db wrote on Nov 21^st, 2011 at 6:21am:

After the solvent evaporates and the silicone cures (let's say a week or whatever) does any silicone transfer to your hands while handling the fly? How about longevity? Does it flake off - show any visual signs of what, de-lamination? Does the type of thinner make a difference? Anything better than white gas? If so, why?

db,

Once the silicone is cured it does not transfer to the hands or stick to itself when the tarp is folded. No signs of delamination or flaking off.

I don't know if there are any long term adverse effects of the solvent, I have not experienced any. I think any solvent that the silicone will dissolve in would work, I just used Coleman fuel because I had it on hand and it evaporates quickly. If I do it again I may try denatured alcohol just to see if it makes any difference.


DentonDoc wrote on Nov 21^st, 2011 at 4:01pm:

A last question (I hope).  I've read that when sewing a tarp that the stitching should not be too tight, leaving a little give in the seam so the tarp can stretch a little when under a load (e.g., wind).  Any suggestions here?  Would a stitch length of perhaps 1/8th inch be suitable for this purpose?  Longer?  Shorter? dd

dd,

My wife said she used a straight stitch, medium length, medium tension. The first one was sewn with cotton coated polyester, but the others were 100% polyester. I have noticed absolutely no difference, but I will go with the 100% poly or nylon in the future. Just seems better for outdoor use, even though it gets the silicone treatment.

These things have been under sustained wind loads and held up with no signs of stress, stretch, rips or tears. I think many tie outs make a difference, spreading the load. I take a lot of 550 cord on my trips to Quetico.

Pat

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