Sil-poly field repair?

[slowhike]

My JRB tarp is ripstop polyester, silicone-coated on both sides.
I have only seen one recommendation for patching, if it should get a hole or tear.
That is to apply silicon, then a patch of Tenacious Tape, on both sides.

Sounds like field repair could be a challenge.
It could be managed but not sure how to carry a very small amount of silicon in my light kit, just in case.

Guess I'll just keep an eye out for widow makers and dead limbs, and hope I continue to be so fortunate as to not have a hole.

[joe_guilbeau]

Give this a shot.
https://www.gearaid.com/products/sea...nt=28044147153

[WalksIn2Trees]

tenacious tape just needs a clean surface, just wipe the affected area with alcohol wipes and allows to dry completely.

if you choose to treat the area with fresh silicone sealant first that will help it have a stronger bond but you should still clean the overlapping areas first.

do not try to patch it if it's at all wet, or even damp, it needs to be COMPLETELY dry. this goes for small pinhole leaks as well... if it's on the Ridgeline, you'll be stuck with it until the it stops raining.

if you get a small tear patch it ASAP, the longer you wait, the more chance it has to run the length of your tarp.

in a pinch, if you don't have Seam seal or patch kits, it's possible to use the "bottle cap trick" as a temporary way to hold things together, but keep in mind this is a total bodge, but it might work for a small time if you don't have any other options. it probably won't hold up to high winds though, and you will be compromising the structural integrity of the fabric you do it to.

overall the part to keep in mind is that as long as it's working to keep the gear that keeps you alive dry, don't freak out about the auxiliary things... like for example who cares if the threads around your guyline loops are leaking, that's way out at the edge of your tarp, you're down quilts won't get wet because of that, so tidy that up when you get home. a ridgeline leak you can't do anything about until it stops raining... usually they're right in the bottom of the sag, so covering it up isn't going to help any, the best thing you can do is get your quilts out of Dodge so they'll be as dry as possible when you need them.

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[WalksIn2Trees]

granted you usually don't notice you've got a leak until the morning after a rainstorm when you notice it's been dripping on your top quilt all night long while you're asleep

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[FLTurtle]

I use the clear Tenacious Tape repair tape...I keep a 3"x20" roll in my ditty bag with the rest of my odds and ends, including one of them small Swiss army knives with the scissors so I can cut out what I need.

https://www.gearaid.com/products/ten...nt=28044148753

[Countrybois]

My JRB tarp is ripstop polyester, silicone-coated on both sides.
I have only seen one recommendation for patching, if it should get a hole or tear.
That is to apply silicon, then a patch of Tenacious Tape, on both sides.

Sounds like field repair could be a challenge.
It could be managed but not sure how to carry a very small amount of silicon in my light kit, just in case.

Guess I'll just keep an eye out for widow makers and dead limbs, and hope I continue to be so fortunate as to not have a hole.

https://www.gearaid.com/products/ten...patch-silnylon

This is what you want.


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[WV]

I managed to burn a hole in my silpoly tarp while modifying it, and didn't notice it until I had set it up. My "temporary" field repair was a piece of packing tape on the outside and another one on the inside, so the two pieces of tape stuck to each other. The adhesive on packing tape isn't waterproof, and I expected the repair to come loose when the edges curled. That was more than a year ago. The tarp has been set up most of that time, through many rain and snow storms. The patch is right overhead, where I can see it. No signs of leakage, yet. YMMV.

(I expected to replace the packing tape with Tenacious Tape, but haven't got around to it. Either that or waterproof bandages, which are just as good. My first aid kit has a number of items that can repair wounded hikers or damaged gear.)

[cougarmeat]

> including one of them small Swiss army knives with the scissors so I can cut out what I need.

If you don't need the other Swiss army options (adding weight and bulk), a 50-cent pair of kids' scissors (found in the school supply aisle) works, plus they are great for opening Freeze Dried food packages.

[TominMN]

If you don't need the other Swiss army options ...

Like removing the cork from a wine bottle!

[cougarmeat]

What! Wine comes in something besides a cardboard box?