[at-l] Re: [hikersRus] Seam Sealer

[janl2@mindspring.com (Jan Leitschuh)]

Gary,
I saved this great post from Ron Moak in my files for over a year.
I've used this and it works. Just have lots of projects handy (or call a
friend who has some - there will be plenty left over!)
Jan

> Gary Roberts wrote:
> >
> > I'd like to know what types of seam sealer you guys use?  I've used this
> > alcohol based roll-on type (can't remember the brand) before and I was not
> > impressed.  I had to roll it into the seams like an antiperspirant.  I
> > didn't like it very much.  I'd like to get different methods used by
> > different people.

 Date: Sat, 13 Oct 2001 15:07:57 -0000
   From: "Ron Moak" <fallingwater@fallingwater.com>
Subject: Seam Sealing Silicone Coated Nylon Seams

Ryan recently mentioned difficulty with using the typical 50/50 GE
Silicone II mixed with Mineral Spirits. His preference was to use the
commercial product McNett's Silnet for waterproofing the seams. It's
probably a pretty good product, though I can't say I've ever used it.
At 5$ to 8$ (plus shipping) per 1.5 ounce tube that will seal
approximately 40 feet of seams, it's a bit expensive for my taste.

Using the Silicone / Mineral Spirits mix can also be a bit of a pain.
For many people, it tends to clump up and not mix well. Resulting in
a messy application.  In the last couple of months, working on a half
dozen tent designs, I've found a way to make the mix work well.

I make a mix of 2 parts Mineral Spirits to 1 part GE Silicone II. If
you have a digital scale that can be reset to zero, this is easy to
do. Just place your container on the scale (a 1 lb coffee can or
large glass jar) reset the scale to zero. Add an ounce or so of
Silicone caulk, reset to zero. Finally add a couple of ounces of
Mineral Spirits.

When you're at the hardware store getting your Silicone and Mineral
Spirits, pickup a couple of other items as well. Get one of those
handy paint mixers that fit into your power drill. It'll cost a
couple of bucks and can be used over and over again. Also pickup
several foam paint brushes (3/4 to 1 inch wide).

Now using the power drill paint mixer, mix your Silicone / Spirit mix
for 30 seconds to a minute. When you're done you'll find the Silicone
is thoroughly incorporated and will flow easily. It should be pretty
thin so that it'll flow easily into the thread holes and between the
seams. I use the foam paint brush to apply a thin coat to the seam to
be sealed. It takes about 24 hours for the Silicone caulk to totally
cure, but I've found it to be pretty set after 12 hours.

You can store the excess sealer for later applications. I store my
excess mix in small glass jars with tight fitting lids. I simply pour
in the excess in the jar then pour a thin layer of Mineral Spirits
over the mix. This layer will keep any air in the jar from the mix.

To keep the cost down, I get the 10 oz tubes of GE Silicone II
Kitchen and Bath caulk (clear not white caulk). It can be purchased
at your local Home Depot for about $5 per tube. These tubes are the
kind that go into caulk guns. You can also get smaller squeeze tubes
that hold 2 ounces. Buying the bulk caulk and a quart of Mineral
Spirits, I can make over $100 worth of Silnet for less than $10.

Fallingwater


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