Great way to seal a tent. One thing I might comment on though, is to start at the top instead of the bottom, reason being if you have a higher tent ( as I do) and need to reach the top, you run the risk of brushing up against what you just brushed on as you lean in, making a sticky mess and possibly ruining some clothes. I decided to start at the top and work my way down. So far so good. Great process with the syringe and brush. Lots of helpful tips for someone who’s been away from camping for many years and will be using an old tent that was never sealed.😳 Thank you, Sir!
Great tutorial! Your suggestion to use syringes is a nice tip. Seam sealing tents and tarps is a good idea. It protects the threads and adds strength to the seams as well as keeping out moisture. I would add one suggestion: after the seam sealer cures, sprinkle small amounts of baby powder on the treated seams, then brush it off. This will reduce the tackiness of the sealer and prevent it from sticking to itself or other parts of the tent body when you pack it away.
It shouldn't be tacky at all though, when you put it away should it? I think if you find it still tacky and needing the powder trick, is due to impatience. ;) You could just wait a couple days and ensure it's fully cured with your left out, that's all.
Alot of sealers do appear to be tacky..just because it's new...but your correct about the powder...just need such a little bit to take the tackyness away....good advice Jim 😀
This is the video is the holy grail of tent seam sealing. I wish I had discovered this video a few tents ago. I just finished seam sealing my Tarptent Double Rainbow and even though its still a pain to do, this technique worked like a charm. Thanks Outdoor Gear Review guy! :-)
I've used similar methods, but I thin the silicone with mineral spirits. A giant tube of silicone sealant from the big box store costs less than the little tubes. The thinned mixture spreads more evenly and cures faster allowing a thinner and neater coat to be applied.
"THANK YOU!", Luke! I have a "Coleman 4-Person 2000035801 Skydome" tent that I bought new for only $34.44, taxes included. I like it because it was so cheap, its huge, & most reviews generally say it's good. I've never 'seam-sealed' a tent before & your video is fantastic for instructions. I want to seam-seal my tent before I use it. That way it's clean & I can do in the great room in a climate-controlled environment. The only question I have is what is the best seam-sealer for a 100% polyester (label says). Because I've heard of using homemade concoctions like melted wax, petroleum jelly, & boiled linseed oil. There are many synthetic versions, polyurethane, polyester, silicone. There are also many brands such as "GEAR AID Seam Grip Sealant", "GEAR AID Seam Grip Fabric Sealer", "Coleman Seam Sealer", "GEAR AID Seam Grip Silicone Sealant", "Coghlan's Seam Seal", "Texsport Polyurethane Waterproof Seam Sealer", etc. Walmart.com has like 40 items on the 1st page, including "ULTRA PRO BEIGE SEAM SEALER", "3M Urethane Seam Sealer", & "Barrier Bond Black Polyurethane Seam Sealer Adhesive" caulk. I know many want the benefit of your experience, w/ close to 500,000 subscribers. Thank you in advance for your kind assistance. I'm thinking the silicone you used would word really well but you are the expert. Have a GREAT day, Neighbor!
Thank you....that took some of the fear out of doing it myself. Was going to try brush on bottle before I watched this video. Will try your way now. Thanks Luke.
Just got a new tent...SOOO glad I saw your video before appling the seam sealer...the curved syringe was a key factor...more precise less mess and waste...BIG Thanks 🙂
Thank you Luke. I didn't realize I needed to seam my tent after buying it new. Having seen this video makes it clear on how to seam seal and what to use. I watch all your vids. Thanks very much! 🌞
Luke, thanks for the video. I have never had to reseal a tent other than my canvas hunting tents (after years of use), I learned something today. Thanks again
Hi Luke, great video I learned a lot. You stated that different materials need a different type of sealant. My question is how do I know what I need for my tent? My tent under the description for material it just says synthetic.
Hi Luke. I just wanted to say the way you did that makes more sense than the kit's. The next time I have to do it I am going use your method. Thank you so much. Love your channel strength and honor from Michigan Snowman
Fantastic Job! 😃 I wish I had seen this in the mid-80s. I had spent many hours sewing together my own tent. I went to seal it and went around the inside of the tent. 😔 I also let it dry but didn't know to let it sit overnight to cure. I also didn't know about the flux brush. 🌲 Great Job explaining! 😃
I can't thank you enough. I had the crappy ones you just mentioned and they did not work at all. I got minipeak ii and and minipeak xl which are unfortunately not seem sealed. I am definitely trying your way with the right tools. Big fan since 2017.
This video came at the right time. I walked past that exact same brush top seam sealer at my local Walmart yesterday, and was reminded that I needed to do this. I'm glad I didn't pick that one up.
😅 I would have sealed the inside only if i didn’t watch this video! Thanks for the great lesson on the most effective method! Also, i recently purchased a pack of 40 acid brushes ($8) for a small soldering project and wondered how i could utilize the spares! Now i know! Thanks again!
Thank you for the information. My first attempt at seam sealing did not go as well as I had hoped. I think this process will make my next effort a greater success.
I seam sealed and used a spray on water proofing on the Bimini Top on my boat three years ago top side and bottom side. It is still doing its job quite well, but even so, three years have passed; I'll re-do the task. Oh, I leave the Bimini Top up year around and see no wear or damage. The material is much very much heavier than the 3F tent material. Even the heat here in Florida is no match for the top.
Good job and demo Luke👍👍 Seam sealant is one of those things that wears out after constant manipulation of the tent or material you're sealing. By setting up, taking down, folding or stuffing in a bag, eventually you'll have to re-new the seal, nature of the beast. This is as good a way as I've seen without going industrial. Thanks for the video demo. Enjoy!
Luke, one of your best mate. I've seen a few videos on how to do this, but your video is by far the easiest and most efficient way to go. I'm now off to seam seal my tent. Thanks for the video.
Excellent tutorial on seam sealing. Thank you so much. I think I can approach this task with a different mindset thanks to your demonstration. Greatly appreciated. S&H.
Nice video. I have a Coleman tent that's about 15 years old. Went camping this past weekend and got rained on and leaked. You made me decide to seal it rather than toss it. It looks very relaxing. Thank you. I need to find out what material my tent is made from
Luke has an attention to detail most people lack in this industry, I know because I'm one of those people who gets frustrated by seemingly simple comments like 'seal the tent yourself' when it leaves out so much information. I would only say that I personally find a 25mm foam brush (1 inch) cut down to about half that with scissors more efficient when brushing, as the thin point slots into the valley of the seam, the foam holds sealant evenly and they are very cheap and easy to find. However, I do dilute Silnet or Seam Grip Sil with odourless mineral spirits, it just makes the flow so much better and dries in half the time. When I use Seam Grip standard I don't dilute it because I'm unclear on how to best do this.
Just like I did back in the day. Big brushy tube of brand C sealant got shipped to me by mistake and won’t get used. Thanks for tip on the syringe and brushes. Cheers.
When sealing my tents, I thinned out the first sealant application for penetration. Then applied a second thicker coat. I did this on warm sunny days on the lawn. Let it sit for a few hours to cure.
Thanks so much for this video! I have 2 bottles of Gear Aid Seam Grip FC on the way from Amazon because it seemed like it would be so much easier and faster. I was a little worried about the fact that it's water-based, but other than that, I thought I was doing the right thing. Thanks to your video, I just placed an order for some curve-tipped syringes from Amazon that will be here on Saturday. I already have the sealant. I was just keeping it around for major repairs, like to sleeping pads or whatever. I think I'll still keep the Fast Cure stuff on-hand for emergency repairs, but I'm not going to waste my time trying to seal my tent seams with it anymore. I love your videos man! I learn so much, and you always seem like you're having a good time! Keep it up!! You're doing good things!!! 🙂
Thanks Luke, the seam of the fly on my 7 years old family backpacking tent has deteriorated and this is totally what I needed. I don't even need to clean the old seam sealant on the other side.
Hey Luke, I love your adventures and all the reviews you have done over the years for outdoor gear. It's always a pleasure to be able to watch your videos and experience nature vicariously. I used to do a lot of hiking in Washington state while stationed there in the Navy and even hiked 1100 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail after transitioning back to life as a civie. Right now, I am using my GI bill to get a degree in Chemical Engineering, and I haven't had a whole lot of time to go hiking as I take summer classes and also have a part-time job. As I made the mistake of moving back to Texas, it can take hours to drive the hundreds of miles to go somewhere to hike, and given the heat, it's been rather difficult getting out there. However, I have been planning to take a semester off to hike the CDT for the better part of the last two years. I have been looking at new tent options outside free-standing tents (I used the copper spur UL1 on the PCT). One tent I came across that seems rather interesting is the Six Moon Designs Gatewood Cape. It only costs $150 and also functions as a rain poncho. It is a modular design, and with the bug net/bathtub floor insert, the total package comes out to $275 and weighs only 22 ounces. I have several concerns with the design, and only sparse reviews are out there. However, it is an older design that has been around for a while and is made by a reliable company. I know it is asking a lot, but if you could somehow do a full review on it, I would be much obliged. Big ask, I know, but a man can dream, lol.
I’ve been following a guy on YT whose doing the entire AT right now using the Gatewood Cape. If you check his channel he may have a review on it. (Toby in Transit)
I can totally agree with you on your comment about moving back to Texas. I ended up moving to Texas because the programs I was a manager for. Went into full product mode and because of that I had to move to Texas. In order to both keep my job and manage my programs. I used to live in a city called Simi Valley California. So of course there are plenty of places to go camping and hiking. But when I moved to Texas I couldn't find any places that were not a few hours drive. To get to and enjoy the great outdoors like I could in California. Though as soon as Christmas and new years is over with. I plan on going down to the Big Bend National Park and check it out. Even though I have heard there is not much to do and or explore in that area of Texas. Do you have any suggestions on a good place to go camping and hiking in the Texas area?
Mr. Luke hope the day finds you well, great video, I would love to see more videos on tent/tarp maintenance or how to get the most out of your tent/tarp. Thank you for the videos, I look forward to your next video.
Thanks for all the great info Luke. I just bought a new 4 person tipi and once the weather here in Norway is right I'm gonna treat it with Nikwax and the exact same seam sealer you have in this video 😀
Great tutorial, thanks so much! Funnily enough, Lanshan says on their website that you have to seal the tent on the inside… Weird… Thanks for making it look easy, I’ll start right away!!
A company not willing to seal as part of their products manufacturing is really sad. To me, they are not putting out the best product they can and this is the proof. Aside from that, video well done. Thanks for showing what these tent companies wont do for their customers
Thanks Luke. The process makes much more sense after watching your video. Kudos on your music choices lately👍👍 I know some have been a tad critical & can also see you care. You’ve stepped up your game. 🎊
Looks simple enough. Nice instructional video, Luke. Looking forward to the test episode. Side note: I think it's ridiculous that a company wouldnt seam seal their products. This pretty much deters me from purchasing their products.
I think exactly the same! It’s like you have to do a step in the production of the product, it’s weird. But 3F UL now also seam seals their products for a small amount, so thats nice! And for people who want to save the money, they can do it themselves
Maybe some people... Not you... Would prefer to save some money and do the job themselves rather than throw money at the company. All tents regardless of cost need sealing at some point
@@changein3d I went to their website and looked at a few tents. It appears some of their tents come are shipped seam sealed already. There was no indication that there was an extra charge for those seam sealed tents. That said, if I have to ask myself the question, I'm not wasting my time trying to find the answer. I'll click elswhere.
@@andrewb4984 Yes, the non-pro versions are already seam taped (not seam sealed). So they require no sealing. It is in extra option unser Accessories I think. And I get you, it can be confusing and annoying to search for that. If I would be the company, I would just add a default-checked checkbox for sealing, like apple does on their website with iPhone accessories.
Luke, Great tutorial & presentation! Queastion... My old REI Half dome needs both the seam sealing redone as well as re-waterproofing the tent & rainfly material itself. Which order would be best? Seams, then fabric OR fabric, then seams?
Thank you for the video! Just finished waterproofing my new coleman tent, and really appreciate the tips. I seem to be a rain magnet every time i go camping lol.
A year later, gotta poke my nose in here. Funny you should say seam sealer goes on the outside. I have several tents, one has been stored for a really long time, the other, not so much. Long story short, it was easy to remove all the seam seal tape on the inside of the rain fly of the one stored for a long time, the one I've been using took some effort, but I didn't force anything. If it gave too much resistance, I left it. But... I put the fly on the tent inside out, so the seams were exposed. I used the tube and a box of epoxy brushes (big tent, lol) and re-sealed the entire inside of the rain fly. Granted, this was after a nikwax solarproof wash. Both flies are doing great now, but I wonder... You said on the outside. I put it on the inside because I was replacing the old tape. Hmmm..... That syringe idea tho... that's pretty awesome. Makes it a lot less product that needs to be used, too.
After it's dry I'd do the whole tent in diy 100% clear silicone & odorless mineral spirits in 8 to 1 ratio mix. I believe coating the tent ropes and mounting tabs will help them last longer. When it rains, it's nice to have the ropes waterproofed also. So they don't need extra time to dry. You don't want to put away a dry tent with the ropes unknowingly still wet.
I got the same one ! The one with the green label on it ! . I did mine just fine I set up my tent in my home got a different brush and I didn't mind cleaning up a bit either
Followed this process today on my Lanshan Pro 1. Thanks for the tutorial. Super helpful, thorough, and informative. Tent looks great. Bit of good natured ribbing incoming: Some of your video titles crack me up. I get why (traffic and views, both legit reasons), but the number of vid titles that include 'heavy rain,' 'attacked,' etc. stand out as an odd contrast to your excellent content. Thank you and keep up the great work. Appreciate ya!
I have a 2-man HUNT MONSTER 300/600D uninsulated Ice Fishing Shelter coming from Amazon next week… For the frigid temperatures of South Florida! I bought it for day camping only, to use for fishing trips and to put a toilet in it, and protect me from our intense downpours much of the year. It doesn’t indicate a material, only Denier, so I don’t know what to use for seam sealer.
What is the best way to remove dried seam seal messes from silnylon? I made the error of using that stupid runny sealant with the attached brush. It worked for a couple years, then started peeling and leaking in heavy rain. I need to remove the old sealant in order to properly redo the job, but worry about damaging the silnylon in the process. Thanks for all of the practical knowledge you provide to the outdoor community!
It does help to stretch out the material to be sealed. That also helps you to see any damaged areas that may need to be repaired, which is as good a time as any to do so, so you know you've taken care of any issues. Nice and comprehensible. Thank you for making this guide.
Good video, good tips, good that you showed some of the squirrelly spots that need sealing also. This is going to be my goto vid recommendation to anyone with seam sealing questions/struggles.
good tutorial, ..... i just saw how long this post is, i will totally understand if you can't be bothered reading it hehehe, is there a good reason i can't find a vid on how to create new guylines for silnylon tent, namely the taiji 2, i recall you mentioned there should be guy out points to help with wind resistance. i'm thinking of adding one or two guy out points and possibly adding two extra hoops to attach to poles, sort of doubling up the two lower ones already there to help stop the sides of the tent being blown inwards in the way they do, which sort of creates a feedback loop as it cups to catch more and more wind. i have already bought new poles which though thinner, 8.5mm, are a little thicker in section and a lot less bendy, they are also 6cm shorter than normal which is around 4m 12cm, the new ones seem lower quality, and i'm not 100% being less bendy is the right way to go. the stock ones are very bendy but this might make them less likely to break, even though they are distorting all over the place in a heavy wind. so, any chance you could try making the extra guy out points for the taiji 2, what would be best to use? tenacious tape, or some piece of silnylon along with stitching and silnett/seam grip sl ? the taiji 2 will never be very good in high winds over 40mph, but i live in scotland and i would like if it could survive a gust or two of 45mph.
HI LUKE & SUSIE 👋 YOU FOLKS DO YOUR THING / TRAVELS / JOURNEYS / ADVENTURES ! ALWAYS LEARNING WETHER ABOUT PRODUCTS OR PLACES TO VISIT / SEE 👀 ! WHAT TO DO & NOT . BE SAFE ! HAVE FUN ! ENJOYED 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 THANK YOU 🙏 GOD BLESS YOU BOTH ALWAYS ON YOUR ADVENTURES 🙏 😀
Thanks for the demo. Useful for an old tent I have. But for the new tent, I'd have paid the $35, considering a tube of what you used it $20 shipped + my time.
Thanks for the video I'm about to use the instructions for my own tent. On that note mine actually came with a curved plunger so I think they've seen your video :)
I normally hug the outside basically like that once after it’s set to a very light tack. I hit it once more. An even hit the inside because it can’t hurt. If anything will only help aid in the sealing. Of the long run for any spots where there’s tension on the seams. For it to have a longer term good holding seal. Through multiple setting ups an wind putting any pulling an tension over the stitching
I really wish I would've watched this several years ago. I literally did everything wrong. From using one of those brush-attached brands to seam sealing the inside of the tent. Oof. No wonder that tent never stopped leaking lol.
Loved the vid 👍and a good tutorial. I think that the suggestion of doing it in the living room isn't too good, I wanted to re-seal my tent once and it was bad weather so took it indoors... it smells pretty bad IMHO.
I would start from the top down, rather than the bottom up. That way, if you run short on seam sealer, the uncoated seams, down lower on the fly are more vertical and less likely to allow water seepage.
You can thin 100% silicone sealants with vm&p naphtha. Just a little bit goes a long way, definitely if you still want it to be a paste, just a little more thin. (This is just a FYI since you mentioned possibly thinning the sealant) I do this to let the threads absorb the sealant on work and outdoor gear, then a coating at regular viscosity. You can also thin it down quite a bit and soak or brush it on stuff to make fabric much more water resistant then the spray on “water repellent” does. If trying it, try on something sacrificial to for any trial and error.
Great way to seal a tent. One thing I might comment on though, is to start at the top instead of the bottom, reason being if you have a higher tent ( as I do) and need to reach the top, you run the risk of brushing up against what you just brushed on as you lean in, making a sticky mess and possibly ruining some clothes. I decided to start at the top and work my way down. So far so good. Great process with the syringe and brush. Lots of helpful tips for someone who’s been away from camping for many years and will be using an old tent that was never sealed.😳 Thank you, Sir!
Great tutorial! Your suggestion to use syringes is a nice tip. Seam sealing tents and tarps is a good idea. It protects the threads and adds strength to the seams as well as keeping out moisture.
I would add one suggestion: after the seam sealer cures, sprinkle small amounts of baby powder on the treated seams, then brush it off. This will reduce the tackiness of the sealer and prevent it from sticking to itself or other parts of the tent body when you pack it away.
It shouldn't be tacky at all though, when you put it away should it? I think if you find it still tacky and needing the powder trick, is due to impatience. ;) You could just wait a couple days and ensure it's fully cured with your left out, that's all.
Alot of sealers do appear to be tacky..just because it's new...but your correct about the powder...just need such a little bit to take the tackyness away....good advice Jim 😀
This is the video is the holy grail of tent seam sealing. I wish I had discovered this video a few tents ago. I just finished seam sealing my Tarptent Double Rainbow and even though its still a pain to do, this technique worked like a charm. Thanks Outdoor Gear Review guy! :-)
Great video, but one remark. The official instructions on the website say to seal the round guy line points from the inside as well.
I've used similar methods, but I thin the silicone with mineral spirits. A giant tube of silicone sealant from the big box store costs less than the little tubes. The thinned mixture spreads more evenly and cures faster allowing a thinner and neater coat to be applied.
If I do this, do I really need a syringe? Can’t I just brush it?
@@Ira88881 It's thin enough to use a small brush. Since it's thinner, it also soaks in better.
"THANK YOU!", Luke!
I have a "Coleman 4-Person 2000035801 Skydome" tent that I bought new for only $34.44, taxes included.
I like it because it was so cheap, its huge, & most reviews generally say it's good.
I've never 'seam-sealed' a tent before & your video is fantastic for instructions.
I want to seam-seal my tent before I use it.
That way it's clean & I can do in the great room in a climate-controlled environment.
The only question I have is what is the best seam-sealer for a 100% polyester (label says).
Because I've heard of using homemade concoctions like melted wax, petroleum jelly, & boiled linseed oil.
There are many synthetic versions, polyurethane, polyester, silicone.
There are also many brands such as "GEAR AID Seam Grip Sealant", "GEAR AID Seam Grip Fabric Sealer", "Coleman Seam Sealer", "GEAR AID Seam Grip Silicone Sealant", "Coghlan's Seam Seal", "Texsport Polyurethane Waterproof Seam Sealer", etc.
Walmart.com has like 40 items on the 1st page, including "ULTRA PRO BEIGE SEAM SEALER", "3M Urethane Seam Sealer", & "Barrier Bond Black Polyurethane Seam Sealer Adhesive" caulk.
I know many want the benefit of your experience, w/ close to 500,000 subscribers.
Thank you in advance for your kind assistance.
I'm thinking the silicone you used would word really well but you are the expert.
Have a GREAT day, Neighbor!
Thank you....that took some of the fear out of doing it myself. Was going to try brush on bottle before I watched this video. Will try your way now. Thanks Luke.
It's easy the way he showed. Once you start doing it, you will wonder why you were so afraid to in the first place.
The best video I have seen on seam sealing a tent flysheet.
The middle of the tieoff too. Separate the loop and seam seal. This is a very handy procedure. Thanks for sharing.
Just use industrial grade silicone sealant, it's exactly the same product for a fraction of the cost.
Just got a new tent...SOOO glad I saw your video before appling the seam sealer...the curved syringe was a key factor...more precise less mess and waste...BIG Thanks 🙂
Thank you Luke. I didn't realize I needed to seam my tent after buying it new. Having seen this video makes it clear on how to seam seal and what to use. I watch all your vids. Thanks very much! 🌞
Most tents you don't.
Luke, thanks for the video. I have never had to reseal a tent other than my canvas hunting tents (after years of use), I learned something today. Thanks again
Hi Luke, great video I learned a lot. You stated that different materials need a different type of sealant. My question is how do I know what I need for my tent? My tent under the description for material it just says synthetic.
One of the most informative post on one of the most underrated must do's. Thanks for vary important information..well Done Sir...
Just purchased this tent and this vid was perfect for helping me get this job done efficiently! Thank you 🙏🏽
Thanks. Love getting practical knowledge. Could you post which sealants are used with which tent materials?
Thanks for this. I got one of those defective stove hut 70s. I’m gonna try this.
Hi Luke. I just wanted to say the way you did that makes more sense than the kit's. The next time I have to do it I am going use your method. Thank you so much. Love your channel strength and honor from Michigan Snowman
Thank you... i am now not affraid to seam seal! makes me want to go back and re-do!
Fantastic Job! 😃
I wish I had seen this in the mid-80s. I had spent many hours sewing together my own tent.
I went to seal it and went around the inside of the tent. 😔 I also let it dry but didn't know to let it sit overnight to cure. I also didn't know about the flux brush.
🌲 Great Job explaining! 😃
Your process is systematic and fool proof well done . Thank you Luke
I've always purchased tents already seam sealed, thanks
Completely digging the color of that tent
My next seam-sealing job will now go a whole lot better. Thanks
I can't thank you enough. I had the crappy ones you just mentioned and they did not work at all. I got minipeak ii and and minipeak xl which are unfortunately not seem sealed. I am definitely trying your way with the right tools. Big fan since 2017.
Bravo. I always thought this sealing is done from the inside :) Secret revealed lesson learned, another pleasant to watch video from you. Thanks Luke.
This video came at the right time. I walked past that exact same brush top seam sealer at my local Walmart yesterday, and was reminded that I needed to do this. I'm glad I didn't pick that one up.
This was fantastic you have shown how easy seam sealing can be using the right equipment and materials
This was the seam sealing vid I was looking for! I’ll be doing my skytrekker this weekend!
😅 I would have sealed the inside only if i didn’t watch this video! Thanks for the great lesson on the most effective method!
Also, i recently purchased a pack of 40 acid brushes ($8) for a small soldering project and wondered how i could utilize the spares! Now i know! Thanks again!
Thank you for the information. My first attempt at seam sealing did not go as well as I had hoped. I think this process will make my next effort a greater success.
I seam sealed and used a spray on water proofing on the Bimini Top on my boat three years ago top side and bottom side. It is still doing its job quite well, but even so, three years have passed; I'll re-do the task. Oh, I leave the Bimini Top up year around and see no wear or damage. The material is much very much heavier than the 3F tent material. Even the heat here in Florida is no match for the top.
Haven't needed to seam seal yet but when I do I know the best way now. Thank you sir
Good job and demo Luke👍👍 Seam sealant is one of those things that wears out after constant manipulation of the tent or material you're sealing. By setting up, taking down, folding or stuffing in a bag, eventually you'll have to re-new the seal, nature of the beast. This is as good a way as I've seen without going industrial. Thanks for the video demo. Enjoy!
Luke, one of your best mate. I've seen a few videos on how to do this, but your video is by far the easiest and most efficient way to go. I'm now off to seam seal my tent. Thanks for the video.
Excellent tutorial on seam sealing. Thank you so much. I think I can approach this task with a different mindset thanks to your demonstration. Greatly appreciated. S&H.
Our (cheap !) rooftop tent leaks like a sieve. Bet it needs this. Thanks for another fantastic video! ,💥
Nice video. I have a Coleman tent that's about 15 years old. Went camping this past weekend and got rained on and leaked. You made me decide to seal it rather than toss it. It looks very relaxing. Thank you. I need to find out what material my tent is made from
Luke has an attention to detail most people lack in this industry, I know because I'm one of those people who gets frustrated by seemingly simple comments like 'seal the tent yourself' when it leaves out so much information. I would only say that I personally find a 25mm foam brush (1 inch) cut down to about half that with scissors more efficient when brushing, as the thin point slots into the valley of the seam, the foam holds sealant evenly and they are very cheap and easy to find. However, I do dilute Silnet or Seam Grip Sil with odourless mineral spirits, it just makes the flow so much better and dries in half the time. When I use Seam Grip standard I don't dilute it because I'm unclear on how to best do this.
Just like I did back in the day.
Big brushy tube of brand C sealant got shipped to me by mistake and won’t get used. Thanks for tip on the syringe and brushes. Cheers.
When sealing my tents, I thinned out the first sealant application for penetration.
Then applied a second thicker coat.
I did this on warm sunny days on the lawn. Let it sit for a few hours to cure.
Thanks so much for this video! I have 2 bottles of Gear Aid Seam Grip FC on the way from Amazon because it seemed like it would be so much easier and faster. I was a little worried about the fact that it's water-based, but other than that, I thought I was doing the right thing. Thanks to your video, I just placed an order for some curve-tipped syringes from Amazon that will be here on Saturday. I already have the sealant. I was just keeping it around for major repairs, like to sleeping pads or whatever. I think I'll still keep the Fast Cure stuff on-hand for emergency repairs, but I'm not going to waste my time trying to seal my tent seams with it anymore. I love your videos man! I learn so much, and you always seem like you're having a good time! Keep it up!! You're doing good things!!! 🙂
Thanks for the tips. If this tent fairs well it would certainly be a really good cost-effective UL option.
Thanks Luke, the seam of the fly on my 7 years old family backpacking tent has deteriorated and this is totally what I needed. I don't even need to clean the old seam sealant on the other side.
Hey Luke, I love your adventures and all the reviews you have done over the years for outdoor gear. It's always a pleasure to be able to watch your videos and experience nature vicariously. I used to do a lot of hiking in Washington state while stationed there in the Navy and even hiked 1100 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail after transitioning back to life as a civie. Right now, I am using my GI bill to get a degree in Chemical Engineering, and I haven't had a whole lot of time to go hiking as I take summer classes and also have a part-time job. As I made the mistake of moving back to Texas, it can take hours to drive the hundreds of miles to go somewhere to hike, and given the heat, it's been rather difficult getting out there. However, I have been planning to take a semester off to hike the CDT for the better part of the last two years. I have been looking at new tent options outside free-standing tents (I used the copper spur UL1 on the PCT). One tent I came across that seems rather interesting is the Six Moon Designs Gatewood Cape. It only costs $150 and also functions as a rain poncho. It is a modular design, and with the bug net/bathtub floor insert, the total package comes out to $275 and weighs only 22 ounces. I have several concerns with the design, and only sparse reviews are out there. However, it is an older design that has been around for a while and is made by a reliable company. I know it is asking a lot, but if you could somehow do a full review on it, I would be much obliged. Big ask, I know, but a man can dream, lol.
I’ve been following a guy on YT whose doing the entire AT right now using the Gatewood Cape. If you check his channel he may have a review on it. (Toby in Transit)
I can totally agree with you on your comment about moving back to Texas. I ended up moving to Texas because the programs I was a manager for.
Went into full product mode and because of that I had to move to Texas.
In order to both keep my job and manage my programs. I used to live in a city called Simi Valley California.
So of course there are plenty of places to go camping and hiking. But when I moved to Texas I couldn't find any places that were not a few hours drive.
To get to and enjoy the great outdoors like I could in California. Though as soon as Christmas and new years is over with.
I plan on going down to the Big Bend National Park and check it out. Even though I have heard there is not much to do and or explore in that area of Texas.
Do you have any suggestions on a good place to go camping and hiking in the Texas area?
Thanks Luke! I didn’t ever think of doing this before, now i will do my new tent and tarp.
Thanks! Just did my first seam seal on a Silnylon tarp. This was helpful.
Mr. Luke hope the day finds you well, great video, I would love to see more videos on tent/tarp maintenance or how to get the most out of your tent/tarp. Thank you for the videos, I look forward to your next video.
Thanks for the tutorial! Never thought about this before, but makes complete and total sense.
Thanks, Luke! Very straightforward process.
Thanks for all the great info Luke. I just bought a new 4 person tipi and once the weather here in Norway is right I'm gonna treat it with Nikwax and the exact same seam sealer you have in this video 😀
Great tutorial, thanks so much! Funnily enough, Lanshan says on their website that you have to seal the tent on the inside… Weird…
Thanks for making it look easy, I’ll start right away!!
A company not willing to seal as part of their products manufacturing is really sad. To me, they are not putting out the best product they can and this is the proof.
Aside from that, video well done. Thanks for showing what these tent companies wont do for their customers
Totally agree with you . We might as well make the whole tent ourselves .
@@davidyendoll5903 lol Right!
Thanks Luke. The process makes much more sense after watching your video.
Kudos on your music choices lately👍👍 I know some have
been a tad critical & can also see you care. You’ve stepped up your game. 🎊
Looks simple enough. Nice instructional video, Luke. Looking forward to the test episode.
Side note: I think it's ridiculous that a company wouldnt seam seal their products. This pretty much deters me from purchasing their products.
I think exactly the same! It’s like you have to do a step in the production of the product, it’s weird. But 3F UL now also seam seals their products for a small amount, so thats nice! And for people who want to save the money, they can do it themselves
Maybe some people... Not you... Would prefer to save some money and do the job themselves rather than throw money at the company.
All tents regardless of cost need sealing at some point
@@changein3d I went to their website and looked at a few tents. It appears some of their tents come are shipped seam sealed already. There was no indication that there was an extra charge for those seam sealed tents. That said, if I have to ask myself the question, I'm not wasting my time trying to find the answer. I'll click elswhere.
@@andrewb4984 Yes, the non-pro versions are already seam taped (not seam sealed). So they require no sealing. It is in extra option unser Accessories I think. And I get you, it can be confusing and annoying to search for that. If I would be the company, I would just add a default-checked checkbox for sealing, like apple does on their website with iPhone accessories.
@@changein3d ahhhhh! Thanks for clearing that up for me. Hope their web designer is reading these comments. Your suggestion is a good one.
Excellent presentation and saved me time and effort.
Thanks Luke!! Im going to do this to my brand new backpacking tent. Thanks!!
This is genius. Thank you for this practical tip.
Thank you for the great video, you took the mystery out of the process and gave great tips.
The syringe is a real time saver!
Have never had to do,but you make it possible now,if need be.Thanks!
Luke, this was an excellent lecture and demonstration. Thank you sooo much. Kentucky
thanks so much for this vid, it helped A LOT when i seam sealed my new lanshan 1 pro yesterday!
Always thank you for your intelligent information on all that you do
Once again...good stuff for all to learn, beginners and experienced.
Hi there, thank you for sharing. I was wondering if i could use the seal on outside furniture?
Thanks that’s a really good tip, I’ve used the others and they are a pain.
Luke,
Great tutorial & presentation!
Queastion... My old REI Half dome needs both the seam sealing redone as well as re-waterproofing the tent & rainfly material itself. Which order would be best? Seams, then fabric OR fabric, then seams?
Thank you for the video! Just finished waterproofing my new coleman tent, and really appreciate the tips. I seem to be a rain magnet every time i go camping lol.
I’ve definitely made a big mess using those darn brushes. Then I came upon an earlier video of yours, which really helped me. Cheers dude.🤙
I'll be doing it this way. Thanks for another Great tip
A year later, gotta poke my nose in here. Funny you should say seam sealer goes on the outside. I have several tents, one has been stored for a really long time, the other, not so much. Long story short, it was easy to remove all the seam seal tape on the inside of the rain fly of the one stored for a long time, the one I've been using took some effort, but I didn't force anything. If it gave too much resistance, I left it. But... I put the fly on the tent inside out, so the seams were exposed. I used the tube and a box of epoxy brushes (big tent, lol) and re-sealed the entire inside of the rain fly. Granted, this was after a nikwax solarproof wash. Both flies are doing great now, but I wonder...
You said on the outside. I put it on the inside because I was replacing the old tape. Hmmm..... That syringe idea tho... that's pretty awesome. Makes it a lot less product that needs to be used, too.
After it's dry I'd do the whole tent in diy 100% clear silicone & odorless mineral spirits in 8 to 1 ratio mix. I believe coating the tent ropes and mounting tabs will help them last longer.
When it rains, it's nice to have the ropes waterproofed also. So they don't need extra time to dry. You don't want to put away a dry tent with the ropes unknowingly still wet.
I got the same one ! The one with the green label on it ! . I did mine just fine I set up my tent in my home got a different brush and I didn't mind cleaning up a bit either
Followed this process today on my Lanshan Pro 1. Thanks for the tutorial. Super helpful, thorough, and informative. Tent looks great.
Bit of good natured ribbing incoming: Some of your video titles crack me up. I get why (traffic and views, both legit reasons), but the number of vid titles that include 'heavy rain,' 'attacked,' etc. stand out as an odd contrast to your excellent content.
Thank you and keep up the great work. Appreciate ya!
I have a 2-man HUNT MONSTER 300/600D uninsulated Ice Fishing Shelter coming from Amazon next week…
For the frigid temperatures of South Florida!
I bought it for day camping only, to use for fishing trips and to put a toilet in it, and protect me from our intense downpours much of the year.
It doesn’t indicate a material, only Denier, so I don’t know what to use for seam sealer.
After watching this video, I am willing to try and seam seal my River Country Trekker 4... Which leaks like a sieve.
Excellent tutorial, Luke. Thanks.
What is the best way to remove dried seam seal messes from silnylon? I made the error of using that stupid runny sealant with the attached brush. It worked for a couple years, then started peeling and leaking in heavy rain. I need to remove the old sealant in order to properly redo the job, but worry about damaging the silnylon in the process.
Thanks for all of the practical knowledge you provide to the outdoor community!
It does help to stretch out the material to be sealed. That also helps you to see any damaged areas that may need to be repaired, which is as good a time as any to do so, so you know you've taken care of any issues.
Nice and comprehensible. Thank you for making this guide.
Good video, good tips, good that you showed some of the squirrelly spots that need sealing also. This is going to be my goto vid recommendation to anyone with seam sealing questions/struggles.
Thanks for the video pal. I’m going to do mine that way now. What a great idea.
good tutorial, ..... i just saw how long this post is, i will totally understand if you can't be bothered reading it hehehe,
is there a good reason i can't find a vid on how to create new guylines for silnylon tent, namely the taiji 2, i recall you mentioned there should be guy out points to help with wind resistance. i'm thinking of adding one or two guy out points and possibly adding two extra hoops to attach to poles, sort of doubling up the two lower ones already there to help stop the sides of the tent being blown inwards in the way they do, which sort of creates a feedback loop as it cups to catch more and more wind. i have already bought new poles which though thinner, 8.5mm, are a little thicker in section and a lot less bendy, they are also 6cm shorter than normal which is around 4m 12cm, the new ones seem lower quality, and i'm not 100% being less bendy is the right way to go. the stock ones are very bendy but this might make them less likely to break, even though they are distorting all over the place in a heavy wind. so, any chance you could try making the extra guy out points for the taiji 2, what would be best to use? tenacious tape, or some piece of silnylon along with stitching and silnett/seam grip sl ? the taiji 2 will never be very good in high winds over 40mph, but i live in scotland and i would like if it could survive a gust or two of 45mph.
Wish I saw this before purchasing seam sealer. At least I haven’t applied it yet. Much thanks!
HI LUKE & SUSIE 👋
YOU FOLKS DO YOUR THING / TRAVELS / JOURNEYS / ADVENTURES ! ALWAYS LEARNING WETHER ABOUT PRODUCTS OR PLACES TO VISIT / SEE 👀 ! WHAT TO DO & NOT . BE SAFE ! HAVE FUN ! ENJOYED 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 THANK YOU 🙏 GOD BLESS YOU BOTH ALWAYS ON YOUR ADVENTURES 🙏 😀
Great demonstration! Thanks for sharing! I feel that I could confidently apply seam sealer to a tent now.
The Lanshan 1pro is the first tent I ever seam sealed. It was no big deal and gave me an excuse to hang out with my dad.
That's always fun :)
Great video.
Calling it a “system” is an overstretch, but the video will save many of us some time :)
Thank you :)
Great tutorial! Hope the tent proves storm-worthy!
Excellent process! Thanks for the demo!
Hey Luke, wished i would have seen this method be fore i ruined a sil-poly rain coat, good tutorial!
Thanks for the demo. Useful for an old tent I have. But for the new tent, I'd have paid the $35, considering a tube of what you used it $20 shipped + my time.
Thanks for the video I'm about to use the instructions for my own tent. On that note mine actually came with a curved plunger so I think they've seen your video :)
I normally hug the outside basically like that once after it’s set to a very light tack. I hit it once more. An even hit the inside because it can’t hurt. If anything will only help aid in the sealing. Of the long run for any spots where there’s tension on the seams. For it to have a longer term good holding seal. Through multiple setting ups an wind putting any pulling an tension over the stitching
I really wish I would've watched this several years ago. I literally did everything wrong. From using one of those brush-attached brands to seam sealing the inside of the tent. Oof. No wonder that tent never stopped leaking lol.
Loved the vid 👍and a good tutorial.
I think that the suggestion of doing it in the living room isn't too good, I wanted to re-seal my tent once and it was bad weather so took it indoors... it smells pretty bad IMHO.
Thanks for all the great and very helpful product reviews and instructional tips, like in this video, Luke. Great channel content.
I would start from the top down, rather than the bottom up. That way, if you run short on seam sealer, the uncoated seams, down lower on the fly are more vertical and less likely to allow water seepage.
You can thin 100% silicone sealants with vm&p naphtha. Just a little bit goes a long way, definitely if you still want it to be a paste, just a little more thin. (This is just a FYI since you mentioned possibly thinning the sealant) I do this to let the threads absorb the sealant on work and outdoor gear, then a coating at regular viscosity. You can also thin it down quite a bit and soak or brush it on stuff to make fabric much more water resistant then the spray on “water repellent” does. If trying it, try on something sacrificial to for any trial and error.
Sawing would also be a nice skill to learn.
Thanks very much Luke, appreciate the video and tips. I have a new tent that I need to seal.👍⛺