visibility paint/dye for silnylon?

[lebugman]

I like the idea of stealth camping, as I don't like to be an eyesore for anyone hiking nearby, but I'd also like to have a way to signal for help if I need to. I was thinking that the tarp is such a big piece of fabric, it would make a perfect "find me" signal. My idea is to paint big yellow and red circles on the underside of my tarp, so if I ever found myself lost or stranded, I could turn it upside down to display the circles. Otherwise, they would be facing my hammock, and not visible to anyone in the area.

Does anyone have ideas for what kinds of paints or dyes could work on silnylon? I don't want the paint getting all over my other gear, and the slickness of silnylon seems like it would make that a likely outcome.

[Knotty]

I don't think anything likes to stick to silicone. Would look at an alternate method of signaling.

[kayak karl]

i plan on ordering from this company http://www.kitebuilder.com/catalog/p...roducts_id/856 "Until now, painting ripstop and other nylons has been a difficult task. Other paints do not adhere to the slippery nylon and eventually peel off. Design Master paints are different."

[nothermark]

You might also consider a hammock chair/gear Hammock or a small dining tarp to get a couple of sq yards for signaling.

[gargoyle]

As thin as most tarp fabric is, painting one side would show thru the other, at least to some degree.
Paints tend to sick as long as the fabric is kept taut, folding and packing will allow the paint to crack and peel.
Carry a ground cloth in a bright color or use some of the other suggestions.

[bigbamaguy]

The stuff sack for hammock and underquilt is made from Blaze Orange silnylon. If I find myself stranded I can slice the stitching and have a 2' x 3' rectangle.

[kayak karl]

The stuff sack for hammock and underquilt is made from Blaze Orange silnylon. If I find myself stranded I can slice the stitching and have a 2' x 3' rectangle.

orange blaze pack cover also.

[Knotty]

i plan on ordering from this company http://www.kitebuilder.com/catalog/p...roducts_id/856 "Until now, painting ripstop and other nylons has been a difficult task. Other paints do not adhere to the slippery nylon and eventually peel off. Design Master paints are different."

Painting nylon ripstop is one thing. Painting silnylon is a whole different ball game.

[lebugman]

Painting nylon ripstop is one thing. Painting silnylon is a whole different ball game.

Shoot; I was hoping we came across a silver bullet concept!

I like having multiple uses for things I'm already bringing, and the tarp is such a big piece of fabric, it seems too good of an opportunity for signalling to pass up. I like the idea of using brightly colored stuff sacks, as I'd be needing these anyway. Unfortunately, most of mine are blue or green, but maybe when I need upgrading, I'll pick one up. Also, if I end up ordering an underquilt from a cottage industry, I'll see if they can make the top layer orange.


Actually, after doing some more searching, I came across a page that said these work well on silnylon: http://www.markal.com/prod/72/pro-ma...t-markers.aspx

[gargoyle]

I tried the paint pens and they flake off after a while..not a permanent thing on sil.

The good thing about all this is the sil is doing its job and not letting liquids penetrate.