What do you think of this?

Oh heck no ... especially what my wife spends on quality sheets that thankfully seem to last forever.

For me it is more efficient, financially and time wise, to buy a tarp from Harbor Freight and/or a military surplus poncho (that I already have).

Might work if needed. I would go with the old blue tarp to put on my roof after a hurricane. Some of the plastic ones still work after a year in the hot sun.

It seems like it would cost a decent amount for the materials involved. I have some premade outdoor/weatherproof fabric that I would probably use instead just for cost and convenience. Seems like an interesting idea if you have the time and materials to make it yourself though.

No idea, but a local prepper group my son-in-law belongs to buys cloth drop-cloths and treats them with Thompsons Water Seal. I do not know if they use the water-based version or the solvent-based version. I THINK they spray it on with a garden sprayer, two coats, drying between coats. Several sizes of drop-cloths are available and seems like it would be much simpler and easier to do.

Disclaimer: I haven't tried it myself but they swear by it.

quote:

Originally posted by cparktd:
No idea, but a local prepper group my son-in-law belongs to buys cloth drop-cloths and treats them with Thompsons Water Seal. I do not know if they use the water-based version or the solvent-based version. I THINK they spray it on with a garden sprayer, two coats, drying between coats. Several sizes of drop-cloths are available and seems like it would be much simpler and easier to do.

Disclaimer: I haven't tried it myself but they swear by it.

This sounds like a much better idea than using a bedsheet ...

A quick look shows that a tube o' 100% silicone caulk runs about $10 and 32 oz of NAPTHA runs around $12. No idea how this compares to the fabric waterproofers that might be made.

Wonder what the odor is like (long term) from using the NAPTHA? I've used mineral spirits and cannot imagine wearing anything with a spirits based waterproofer, but does NAPTHA stink? Washable or no (guessing not?)?

I have several jackets that are not waterproof, but which I'd love to make waterproof if it otherwise wouldn't affect their wear/feel/durability.

quote:

Originally posted by slabsides45:
but does NAPTHA stink?

Naphtha is the lighter fluid used in Zippo type lighters & other wick type burners. So, yeah.

quote:

Originally posted by vinnybass:

quote:

Originally posted by slabsides45:
but does NAPTHA stink?

Naphtha is the lighter fluid used in Zippo type lighters & other wick type burners. So, yeah.

This I did not know. Soooo, seems like something you'd NOT want to use to waterproof? Or will the silicone and drying ix-nay the flammability of it? Seems an odd choice to put on anything you might have near camps, cigarettes, etc.

The naptha evaporates quickly, leaving the silicone.

quote:

Originally posted by arfmel:
The naptha evaporates quickly, leaving the silicone.

^^^ What he said.

This is pretty cool. I may have to try that out in the near future.

I use 303 fabric protection on my boat covers, Bimini Tops, patio furniture, etc. Rven in the Texas Sun, It lasts about two years and still beads water. I’ve even used it on cloth shoes, and it lasts over a year.