you will keep us posted with good and or bad results we all learn form experiments like this.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by OutandBack View Post
    Many folks only deploy there tarps in the evening when the UV is very low or its dark and some don't deploy unless it looks like rain.
    If deployed only when needed it could last you a long time.
    Since it's clear there is never a reason to use it for shade which is where the highest UV exposure would be.

    Love the idea and wish you luck in your testing I hope you will keep us posted with good and or bad results we all learn form experiments like this.
    I am going to return here with results ... good or bad

  7. #7
    Senior Member Otter1's Avatar
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    Cool!

    How much does she weigh?

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Funny Money View Post
    Cool!

    How much does she weigh?
    I am not sure. I will weigh it if it survives the durability test. However, it doesn't feel light. I suspect this will only be a car camping tarp if it pans out.

  9. #9
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    Three days in with no noticeable issues. The weather hasn't been an issue so far.


  10. #10
    Senior Member backpacker's Avatar
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    Nicely done. Love to see peoples DIY projects.

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