Seam Sealer

aft paddle · 07-30-2008, 08:34 AM

I've been using the same Eureka Sunrise tent for the last three or four years and need recommendations on using seam sealer. As yet I haven't had any leaks but not sure how long that can last considering its age and some of the downpours its gone through. Should seams be sealed regularly, what's the best way to apply, etc? What's the expected lifespan of a moderately used tent like this before considering replacement?

Dick · 07-30-2008, 09:20 AM

We do ours once per year, and have never had problems. Personally I would do it more often than every 3-4 years. Here are a couple of links that might be of interest:

http://www.eurekatent.com/tent_care.aspx
http://www.headbaby.com/getagrip.htm

Dick

111t · 07-30-2008, 02:54 PM

I've used the kenyon seam sealer 3. I got it at wal-mart. seems to work fine. It should definitely last a couple of years once applied.

lumberzac · 07-30-2008, 04:34 PM

For any one that has a sil nylon shelter, off the shelf seam sealer will not stick to the nylon and will not seal the seams. Mixing GE Silicone II Clear Sealer with mineral spirits or white gas will make a paste that you can brush on the seams.

redhawk · 07-30-2008, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lumberzac

For any one that has a sil nylon shelter, off the shelf seam sealer will not stick to the nylon and will not seal the seams. Mixing GE Silicone II Clear Sealer with mineral spirits or white gas will make a paste that you can brush on the seams.

That's the best method I know.

Note that Zac said "Silicone"

That's important, to know what material your tent is made from. It does affect the sealer you should use.

Please make sure you seal your seams (or waterproof the tent for that matter), well in advance of using it. The fumes are not only toxic, they are highly votile as well and a simple spark from the fire can ignite it.

Hawk

Dick · 07-30-2008, 09:30 PM

Keeping Zac's and Redhawk's good warning advice in mind:

http://www.hammockcamping.com/Free%2...s/Silnylon.htm
http://www.imrisk.com/seamsealer/seamsealer.htm
http://www.basegear.com/mcnett-sil-net.html
http://www.bdel.com/gear/silnet.php
http://mcnett.baron-co.com/page.cfm?pageID=553

Dick

Hobbitling · 07-30-2008, 09:57 PM

It's a good idea to dust the seam with talcum powder after the sealer dries, it eliminates the tackiness and keeps the whole thing from sticking to itself when you pack it.

randomscooter · 07-31-2008, 07:04 AM

I've had excellent results with the McNett products Seam Grip and SilNet. Seam Grip is almost miraculous. I've run a bead of it over a 6" long tear in rubber boots, then pulled the boots on over my hiking boots for years without the repair failing.

The McNett website had excellent instructions on sealing tents, etc.

07-30-2008, 08:34 AM	#1
aft paddle Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Northern Greene County Posts: 291	Seam Sealer I've been using the same Eureka Sunrise tent for the last three or four years and need recommendations on using seam sealer. As yet I haven't had any leaks but not sure how long that can last considering its age and some of the downpours its gone through. Should seams be sealed regularly, what's the best way to apply, etc? What's the expected lifespan of a moderately used tent like this before considering replacement?

07-30-2008, 02:54 PM	#3
111t Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Olean NY USA Earth Posts: 132	I've used the kenyon seam sealer 3. I got it at wal-mart. seems to work fine. It should definitely last a couple of years once applied. __________________

07-30-2008, 04:34 PM	#4
lumberzac Beware of the Lumberzac Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: country of the lakes and the crooked stream Posts: 1,730	For any one that has a sil nylon shelter, off the shelf seam sealer will not stick to the nylon and will not seal the seams. Mixing GE Silicone II Clear Sealer with mineral spirits or white gas will make a paste that you can brush on the seams. __________________ A man needs to believe in something. I believe I'll go hiking. http://community.webshots.com/user/lumberzac

07-30-2008, 09:57 PM	#7
Hobbitling spring fever Join Date: May 2006 Location: Rochester area Posts: 2,236	It's a good idea to dust the seam with talcum powder after the sealer dries, it eliminates the tackiness and keeps the whole thing from sticking to itself when you pack it. __________________ He found himself wondering at times, especially in the autumn, about the wild lands, and strange visions of mountains that he had never seen came into his dreams.

07-31-2008, 07:04 AM	#8
randomscooter Native Earthling Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Scooterville, NY Posts: 1,500	I've had excellent results with the McNett products Seam Grip and SilNet. Seam Grip is almost miraculous. I've run a bead of it over a 6" long tear in rubber boots, then pulled the boots on over my hiking boots for years without the repair failing. The McNett website had excellent instructions on sealing tents, etc. __________________ Scooting here and there Through the woods and up the peaks Random Scoots awaits (D.P.) "Pushing the limits of easy."™

07-30-2008, 09:20 AM	#2
Dick somewhere out there... Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: avatar: Patagonia Posts: 2,822	We do ours once per year, and have never had problems. Personally I would do it more often than every 3-4 years. Here are a couple of links that might be of interest: http://www.eurekatent.com/tent_care.aspx http://www.headbaby.com/getagrip.htm Dick

07-30-2008, 09:30 PM	#6
Dick somewhere out there... Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: avatar: Patagonia Posts: 2,822	Keeping Zac's and Redhawk's good warning advice in mind: http://www.hammockcamping.com/Free%2...s/Silnylon.htm http://www.imrisk.com/seamsealer/seamsealer.htm http://www.basegear.com/mcnett-sil-net.html http://www.bdel.com/gear/silnet.php http://mcnett.baron-co.com/page.cfm?pageID=553 Dick

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