Reddit reviews GEAR AID Seam Grip SIL Silicone Sealant for Silnylon Tents and Tarps, Clear, 1.5 oz (10440)
We found 6 Reddit comments about GEAR AID Seam Grip SIL Silicone Sealant for Silnylon Tents and Tarps, Clear, 1.5 oz (10440). Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Seal up to 24 ft of seams with 1.5 oz of this durable, clear adhesive that bonds permanently to silicone-treated (silynylon) tentsApply to ultra-light gear including silnylon backpacks; cures to a flexible, elastic seal that flexes and stretches with fabricCreates a long-lasting, waterproof seal that won’t peel or crack over time; not affected by extreme heat or coldAlso ideal for applying on silnylon tarps, shelters, and rainwear to keep water out (previously known as SIL Net)Packaging may vary
This is only $5 and meant for sil tents. Why not just use it?
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009RP8HO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I think it's a great idea to make your first pack with cheap ($$) stuff, and then spend money on later packs, once you've gained some knowledge, techniques, and preferences on what you like in a pack.
So, to address the other comments, presumably - I say, because I haven't tried it - you could use some fray-stop on your seams to help them hold. Maybe silicon seam sealer?
For the water, you could try and apply water resistance with a Wash in product, a spray, or some people do wash and spray after. If washing, I'd do it before constructing, spray could happen after, but I'm hypothesizing, as I haven't used either.
Probably should still use a trash compactor liner but it would help keeping the water from weighing your pack down.
I've been using a bearpawwd 8x10 for a couple seasons and I am extremely satisfied. Do not use 550 cord for a tarp. It stretches way too much. Silnylon is already very stretchy and your tarp will sag a lot. Use a very low stretch poly line to secure your tarp. My preference is lawson glowire. I use bowline knots, taut line hitches and occasionally clove hitches. Make sure to seal the non perimeter tieouts as these have a tendency to leak when stretched.
Finally and most importantly is practice. My first couple pitches were rubbish. But, when you get the hang of it and start getting creative you can do just about anything with a tarp.
http://i.imgur.com/yIyK3N1.jpg
http://www.bearpawwd.com/tarps/flat_tarps.php
http://lawsonequipment.com/Cordage/Reflective-Glowire-p1024.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eG-xZFUVR-M
https://www.amazon.com/Gear-Aid-SilNet-Silicone-Sealer/dp/B0009RP8HO/
Gear Aid has some seam sealant products. Their silicone based sealant is for ultralight tents made with silnylon fabric. If your tent isn't made with silnylon, then your tent fabric has a urethane coating that should be seam sealed with their urethane based sealant.
Some people with silnylon tents prefer to make their own by mixing mineral spirits and GE Silicone II. That's partially because they want some extra to paint stripes on their tent floor so they don't slide around as much.
Best seam sealer:
https://www.amazon.com/Gear-Aid-Silicone-Sealant-Silnylon/dp/B0009RP8HO
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I'd question the need for a tent 'waterproofing spray'. Do you really need it? Is the tent not waterproof on it's own? It should be. If the tent is not waterproof - you should consider getting a new tent. A spray will be a poor bandaid on a major problem.
If they can't or won't it's exceedingly easy to do. Get this, thin it with mineral spirits to the consistency of thick tomato sauce, and apply.