How to..... seam seal.. don't hurt me! ;-)

“I didn't find an answer to my problem. If I just overlooked it, I apologize for starting a thread that had an answer somewhere else.

I'm seam sealing my fly and tent. It's an Alps Mystque 1.5. Here's my question:

Exactly WHERE do you apply the seam sealer? I need specifics....or as specific as someone can get. Please don't just tell me "the stitching", because there's stitching everywhere! I know I need to apply it on the inside of them, but WHERE EXACTLY?

Thanks in advance for any and all answers.”

“I just run it down the seams of the fly, making sure the entire seam is coated and that it runs into over the edge of the top seam. I realize I overdo it, but I really don't like water dripping onto me at night.

So the seams look a mess, but it keeps me dry.”

“I think Budder has the answer. There was a thread awhile back...

Don't worry about starting new threads, I used to do it all the time! My threads had nothing to do with backpacking though, so no one could say 'that's already been discussed little misssy'”

“That's already been discussed little missy.

Actually, just about every thought in the world has already been discussed ... somewhere ... sometime.”

“LOL @ biz...... thanks!

O.K. So, the inside of the fly is done already, but what about the tent itself? Don't I need to do it too?? I read a past thread that had everyone complaining: "why do we pay so much for these tents, then have to seam seal them ourselves??" I'm in total agreement with that! We ALL have paid good money for our equipment! Why do these companies keep milking us for more money?!?

Sorry..... just a small rant.

Anyways..... k... the tent?”

“I thought that tent was sealed already?

8)”

“Well, because if you live in Arizona, you have never actually had to use your tent (to stay out of the rain). So, why add the weight and inhale stinky chemicals unless you have to?

I guess I will need to learn to seam seal now that I live in the PNW.”

“I've never had to seam seal the tent until they got old and developed a leak, but it probably would not hurt to do it along the seams that are not covered by the fly.”

“Most of the newer tents on the market coome with taped seams already, there is no need to seal them if they are taped and in good shape. I am not that familiar with the model you mentioned so I can't say for certain.

Just about all of the new models from TNF, Mountain Hardware, Sierra Designs, Marmot, REI and MSR are coming sealed (taped).

After a few years of hard usage you may need to touch up thenseams but out of the package they should be good to go.

Actually if you "seam seal" a new model that is seam taped you may do more harm than good. The solvent in the seam sealant will compromise the seam tape....”

“I use seam grip sealer and it works great. On the inside of my tent I did the same on the inside of the tent as I did on the fly...any where two pieces of different cuts of fabric were sewn together. Geobeet has it right on how to seal the tent and that is the way I did it... it has not leaked yet..

BTW... I agree with your rant.. just like most BP are not water proof and you need a special cover.. Bill Bryson had it right when he wrote "did the manufacturers think that the backpack was not going to be used outside?"”

“CMB.... I don't know. Honestly, I'm hoping that someone here can tell me what's what when it comes to this stuff. I'm just flying by the seat of my pants.....LOL!

Biz.... being in the Pacific Northwest ..... especially if you live in Washington State or Oregon, you'd want to seam seal there. I'm inclined to think that those are the 2 states that get the most rainfall. At least that's what we're told here in MI. ;-)”

“To answer your other question. Society is a bunch of sheep: consumers. They get us to spend money because we are willing. The only way to escape is to not fall for it (consumerism, that is). Anyhoo, that is a different rant. I will have to fully develop that idea next time, when I'm not at work. And Artex is around. It's no fun arguing without Artex..and pedxing. Kleetn is sometimes good for a laugh too.”

“O.K...... let me catch up here...

It's a brand new tent. I just used it once.....on my solo trip. It worked wonderfully..... no leaks or anything. 'Course there wasn't any rain at that time. Not much in the morning dew dept. either. The seam sealer came WITH the tent, so I assumed that I'm supposed to use it. I'm not sure. I got it thru REI Outlet a little while ago. No footprint, but I'm getting a tarp. I used 2 large garbage bags for it last time, and they worked o.k.

Now, should I bother with the tent or no? I'm getting the impression that I don't need to...... right?”

“Yeah biz...... I agree with you.. after having read a lot of their posts, I'd like to hear their sides of that rant.

Maybe someone will come up with an inexpensive line of gear..... all set up to just GO!

(Shaking my head....)

Yeah..... RIGHT.”

“I went and took a look at REIOutlet.com and saw the tent of which you speak. It IS factory seam sealed. The stuff they included is for touch ups later on. for the time being. I woud not worry about it. happy camping...”

“Ok! That is all I needed to know! I didn't realize that that's what that meant in the ad. I thought it meant that they just did a special kind of stitching or something like that.

K. Well, the fly has been sealed twice then! Oh well!

Thanks everyone for your help!”

“Any time.. We aim to please.”

“Coyote. You seal everywhere there is stitching. Make sure all the thread holes are filled with seam sealer.”

“O.K. I did the fly already.... before I even posted this thread.

Thanks for the info UW. But doesn't that go against what BWD just said? He found out about it being factory sealed...?”

“Very few tents are 100% sealed. Usually only the floor is factory sealed. Even with good tents like Sierra Designs, you still have to MANUALLY seal the numerous seams going up from the floor.”

“"why do we pay so much for these tents, then have to seam seal them ourselves??"

That's why you buy a Hilleberg... :)



I saw that tent, I like it. Same design as the Zoid, but better price. Very good price. Little weighty, but better than what I gave ya.

Set it up in an area that you can get it wet. Spray it down and check fer leaks. Seam seal as needed.

Weather is looking good for Jordan!”

“I get that. O.K. Well, then I guess I had better get busy!

I started it a little, but never finished it...... looks like I should.

Thanks for the help ..... much appreciated!”

“Good to see you're around!

Yeah, that tent held up nicely on my solo trip....but honestly I wanted to be certain it would at Jordan too. If you go to accuweather.com, and in the search box type in Gaylord, it's telling me that Sat. ... we could get rained on! WOOHOO! I love the sound of rain in the woods...... as long as it's JUST rain that I'm listening to. Don't like thunder and lightning.

Anyway, thanks for the tip about getting it wet. Fortunately, it's already in my yard, next to my hose! Looks like rain in my backyard! LOL!”

“Tye factory seam sealing done by the factories is done on the flooring only....for a reason. The bathtub flooring on the floors is sealed up to the point wherein the fly will cover. All seams above fly level really do not need to be sealed, as long as the fly is sealed (which it is, twice in your case). The upper walls of the ent (seams) included need to be "moisture transparent" so that your own persopnal moisture can escape. The average adult human will expier roughly a quart od water in a night through repiration and perspiration. If you want that much water raining down upon yourself throught the night, go ahead and seal the tent up tight. The design of the tents allows water vapor to pass through the tent walls (and seams) to collect on the inside of the fly and drain down the fly to the ground (below the floor seal points).

The factoried do not seal the seams for two reasons, cost savings, not only for them but for you as well, and weight savings, believe the only reason they are worried about weight is because we are....

Sealing the seams on the inside of the tent wall is a waste of time, effort and sealant. adsn in May cases it will void the tents warranty, please read your warranty information before getting buy with the gooey stuff....

I don't want to go into a lot of details here, for a lot of personal reasons, but I do work in the outdoor industry and this information is my job......

For what it's worth..”

“Man I gotta learn to type....”

“So it's your fault!

he he he, j/k”

“WOW! This is great info BWD! I didn't know half of that stuff! Honestly, I'm glad now that I've been sitting here, NOT running immediately back out there to finish the job. However, between laqtis' idea, your info, and everyone else's input, I think I can safely say that I've done the right things already. So, I'm going to go and roll that puppy up and make sure it's ready for this coming weekend....!


Ummm.... one last question: (now I feel stupid/silly).....

Would I roll the tent up first, placing it within the fly as I rolled it up next? I'm almost 100% sure that's how it's supposed to be done.....but I just need reassurance.”

“Is totally ignorant of tents and has probably never camped in his life. What do you think vents are there for. To wack off on or to ventilate moisture from the tent? Wanker Dave, drop your cock and pick up your socks.”

“I do not roll, but stuff. You do not want to fold the tent all the time the same way. It can break down the waterproof coatings on the tent.”

“And that's about all it's worth.

I've had my Eureka tent now for over two years, and that puppy has yet to leak on me. It's been through some pretty gnarly thunderstorms also.

When I first got it, I was fairly new to backpacking. I wasn't sure what to as far as seam-sealing, went, but I guess whatever I did, it was done correctly.

Here's what I remember: I set up the tent in my living room, and just ran the seam-sealant over every single seem I saw. It seemed that I seamed it just super.

I left the tent assembled overnight, so the sealant would dry, and that was that.

Sorry I couldn't offer more in-depth advice. But I'm not going to make something up and risk having you get soaking wet.... thought that might be kinda funny in an evil sort of way. :-)”

“There is no "set" way to do it. I usualy place the fly in the middle of the tent, fold everything into the middle, and roll towards the open door to let any trapped air escape... but whatever works for you.

UW...I'll just let the folks on here decide who is more professional and approachable when it comes to gear questions. Nice diction by the way....”

“Make sure you seam seal from INSIDE the tent. Don't open any windows. Apply plenty of product and BREATH DEEPLY.

Ü”

“LOL @ Artex.... and thanks for NOT being devilish today...!

How about them companies though? Making us all pay extra money for things they could do themselves! However, BWD does have a point about cost and weight savings.... I just don't like having to go thru all the hassle of "proofing" stuff! You know?”

“I bet they make us seal up the tents so they won't be liable if it leaks. It is a little strange though. Weird, wild stuff.”

“It's all my fault.. sorry you have so much fun in the outdoors, Blame it all on me...”

“LOL @ biz...... honey..... you need to get out of that tent and BREATHE some FRESH AIR! LOL!

And thanks laqtis and BWD.... I'm going to roll it up with my tent inside of the fly... A friend of mine told me that if it's raining, that I can at least get that set up in a hurry, and manage to keep my tent dry. I'll just be sure to NOT fold in the same way everytime, just like laqtis said.


Oh..... and wanker..... I'll take BWD's suggestion if you don't mind. Personally, he was right about being more professional and approachable..... things like that make a difference to the more inexperienced packer. Take notes for next time.”

“The bottom line is, It don't matter how you do it, JUST GET OUT THERE!

Have Fun!”

“I had my old Eureka for 14 years. I sealed the seams of the fly and never had a leak. After about 10 years, leaks developed in the seams of the tent around the base. I sealed those seams and got another four years out of it.

By the 14 year mark, it sprang several new leaks, but everything was so old by then it seemed wiser to retire it and go to a newer tent.

I now have two - one for car camping (Eureka) and one for backpacking (North Face). I expect to get another 14 years out of them (and hopefully me too).

It might be necessary to apply seam sealer again. I usually take a small bottle with me just in case. Of course, you have to dry the fly out to apply it, but after the first treatment it would only be a minor leak if one does develop.

It is not exactly rocket science. I don't think there is a lot of right or wrong as long as you coat the seam and the stitches well. When I get done it looks like I waxed it.

As far as rolling or stuffing, I have always rolled. It fits better in my experience, and I have had no problems because of it. To each his or her own. It's probably not too important.”

“Thanks for your input Geo... things like the length of time expiring make a difference to me too. I don't want to have to replace this tent anytime soon. I hope to get 14 years out of it, like you did!”

“I don't see what the big deal is. If your tent starts to leak, just go sleep in the car.”

“Now that was sage advice CA. Comes in handy three days down the trail.”

“Y'all muat have that thar FourWheelum drive.......”

“Ofgs..... gee....... thanks CAR ANTENNA... never would've thought of that one!

(Mumbling to self.... "can't believe some of the things people say....hehe!)”

“Hey..... BWD.... I think you need to have your keyboard checked out....

It's making a lot of typo's on you!

LOLOLOLOLOL!”

“Actually I was attempting to type with a redneck accent......

(Is that possible???)”

“Mine has the same problem: short between the keyboard and the chair.

When that happens, it types what your fingers hit instead of what you mean.”

“LOL @ both of you!


Neither one of you has a full set of teeth between 'ya either......I'll bet! HEHE!

j.k....lol!”

“I'm not that old.... yet.”

“Who mentioned age????


ROFLMAO! I was talking about your stumbling fingers......and THEIR accents! LOL!”

“I was looking at your photos on Phils page and noticed that you're in Michigan. Ever backpack the Porkies? I had a geat trip there a number of years ago.”