Ideal Seam Sealants for Waterproof Tents
If you have actually ever before awakened in a moist sleeping bag halfway via an outdoor camping trip, there's a great chance the offender wasn't your camping tent's fabric in all. It was the seams. Also one of the most pricey water resistant camping tents have hundreds of small needle openings running along their sewn joints, and in time, factory-applied tape or sealant can peel away, split, or wear thin. That's where joint sealer is available in. An excellent seam sealant restores your outdoor tents's waterproofing and can add years to its life. Below's what you need to recognize before you acquire.
Why Seam Sealing Issues
Outdoor tents material itself is generally treated with a waterproof or waterproof coating, however the joints are a different tale. Every stitch penetrates the material, developing a prospective entrance factor for water. Manufacturers usually use seam tape at the factory, yet this tape has a shelf life. Warm, UV direct exposure, repeated folding, and general wear create it to raise at the edges. When that takes place, water will discover its method throughout any genuine rainstorm. Securing your seams, whether for the first time or as regular upkeep, is one of the least expensive and most reliable methods to keep your sanctuary genuinely water resistant.
Sorts Of Joint Sealers
Seam sealers normally come under a few categories, and choosing the ideal one relies on your tent's material.
Silicone-based sealers function best on silnylon and silicone-coated textiles. These textiles don't bond well with polyurethane-based products, so a specialized silicone sealant is crucial for a durable repair work. They have a tendency to be a little bit messier to use and often need to be thinned with a solvent, but they produce an adaptable, long-lasting seal.
Polyurethane-based sealants are the even more common option and work well on polyester or nylon camping tents with a polyurethane (PU) finishing, which explains the huge bulk of spending plan and mid-range outdoors tents on the market. These sealers go on like a thick liquid and cure into a flexible, rubbery strip that flexes with the fabric instead of breaking.
Seam tape is a third option, more often utilized at the factory but also available for home repair work. It's an iron-on or adhesive-backed tape that covers the seam directly. It can be exceptional for quick fixes yet is typically less resilient in time than a correctly applied liquid sealer.
Leading Joint Sealant Picks
Equipment Help Seam Grip WP is one of the most widely advised all-purpose sealants. It's polyurethane-based, dries out clear, continues to be versatile in cold weather, and deals with tents, rain jackets, tent cots and tarps alike. It's a great default choice if you're not exactly sure which textile layer your tent has, given that it works with many polyurethane and PVC-coated textiles.
Equipment Aid Seam Grasp SIL is the silicone-specific equivalent, developed for silnylon and silpoly camping tents. If you own an ultralight backpacking outdoor tents, there's a great chance it utilizes this material, so check your outdoor tents's specifications before defaulting to a PU sealant.
Kenyon Recreational Textile Sealer is another trusted alternative, especially favored by veteran campers for its longevity and simplicity of application with the included brush applicator.
Coghlan's Seam Sealant is an economical option that performs reliably for periodic campers who do not require industrial-grade sturdiness but desire trustworthy protection for weekend break trips.
McNett Seam Grasp Camping Tent Fabric Fixing Tape is worth having in your pack as a backup. It will not replace a complete sealing job, yet it's indispensable for patching an abrupt leak or tear in the field.
How to Use Seam Sealant Properly
Preparation issues more than the item itself. Begin by pitching your tent totally so the seams rest under natural tension, which mimics just how they'll behave in actual use. Tidy the seams with rubbing alcohol to eliminate dirt, oils, and old sealer residue, after that let them dry entirely.
Apply a slim, even layer of sealant directly over the sewing, extending a little past the seam on both sides. Prevent globbing it on, given that thick applications can fracture much more quickly and take much longer to heal. Many sealants need at least several hours, and often a complete 1 day, to cure properly, so plan this task well prior to your following trip rather than the evening prior to.
Final Thoughts
A tube of joint sealer sets you back a fraction of what a brand-new tent does, and applying it takes an afternoon at most. Whether you pick a silicone formula for an ultralight silnylon shelter or a traditional polyurethane sealant for a family camping outdoor tents, remaining on top of joint maintenance is among the easiest means to assure dry, comfy nights outdoors for many years to find.
