Message-Id: <199805190224.TAA16356@dogbert.yknet.yk.ca>
From: "George Privett" <gprivett@yknet.yk.ca>
To: baidarka@lists.intelenet.net
Date: Mon, 18 May 1998 19:23:24 -8:00
Subject: Re: [baidarka] waterproofing canvas
HI Len,
The cotton was a 1 foot square chunk from my wife's rag bag. I think
it was from a pair of baker's cotton pants. I was going to try it
on a chunk of heavier canvas but did not get around to it. I ended
up playing with some kayak designs instead.
The mixture varied. I eye-balled it and felt the consistency with my
fingers. The first was very thin ( I got the idea from silicone
fabric water repellent spray found in camping stores) and it soaked
right into the fabric.
The second layer was about as thick as latex paint. The thinner
soaked into fabric, but I don't think much silicone got into the
weave. However it served the purpose in that I was able to paint it
on the cloth. When dry, it adhered well to the material. You can
scrape bits of it off if you put the cloth on a hard surface and
scrape the silicone hard with scissors.
The clear silicone seems tougher than the coloured stuff, but I can't
quantify it.
The cloth can be stretched on the bias so this might
make it easier to fit over the cockpit rim.
The underside feels ok on the skin. If you used a white silicone it
would probably cool on a hot sunny day.
I also trying gluing two pieces of cloth together instead of sewing
it. There was a one inch overlap and the silicone seal bonded the
two pieces of cloth together quite well.
> hi george thanks for the reply , two questions though what proportions did
> you use ie:50/50,60/40 or until it felt right .and what weight cotton did
> you use . thanks again and i cant wait to try it myself
>
> len
George
G Privett, Whitehorse, Yukon