Plastic Painters Tarp Taboo in 2mil

**geneaut** · 02-04-2016, 09:22

I made a 4mm 10'x10' that I kept continuously hanging in my backyard for over 3 months straight. I only 'retired' it when I had another DIY project that needed the hanging space. Except for the plastic getting hazy, and a few places where the tape had just barely started delaminating from the plastic it was in great condition. I didn't do any edge protection at all.

I made two different styles of tie-outs using duct tape or Gorilla tape. Both held fine.

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The 4mm plastic was obviously much heavier than your 2mm, and now I'm thinking of making one in 2mm like yours.

They are great to sit under on a pretty day. Not fun to sleep under on a bright moonlit night

. They do make 2mm plastic sheeting in black if that is a concern for anyone.

**slugbait** · 02-04-2016, 10:46

An alternative to using tape is tying guyline to corner with a sheet bend knot. For tie outs not on corners (such as ridgeline) you can cut a screw cap and the corresponding threaded half off of a beverage container. I use the ones found on cream cartons, almond milk etc. Use a heated nail to melt a tiny hole through the cap and pass the end of the guyline through the hole, ending with a bulky knot. Sandwich the tarp between the threaded half and the cap and tighten.

**dudeman_atl** · 02-04-2016, 12:37

https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...d.php?t=106671

WV · 02-04-2016, 12:51

This brought back memories. For a lighter look at this topic, see my Cubenist Manifesto.

**kg8jk** · 02-04-2016, 18:13

Originally Posted by Mitroxis

I didn't use a template. It is just a rectangular cut.

Thanks, do you have the dimensions, what size tarp you started with and where you placed the tie outs? I would really like to try this myself.

Dirk

**Mitroxis** · 02-04-2016, 19:18

It's a 9'x12' painters tarp. I cut about a foot and a half from the 12' side. I reinforced all of the edges with duct tape and then taped grosgain at all 4 corners on each side. The same with the ridgeline and 3' inward from each corner. Also, its in the 2nd day. We've had sustained 10mph wind. So far no problems.
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**Dcolon13** · 02-04-2016, 19:45

Nice job. I wonder if there will be any problems with it stretching? Also, seems like a few people had good results with long term exposed use, but my experience with a 6mm poly greenhouse last year was that it pretty much became paper after 6 months.

**Mitroxis** · 02-04-2016, 20:03

It doesn't stretch at the reinforced areas. It's actually more resilient than I thought it would be. I believe that prolonged UV exposure will destroy it...but that will destroy a lot of things.

**james_e84** · 02-04-2016, 21:23

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Here's mine, it's a full 9 x 12, 2 mil with duct tape reinforcement & tie outs... I'm anxious to see how it holds up over time. Only slept in it once... I like the door concept...

**geneaut** · 02-05-2016, 08:26

Originally Posted by Dcolon13

Nice job. I wonder if there will be any problems with it stretching? Also, seems like a few people had good results with long term exposed use, but my experience with a 6mm poly greenhouse last year was that it pretty much became paper after 6 months.

6 months is like, what, 180+ days. If you are only using a tarp like this a few days a month that could be years of use.

UV is the killer of products like this. When it's not being exposed to the UV it's not really degrading much.