Light weight tarp material

[Pignut]

I am looking for a tarp material that is light weight and small to pack. Thought about parachute nylon. But (from another of my threads) not sure of its water proofness... or ability to hold a treatment... any thoughts...

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[oscari]

Parachute nylon isnt waterproof, but does stop light rain by allowing it to run down the inside after penetrating.Heavy rain comes straight through as a mist.
The most pactical material in terms of lightness and waterproofness that I have found is silnylon, not too expensive but not really cheap either.

 

[MartiniDave]

How about something like a garden seat cover from the pound shop? Very lightweight, waterproof & cheap, but not terribly robust. The one on the chair on my patio holds water very well. Of course, you'd have to modify it.

Dave

 

[Perrari]

Can you proof it yourself maybe ?? Nikwax or similar.

 

[Macaroon]

See the thread for cheap Lidl tarp posted in resources, £20 and the material seems reasonable stuff, taped seams etc.,...........atb mac

 

[theoctagon]

What's your budget?

If your feeling flush I'd go for cuben fiber, after that silnylon is a good choice. There are plenty of PU coated nylon fabrics available too which are reasonably light weight, I used a 2oz version for my MYOG Tarp


Matt

 

[maddave]

Look up "cuben fibre"... Great stuff but a bit "spendy"

Edit.... Octagon got there before me lol

 

[Pignut]

Wooooo spendy indeed

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[Pignut]

Are there any plastic ones which are worth while?

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[mousey]

I got a load of lightweight nylon from fabrics n stuff for £1 a metre. Made my own tarp out of that, I did proof it myself using fabsil [I've hear of people mixing silicone with white spirit themselves, or even using weather brick sealant - I'm not sure about the effectivness of those].

IIRC it was 2.8m long [alittle on the short side really] by 2.2m wide and weighed in around 870g [complete with ridgle line, tie-outs and stakes] I've been in a little rain but nothing heavy and has kept me dry - I really need to put it up and re-proof it again...

 

[Pignut]

Thanks all

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[Bucephalas]

You can totally proof parachute silk with Fabsil.
http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=105185&highlight=waterproof+parachute

 

[Pignut]

You can totally proof parachute silk with Fabsil.
http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=105185&highlight=waterproof+parachute

Not doubting you mate... I just wonder about its longevity. On another note. In your experience. Would painting it all with the silicone mix work?

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[Gray]

Not doubting you mate... I just wonder about its longevity. On another note. In your experience. Would painting it all with the silicone mix work?

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yeah i reckon it would, thats all fabsil is basically. My mates dad used to make his own with clear silicone and mix it with something, he said it was paraffin but i doubt that as it would never dry

 

[Pignut]

Think I will give it a shot on a spare bit of fabric

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[jtrent90]

point north (pro-fabrics) do a fabric called silicone elastomer nylon which is fairly well proofed,

as far as packability, its about halfway between your standard ripstop pu nylon and silnylon.