How do I clean up the excess silicone?
My silpoly tarp had a large rip near one of the hems. I used silicone, thinned with mineral spirits to patch it. The patch is a piece of old silnylon I had lying around.
How can I clean up the excess silicone that surrounds the patch? Mineral spirits?
Also, I'm considering running some stitches around the edge of my patch to make sure it stays on. Will the silicone gum up my sewing machine?
Before it cures you can clean it with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol.
Afterwards, umm.... it's there for the duration.
Five Basic Principles of Going Lighter (not me... the great Cam Honan of OZ)
“If everybody is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking.” ~ Gen. George S Patton
My tube of GE Silicone II says to use mineral spirits for clean up of uncured product. I think you're gonna have to live with what you've got if it's cured.
Sorry, YES, mineral spirits.... I was just working with epoxy yesterday and had alcohol on my mind.
Actually you can use mineral spirits to thin the silicone and make it a bit easier to work with and to penetrate thread and thread holes better.
Five Basic Principles of Going Lighter (not me... the great Cam Honan of OZ)
“If everybody is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking.” ~ Gen. George S Patton
I think you have to use alcohol. Not on the fabric. Just to drink. Then, with a mellow buzz, you will hardly notice the excess.
In order to see what few have seen, you must go where few have gone. And DO what few have done.
Looks like I'm reduced to alcohol to drown my sorrows, minor though those sorrows be with regards to a bit of excess silicone on my tarp.
Don't worry, gives you instant "trail cred"Originally Posted by Baka Dasai
Five Basic Principles of Going Lighter (not me... the great Cam Honan of OZ)
“If everybody is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking.” ~ Gen. George S Patton
I would have sewed it prior to adding the silicone....now that it is cured your probably going to have to just deal with it there as you won't be able to get it off.
"Always pass on what you have learned" - Yoda
If you have some scrap material left over you could give this a try and if it works remove the worst of the excess from the tarp. Not too sure if this would effect the waterproofing on the tarp fabric or not though so maybe test that as well before getting carried away.
Funny video-ravenblack.
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