What type of seam sealer?

[wibowhunter]

I just bought a new tent. Wondering what everyone uses for seam sealer. Also, does anyone use spray-on waterproofing?:confused:

[zaneroni]

Re: What type of seam sealer?

What kind of tent?
I recently used a product called Aquatite on my canvas tent, but its good for nylon tents as well.

[renodesertfox]

Re: What type of seam sealer?

When you buy a new tent the seams aren't sealed. If you use this tent without sealing the seams they will become wicks that allow water to seep into the tent. It doesn't have to rain for this to occur. Morning dew will have the same consequence. You can waterproof the tent seams very easily.

Buy a bottle of seam sealer for a few dollars at a sporting goods store.
Set your tent up outdoors on a dry sunny day.

The seam sealer comes in a bottle with an applicator top. Shake the bottle, open the cap, and apply seam sealer to all threads (inside and out) while the tent is erected.

Allow the sealer to dry for a few hours.
Repeat the application, and allow the seams to dry thoroughly.
Don't forget to also seal the seams on your rain fly. Inside & out!

This process accomplishes two tasks. Not only does it help to waterproof your tent, but it gives you a chance to learn how to set it up. Never go camping with a new tent that has not been seam sealed, and which you have not practiced setting up. If you tent camp a lot, it's a good idea to reseal the seams every year.

Quality tents come with seams that are factory taped, which is not the same as sealed. Taped seams have a waterproof material placed between overlapped seams, which are then double stitched. This sewing technique adds to the strength of the seam and helps eliminate any gaps when the tent is stretched. These seams will be more water-resistant than normal seams, but they are not water-proof. The seams should still be sealed to ensure the best water-proof protection. Just trying to be helpful here.

Just because you read the directions for setting up your new tent doesn't mean you have to do that way every time. Every-time police aren't real. And the more a person sets up their tent the more you will fine tune your own procedure. It's easier setting up a tent with two people, but if there is only one person to set up a big tent...don't fret, just set it up a little bit at a time. Most sections come in threes, just set up one section at a time. First on one side of the tent then the other. Sure it may take a little longer, but just make sure when you set it up you're away from any appointments to see your investor, your preacher or anyone else you can think of. Camping is an enjoyable pastime. Enjoy it. When life ends then it's too late to enjoy it. Remember every campout is practice for the next one.

Leaking Seams: Use Canvak or a tent seam sealer to stop leaking seams or purchase a fly. Walmart has good goop too. Seal inside and out and allow the tent to dry completely before storing. Seam sealing should be done once a year.

Set up Location: Be aware of which trees emit resins and avoid setting up your tent under these types of trees.

I recommend: Coghlan's 703 Tent Seam Sealer Repair Kit and you can get it here:
http://www.acehardwareoutlet.com/Pro...aspx?SKU=84949

[Weedy]

Re: What type of seam sealer?

I've been using the "seam sealer" that walmart sells for years. I have NEVER had any issues what so ever. X-2's on above post, losts of good info there!!

[busere]

Re: What type of seam sealer?

Hmmm...My MSR Hubba Hubba came with the seams sealed, and so did my sons North Face Flint 2. Hmmm...

[immortal_ben]

Re: What type of seam sealer?

Some of the higher end manufacturers seam seal, some do not. Some seal some models of their tents and not others. You really have to check the box, look online, or call the manufacturer.

[renodesertfox]

Re: What type of seam sealer?

Even if it's a high-end tent that is seam sealed doesn't mean the sealer will last indefinitely. Next year or sooner you'll have to seam seal or just purchase another high-end tent. It's better to do it and not need it than to need it and not to have done it! haha!

[immortal_ben]

Re: What type of seam sealer?

No sealer will work indefinitely. All tents need to be resealed from time to time.

[Internetpilot]

Re: What type of seam sealer?

I've had really good luck with my two Coleman tents and their taped seams -- haven't had to re-seal over the tape in the four years I've owned and used the first tent and I've been in some torrential downpours in that tent. The Coleman instructions for these two tents actually say you don't need to seal the seams, but even though my experiences have found this claim to be true (so far), in the end I think any tent owner is trapped somewhere between "Better safe than sorry" and "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".

In my opinion, if your brand new tent (regardless of what it's made out of) requires spray-on waterproofing right out of the box, then I'd return it and buy a different tent. I feel the same way about the seams. The water resistance of any tent straight from the factory should at least last one camping season.

[busere]

Re: What type of seam sealer?

Well, Kifaru shelters have to be seam sealed and they come with seam sealer...and they're not cheap. Matter of fact, I have a Kifaru Sawtooth on my short (WANT) list. Does it bother me that I need to seal it myself? Nope. But as for my MSR Hubba Hubba...if it's not broke, I'm not fixing it. Will I eventualy need to seam seal it...sure, and I'm ok with that, just like I'm ok with changing the oil in my truck. Everything needs upkeep to stay useful.

[Internetpilot]

Re: What type of seam sealer?

Well, Kifaru shelters have to be seam sealed and they come with seam sealer...and they're not cheap. Matter of fact, I have a Kifaru Sawtooth on my short (WANT) list. Does it bother me that I need to seal it myself? Nope.

Wow. An $800 tent (with no floor) that isn't even weathersealed out of the box? :confused: It bothers ME that you need to seal it yourself! Haha.

Suddenly I'm not thinking the 12x12 Kelty nylon tarps at $80 are as overpriced as I once thought! :D

[busere]

Re: What type of seam sealer?

Well, Internetpilot, try lighting up a wood burning stove that Kelty. Kifaru might be expensive, but they're really good. As for ground cloth/tent floor...they're not needed. I think floors are more trouble then they're worth. With a floorless tent, you don't have to take your boots off...you don't have to worry about drying the floor before packing it up...water of coffee spills are not a problem...and again, wood burning stove in the winter. They're backpackable hot-tents. a little over 4 pounds for the shelter and just over 4 pounds for the stove and stove pipe for two people (comfortablely)...the $1100 package deal (Shelter and stove) is worth it to be able to get my wife backpacking in the winter with me. The Sawtooth is bigger then my Hubba Hubba, and lighter. I carry the shelter, she carries the stove...we're golden. It has enough room to sleep three in a pinch. You see a hefty price tag, I see a golden oprotunity for alone time with my wife in the woods. Take a look at their 24 man Tipi. You'd need a good ladder to seam seal that thing.

[Internetpilot]

Re: What type of seam sealer?

No thanks! I'm good with my $150 9-person tent (floor included) and $100 Mr. Heater Big Buddy heater instead! With no floor, you're still waiting for something to dry when you pack up -- be it a sleeping bag, ground cloth/insulator, basically anything you set on the ground, etc.?

I'm just kidding around with you -- everyone has their own preferences and styles of camping. I am, always have been, and always will be a car camper. I have a neighbor who likes everything to be backpackable even when he and his kids go car camping with me and my kids. He's always showing me his $200 JetBoil dixie cup sized stove when I'm using my 2-burner Coleman stove with a normal sized pan/skillet. I always tell him that it's good that it's lightweight because he (and his kids) are going to be weak from hunger if that's what he's cooking even his meal in. Haha.

But back on topic, seriously, for $800 you'd think they could seal the seams at the factory, no? Sounds to me like they're trying to avoid warranty related leak issues, and again for $800 they should be able to afford to provide a great warranty.

[immortal_ben]

Re: What type of seam sealer?

Internet pilot, when one uses the stove in a Kifaru shelter, the ground becomes dry very quickly. When on top of snow, the top lair soon crusts over providing a nice hard surface for everything to be on. So there is nothing wet to pack up from inside the shelter. Kifaru customers would not stand for having wet gear because they are backpacking for extended periods of time whilst out hunting. Also, they do indeed provide an incredible warranty.

Kifaru literally does not have the room in their tiny facility to pitch and seam seal their tents, so they ship sealer along with them to the owner.

Taped seams are not the same as sealed seams. Taping has to do with strengthening the seam whereas sealing is a waterproofing treatment.

Those of us who use a Jetboil for camp cooking are not cooking the same food as those who car camp. We (generally) bring along dehydrated food in pouches and add hot water to them. I bet I eat as calorie dense or denser foods as most any car camper.

Some other cottage manufacturers of high end tents, such as http://www.lightheartgear.com/ seam seal some of their models but not others. Reading the site, it says that if you order your tent seam sealed, expect it to be applied by finger, because they believe that is the best way to do it.

[Internetpilot]

Re: What type of seam sealer?

Oh, you guys can try to explain/justify it all you want, but IMHO at $800 a pop, I would expect any tent I bought to come weather sealed (and with a floor). And at $800 a pop they should be able to afford to expand their facility so they can ship it that way.

I also don't know how much I'm buying that combing a wood burning stove with snow/ice doesn't end up with wet gear in a floorless tent, but I'm not an experienced winter camper. That doesn't mean I would risk trying it anytime soon.

Back on-topic...

The industry makes seam seal versus taped seams a confusing subject, especially for inexperienced tent shoppers. MSR and even Sierra Designs claims that their taped seams makes their rainfly water resistant. Coleman claims the same, but also states that a seam sealer is still needed. But the way just about all tents are marketed point of sale, it makes it look like a factory taped seam is all you need to have a dry tent.

What most don't mention (Coleman does) is that it is the method used for creating the seams that probably matters the most. Double or even triple-stitching a folded, taped seam is going to make a rainfly about as weather resistant as most will need, at least for a season or two, especially if you don't stress out those seams/needle holes by overtightening the guylines or otherwise stretching your rainfly.

For every tent I've owned, I've set it up in my backyard, put a hose on it, and check the inside for leaks. If there aren't any leaks, then I don't seal the seams. I let the tent dry in the sun and pack it back up. Haven't had a problem yet in the last six years of tent camping with the two Coleman tents I own, and haven't sealed a seam yet. Not saying I never will or never will need to, but for being pretty much an economy tent option, Coleman seems to do a pretty good job with weatherproofing their seams straight from the factory.