Seam sealing

[ScottH]

What is the preferred method of seam sealing a sil-nylon shelter? Outside, inside or both?

 

[Becca]

After encountering leaks along the seam tape on brand new shelters, Luke and I seam seal all our shelters inside and out before we take them into the field. It's cheap insurance, for minimal time investment.

Here is a video we put together a while back showing our method:

http://vimeo.com/41216093

 

[AK Troutbum]

After encountering leaks along the seam tape on brand new shelters, Luke and I seam seal all our shelters inside and out before we take them into the field. It's cheap insurance, for minimal time investment.

Here is a video we put together a while back showing our method:

http://vimeo.com/41216093

I do the same thing, both inside and out. A lot of folks think it's overkill, I just think it's good insurance, and I've never had a seam leak.

 

[duchntr]

I have always done both inside and outside seams,next time I'll probably just do the exterior seams though

 

[kyle1112]

The guy who creates an effective aerosol flexible seam sealer is gonna make some good money! It would such a time saver than the little brushes you have to use.

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

Silicone grout sealer comes in an aerosol can and works though it requires several coats and can potentially discolor the fabric a bit. I've been meaning to make a video to show how it works I'll try and do that within the next week or so.

 

[Brock A]

Silicone grout sealer comes in an aerosol can and works though it requires several coats and can potentially discolor the fabric a bit. I've been meaning to make a video to show how it works I'll try and do that within the next week or so.

Lay a bead, lick your finger and flatten it. Its the easiest way I found to apply silicone. On anything. I have emptied 100's of tubes when I used to work on sprint cars. This is by far the best way. No need to dilute it either.

 

[kyle1112]

Brock you just use standard silicone? Not the seam sealer type

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

Lay a bead, lick your finger and flatten it. Its the easiest way I found to apply silicone. On anything. I have emptied 100's of tubes when I used to work on sprint cars. This is by far the best way. No need to dilute it either.

I agree that a tube of silicone caulk is just not that difficult to use. I was just giving the aerosol is another option.

 

[Brock A]

Brock you just use standard silicone? Not the seam sealer type

I go to the hardware store and get the clear flexible stuff that you use around your bathroom tub. Same stuff Kifaru sends when you buy a shelter.

 

[kyle1112]

Oh ok I was thinking everyone was buying the little tubes of sil swam sealer lol ok that's not hard at all

 

[Stid2677]

This works well, just brush it onto seams...it FLOWS.

http://www.permatex.com/products-2/...wable-silicone-windshield-glass-sealer-detail

 

[realunlucky]

This works well, just brush it onto seams...it FLOWS.

http://www.permatex.com/products-2/...wable-silicone-windshield-glass-sealer-detail

You don't mix with mineral spirits to thin it? I might try it full strength on my project tent

 

[Stid2677]

Straight from the tube, not as thick like regular silicone.

 

[realunlucky]

Thanks Stid wondered if it would penetrate the seam. That's what I've been using on the reinforcement pieces so far

 

[justin davis]

I Seam seal the outside. Unless it's a real tall tipi and then I do the inside. No need to do both in my opinion. I just pitch the shelter real tight and then rub silicone on with my finger.

 

[Biggs300]

My hunting buddy and I seam-sealed our Seek Outside 6-man tipi on the inside only using a single tube of GE Silicon Sealant straight from the tube, using our fingers. It withstood 4 different mountain rainstorms (2 fairly heavy storms) in CO during a 2nd rifle season elk hunt a couple of weeks ago. We had no leaks whatsoever.

 

[Kevin_t]

You can seam seal inside or outside. Outside is fundamentally a bit better, but inside works pretty well and is much easier on larger tents. Another option with Seek Outside tents at least is to pitch them inside out and then seam seal.
As far as seam sealer , GE clear silicone works as does Mcnett Silnet. Both can be thinned which can look better or worse depending, but both can also be put on with a finger as well. I usually just rub it with my finger. Personally, I rarely seam seal my tents, as I have an interest in how well they do without seam sealing, which is usually pretty well, however if I did not have this interest, I would spend the time and seam seal no doubt.