Good video. That first seam you paint may have needed to be first wiped down with alcohol to remove any dirt or oils. I've never been able to find mineral spirits, (In California mineral spirits and denatured alcohol has been banned since 2013) So I've just used paint thinner. Paint thinner according to the internet is a less pure stinkier variation of mineral spirits. I've done this dozens of times but now I'm thinking I should find some mineral spirits, your mixing happened a lot faster than the mixing I've been doing. I end up with a soft ball of silicone surrounded by thinner. It still works, the thinner is saturated with silicone leaves a good seal. But you have a much better mix. I used GE 100% silicone caulk I buy in 2.8 oz tubes at Home Depot. Two cups of sealant is, I think, enough for at least ten tents and flies. I also think you are over doing it. After all what leaks? Unless you have a chaffed area, it's only the holes where the threads poke through. That's all that really needs sealing. So on a Y shaped pullout on the upper side of a fly or tent? You can paint all that webbing/grosgrain, work it under the edges... or you can from the inside, simply paint the lines of stitches. Also silicone caulk in a partially used tube or cartridge will quickly dry up. Even immediately sealed back up, in two days there will be a plug blocking the spout. In a few months that entire cartridge will be solid. So whatever you don't use, you won't be able to use. It's why I've always bought the smaller 2.8 oz tubes. (More than enough for a couple of tents and flies.) And I guess you're deep into owning and using that tent. I'm sure like many of us (me too) when you bought it you really wanted the other tent that cost double because it was 8 ounces lighter.. Seam sealing adds weight. Good video though. A contribution to this process. Thank you.

At the time of this reading, this post is 6 years old. It’s some of the best instructions I’ve seen on UKposts on how to reseal/waterproof a tent. So easy to follow a 6 year old or 86 year old could understand, without some overbearing personality demanding attention…

Good post Mr.Patch. But be advised folks, it takes a good 10 days for the silicon odor to go away. You have to have a dry place for the tent to stay pitched and air out. That said this mixture worked much better than any commercial fabric seal I ever used.

Wow that sure beats having to use your finger to spread silicone sealant all along the seam. Great video!

Thanks just purchased a 12x20 Alaknak that needs this done. Saved me some $$

I love the smell of silicone in the morning, and it works great.

Thanks for show this awesome way to seal seams.

I do this to every tarp & tent I buy. If you thin it down even more to the consistencty of milk and put it in a hand spray you can do the whole tent in what is a very effective waterproofing spray.

I wish I had see n this years ago. I threw out a favorite rain jacket because the silicone lining was all peeled up and awful. great work man!

I've used this concoction on all of my hammock tarps with good success.

My brother, 53 years old, without permission, used my Coleman 8 pop up tent. problem is that he left the tent soaked to rot in its bag for months. the tent was used just 4 times, I bought it in 2017. Unfortunately, the tent was molded and all the tapes turned rotten yellow. I want to thank you for your video since the gadgets that were being sold only for a tent that is 14' by 10' would cost an arm and a leg! This concussion that you shared is perfect, I lead to get the ingredients but I still have 3 weeks before my hunting trip. Not sure how long it will take but my guess is 4 hours of work for sure. I guess bro will have to find the time and fix the seams. Thanks for sharing!! this is a $$ saver :-)

In waterproofing my own tarps and tents I have found that a ratio of 1 part silicone to 5 parts mineral spirits works well. You don't need a heavy application to make something waterproof.

oke thanks for video , good info ....

Hello, can you show how it´s looks the seam seal when is dry? I love your video, thanks

Was that a silnylon tent or a urethane waterproofed tent?

Would this method work with a tent made of polyester ?

Does this chemical combination work for any tent material? Nylon, for example. Thanks

Do you know how long this method lasts? Should it be re-applied every year?

Great! Might be good on boots too!

What exactly is the Mineral Spirit thingy? I have never seen it in Europe. What should I use as an alternative?

Do you think this method is suitable for rain jacket and not allergy to skin when dry?

Instead of brushing would it also work if i were to do a 2 to 1 mix of mineral spirits to silicone to make it thinner and put it in a paint sprayer and just hit the whole tent possibly doing multiple coats to compensate for the thinner mix

would this work on tarps like for covering the whole tarp

@maxpatch67 Thank you for sharing this! It’s good to know that there are alternative and effective ways like this that is easy and affordable. I just have one question tho, whats a great alternative for mineral spirits? I live in the philippines and every hardware shop I went they dont have mineral spirits.

how long will it hold up if you tent camp regularly?

What is the uk version of odourless mineral spirits called,any idea it isn't methylated spirit is it ? That's pretty smelly

Hi, i've seen some videos AND most people clean the product after aplying it, but you dont. Is it better to let it dry this way?

A local home store paint dept will have small 1/2"-1" disposable brushes. Otherwise the plumbing dept will have small brushes near the plumbing solder. There's also the crafting departments. The brush used here was way to big.

can i use paint thinner as substitute of mineral spirit?thanks

Once I apply the sealant, how long does it take to dry? Thanks.

do the seams become stiff or rigid???

Anyone compared this to Mcnett's urethane seam sealer (which is very good stuff, but not cheap, and once a tube is opened you have to use it in a few months, even if kept in the freezer).

I just did this to my beloved tent (in the UK if people want advice about UK equivalent products). Any feedback on how well it works and how long it lasts?

What did the Wife say about using her Measuring cup ???

I only seen you use this on the inside of the tent and the underside of the rain fly did you use it on the outside of the tent also just curious

Do you seal the seams from inside or outside? Does it matter?

Does this method work on canvas? I have a camper trailer that needs the seams to be redone.

This will probably sound stupid... But can you use builder's water repellent solution (that you use on bricks etc) on the exterior of the tent? Not too sure if it would just slide off when spraying... But I have a tonne of that stuff! Cheers :)

i know this video is a year old but hopefully i get a reply back. im getting a new tent but want to put seam sealer on it just in case. would i go and peel off the seam tape or just apply this sealant over it. and is this method good for the materials of the tent which its made out of Polyester Polyethene?

Stupid question lol... but can i waterproof the fabric of my tent or tarp with this or will it ruin it?

how long to dry?

hm...why wouldn't you leave the tape in place and simply augment it with your solution, for double protection? Is the tape incompatible with the silicone? Thanks

Can I use thinner instead white mineral?

can you use regular thinner instead of mineral spirit for this??

is mineral spirits the same has white spirit

Can't find the Klean Strip odorless mineral spirit. Can anyone recommend me a substitute (brand) for odorless mineral and for silicone sealant? Thanks

So, what do the mineral spirits do?

Can i replace mineral spirits with paint thinner?

On your video you remove the old seam seals. Why not just stick the old seals back down again. I appreciate the strength is in the stitching, but would the combination with the old seam seal make a tougher repair.

hi can i use paint thinner instead of miniral spirit?

I just did it and seem to take long time to dry. After almost 48h feel always sticky

I can't see replies to comments! 😭 I wanted to see if I could apply this to the underside of my outside 10 by 10 canopy. It was a bitch to put on and it would be easier to paint the underside at this point, but would that do the truck? Do I need to find a ladder and do the outside of the canopy?

Great video. Can you think of a reason not to brush the mixture on the rain flap completely to create a very solid seal?

if greasing all parts of the tent. is it okay?

wonder if that would work with leather

Would you like to use white spirit instead of Odorless Mineral Spirits?THQ

What is mineral spirit?

Can i use turpentine

can i use it in my outdoor curtains ?

Pretty neat, but damn, have you ever heard of a mixing stick? Lol

Hi there, so glad I came across your video. I had just emailed the customer service re my 2 Clam quickset units & waterproofing seams & the covers. I own more then 6 canopy/screen house units & this will hopefully save me $$. Can I use this to waterproof the entire outside cover or only good on seams? I was looking at Atsko silicone spray, thanks

Is any silicone good for this? Like silicone for aquarium glass.

I am not able to find this odourless mineral spirit, do you know about some other solvent which will give me the same result?

How long does the smell take to go after painting,?

Will this work on peoples mouths? There is a very chatty person I know.

Hi I have been trying this but can't get the silicone to thin out, it just stays in lumps. I'm using clear silicone and odourless paint thinner. Please can someone help

Would you recommend wearing gloves?

are you sure this works? better do some videos afterwards to see if it realy works

Make sure you don't get it on the zipper teeth.

Just Dont go to all this Work If your tent material is already cheap crap. Buy a quality tent. Then consider this lol

I've tried this. The Silicone does not dissolve in mineral spirits. The result changes the silicone into a sticky compound which doesn't dry well. Naptha dissolves the silicone perfectly, leaving you with a thinned out version which can be applied easily. The Naptha then evaporates without changing the chemical makeup of the silicone. Naptha is also "White Gas" or Coleman fuel.

I couldn't be arsed. Just buy a new tent

As a residential interior painter watching U use the brush 2 mix the solution made me CRINGE... Use mom's wisk or egg beater. 🙃 .