I know this is here somewhere. When seamsealing a CCS tarp, do you do outside, inside, both? What's the best product for this? I have a small drip from the center area. The tarp is maybe 10 years old. Thanks.

When I seam sealed by Tarptent, I took 100% silicone and diluted it to a nice runny but still tacky consistancy using mineral spirts. Then with a small brush, did both sides of the seam. Worked great.

And I mention my expirence with Tarptent because it is the same material as CCS tarps.

Here is a link for more information: Tarptent seam sealing FAQ

Dan's instructions state to seam seal the inside only. That's what I did. He includes a tube of McNett Silnet for this purpose when you buy a tarp.

unshaven pointed you right. As for the quad loop, that is more difficult to seal and may need application on both sides. Another member here suggests tapping off the seams to produce a nice sharp neat application, sounds like good advice!
Large flat work surface, dry well and a dusting of talc to keep from sticking.

butthead

thanks fellas!

I've just seam sealed my tarps and tents on the inside only. I am the one who tapes the seams so you get a nice edge and less waste and mess.

I seam seal the inside and out of my ccs on the middle ridgeline, and down the perpendicular middle nylon center lines. The edges will get water logged anyways. The idea is to keep water from seeping through the center of the tarp, I use it for as a hammock shelter.

I also follow the Tarptent instructions for seam sealing: thin GE silicone II w/Mineral spirits, brush on, wipe off. I seal from the outside as that will be the direction from which the water will be seaping.

quote OldFingers57: "I've just seam sealed my tarps and tents on the inside only. I am the one who tapes the seams so you get a nice edge and less waste and mess. "

Great idea, works super!

butthead

quote OldFingers57: "I've just seam sealed my tarps and tents on the inside only. I am the one who tapes the seams so you get a nice edge and less waste and mess. "

How do you get tape to stick to the tarp? I just patched my tarp and wanted to tape for a nice edge but I can't find any tape that will to stick to it.

quote Northwoodsman: "

quote OldFingers57: "I've just seam sealed my tarps and tents on the inside only. I am the one who tapes the seams so you get a nice edge and less waste and mess. "

How do you get tape to stick to the tarp? I just patched my tarp and wanted to tape for a nice edge but I can't find any tape that will to stick to it."

Not answering for OldFingers but in my use plain old blue painters tape a few feet at a time will stay in place long enough, then advance to the next few feet. I did not try to do a full length seam in one shot.
Then again I do not regularly seam seal tarps, instead wait for leaks to develop then treat the leaky section.

butthead

That's what I used is just plain old painter's tape. I forgot if I used the blue or green tape as I have both types.

Besides all the good advice on how to seal a sil nylon tarp.
If it is leaking through the seams at the quad loop. The also do this.
Thin the silicon or Sil net and coat the top center webbing loop from the seam up about a 1/4" of the webbing. That helps keep water from wicking through. Also go over the seam that goes diagonally across the pole patch and through the quad loop with the diluted silicon to fill all the potential wicking spots.
Be careful you do not have the webbing loops fold down onto the tarp surface or they will adhere to the tarp.

Can't add too much more when the maker of the tarp chimes in.

For Silnylon or silpoly; I've always used Permatex Flowable Silicone sealant: $5 and can be found at any auto parts store.

Not sure if anyone said this already, but after I apply the sil-seal, I let it dry and spray on an aerosolized sil sealer from Gear Aid, that adds a little more water protection, but more importantly cuts the tackiness of the hand-applied sealer. Fold it up and store it without worry that it'll stick to itself.

quote Fizics: "Not sure if anyone said this already, but after I apply the sil-seal, I let it dry and spray on an aerosolized sil sealer from Gear Aid, that adds a little more water protection, but more importantly cuts the tackiness of the hand-applied sealer. Fold it up and store it without worry that it'll stick to itself. "

This solution might preempt my questions, but I'll ask anyway. How long does it usually take for sealant to "dry" so that the fabric won't stick to it, and should I expect the final result to be "tacky"? I last used seam sealant 20 years ago on an EMS tent I had, and the results were not pretty (lots of sticking in the corners), so I've been reluctant to seal my CCS tarp, which hasn't leaked in the 3+ years I've owned it. Praise be upon taped seams.

When I sealed mine I spread it out in my basement, placing heavy books at each corner to keep the shape, then worked from the center out at each seam, applying the Silnet with the small brush. I didn't tape off and just took my time. It took maybe forty five minutes to complete the task. I sealed the inside only and let it dry overnight. The next day it wasn't tacky and was ready to store.

quote fsupp: "

quote Fizics: "Not sure if anyone said this already, but after I apply the sil-seal, I let it dry and spray on an aerosolized sil sealer from Gear Aid, that adds a little more water protection, but more importantly cuts the tackiness of the hand-applied sealer. Fold it up and store it without worry that it'll stick to itself. "

This solution might preempt my questions, but I'll ask anyway. How long does it usually take for sealant to "dry" so that the fabric won't stick to it, and should I expect the final result to be "tacky"? I last used seam sealant 20 years ago on an EMS tent I had, and the results were not pretty (lots of sticking in the corners), so I've been reluctant to seal my CCS tarp, which hasn't leaked in the 3+ years I've owned it. Praise be upon taped seams."

I got this idea from a post of Dans himself on a similar topic last year (post might have been older), he suggested a product that actually got bought out by Gear Aid, I forgot what the old product was called. Micks Thunder Spray? Something with a name, weather, and then spray lol. Anyways, I had my tarp hanging in my garage while I did this, it was dry to the touch, wouldn't smear, but it was really tacky until I used this additional sealer. I added the spray on a few days later, but could have 24 hrs after I'd say. I read another post of a guys horror story with his tarp, kinda like yours, and I didn't want to risk it lol.

quote Fizics: "Not sure if anyone said this already, but after I apply the sil-seal, I let it dry and spray on an aerosolized sil sealer from Gear Aid, that adds a little more water protection, but more importantly cuts the tackiness of the hand-applied sealer. Fold it up and store it without worry that it'll stick to itself. "

Interesting: I always just thought it had to get 'broken in' : Just use it a couple times and it will get enough dirt/pollen/pine duff on it to not be tacky anymore.

Thanks very much for your reply, Fizics!

quote muddyfeet: "

quote Fizics: "Not sure if anyone said this already, but after I apply the sil-seal, I let it dry and spray on an aerosolized sil sealer from Gear Aid, that adds a little more water protection, but more importantly cuts the tackiness of the hand-applied sealer. Fold it up and store it without worry that it'll stick to itself. "

Interesting: I always just thought it had to get 'broken in' : Just use it a couple times and it will get enough dirt/pollen/pine duff on it to not be tacky anymore. "

It was gonna be a while in the bag before the trip :P. I read that throwing baby powder on it will do the same thing, but then I'd have weird white strips.