Removing SeamSil from tarp???

**tontus** · 03-27-2014, 07:13

Hi guys,
I need some help here. I recently received a wilderness logics OMW. I started sealing the seams with some Mcnett and things were fine...then i ran out and switched to a tube of sea to summit seamsil. 24hrs later the sealant has not dried and is still almost as tacky as when i applied. ie when i put my finger on it the sealant comes off on my fingers. I am trying to remove it with some 70% iso on a small area and am having some mild success but was wondering if this would harm the sil coating on the tarp and if you guys may have some better suggestions, I hope I have not ruined a new tarp!!

**gargoyle** · 03-27-2014, 09:10

Mineral spirits.

**tontus** · 03-27-2014, 09:59

Thanks Gargoyle! will give it a go, not sure if i can find this stuff here in Thailand, from what i gather its basically turpentine? will it harm the silnylon at all?

**turnerminator** · 03-27-2014, 10:08

For silicone that struggles to set, washing it with clean water often helps it go off. It washes the acetic acid out of the sealant and allows moisture in.

**gmcttr** · 03-27-2014, 10:29

Low temps and low humidity will both slow the cure of silicone sealants. If these are low, raise both. Moisture reacts with the stabilizer allowing for curing.

**gargoyle** · 03-27-2014, 10:38

Mineral spirits is a common mix agent in diy seam sealer. No it wont hurt the sil tarp. Many of us do a diy blend of 100% clear silicone window and door caulk and spirits. Mix ratio is 4-5 parts spirits to 1 part silicone. Mix well till all the silicone is dissolved. Use a disposable can or jar (the spirits can dissolve thru thin plastic cups or foam cups.) A little bit goes a long way, so dont do a big batch. Approx. a teaspoon of sil to four or five teaspoons of spirits is plenty for one rl.
Apply to seam with a small paintbrush. Allow to dry for ~24 hours. Either pitch the tarp outdoors when good weather is available for curing. Or pitch it indoors and let cure.
The mineral spirit/silicone mix will soak thru the stitches and then the spirits evaporate, leaving a thin, nearly undetectable seal along the needle holes.
Discard any excess, as the mix will gel in the container within 20 minutes. I use a small kids paintbrush, both to stir with and apply.

**nuttysquirrel** · 03-27-2014, 15:21

I think your problem is that seam seal is for urethane coated nylon only. I don't think it will adhere well to sill.

**tontus** · 03-28-2014, 08:00

Gargoyle, thanks a lot man! the mineral spirits or equivalent that i managed to find here is working quite well! With a bit of talc on top of the softened Sillicone helps to roll into balls that can be removed....tarp seems to be saved!

Nutty, its a silicone sealer made of supposedly 100% silicone that can also supposedly be used on PU...regardless i strongly advise against using it seeing what happened to me!