Seam Sealing Tape - WBM FX-800 – Hot Melt - Waterproof PU Coated Fabric– Repair Tape - Iron On

Product Information

Seam sealing is the process of applying a layer of tent sealant to the seams of your tent. The purpose of this is to create a waterproof barrier to prevent leaks, as the seams of your tent are the most vulnerable place for water to seep through. We’re gearheads and have tested the array of seam sealants out there. Gear Aid’s remain the best. For the most bomber one, go with Seam Grip +WP. You can apply this once and be set for many years—we’ve heard decades. It does require a little effort and a longer dry time than others. Seam sealers should be applied to both sides of the seam to be "truly" waterproof, but since they leave a slight residue, I would suggest using it on the wrong side only. This particular seam sealer is ideal for garment applications, but you can also find more heavy duty ones for tarps and tents.

The tape will become more transparent as it seals. Keep pressing until it is fully sealed. If there are any patches that have bubbles or unsealed sections, go over them again until the whole seam is sealed. Since you’re reading this, you’re probably curious about difference between these solutions. And, whether one is better than the others. Let’s dive in. Taped seams are simply seams that have been sewn and then sealed with waterproof tape so that water cannot penetrate through the needle perforations.We work with Bemis to provide you with seam sealing tapes that are effective for your design and product. If you are using a specialty waterproof fabric, you might be wondering the age-old question... to interface or not to interface? Many of these kinds of fabric are entirely synthetic and require a low iron. This can make it difficult to apply fusible interfacing, so you will want to test the heat tolerance of your fabric with a scrap to see if it will melt or curl under your iron. In our case, we used a very lightweight interfacing since our Ultrex was already a very sturdy fabric, and we used an organza press cloth between the iron and our waterproof fabric. The interfacing fused well even with a low heat setting and generally stayed in place. If you find your interfacing bubbles or won't fuse on low heat, you may consider using sew-in interfacing. The purpose of interfacing is to help stabilize the fabric, so it's always a good idea to add it when you can, especially to areas that will see a lot of stress (like where you'll be inserting grommets or snap buttons). Outerwear fabric may be waterproof, but seams and needle holes can still allow water seep through. This can be remedied by applying seam-sealing tape, a waterproof adhesive film. The process is quite simple, and though it adds a bit of extra time to a sewing project, the results are worth it: functional, waterproof outdoor gear, made by you! Materials First, let’s ask: Have you ever experienced a tent with flaking seams? If so, you’re not alone. Seam tape works really well in some applications and less so in others.

That's it, you've created your very own waterproof garment! We hope that these instructions are of use to you, and show you that sewing your own waterproof outerwear is not as difficult as it may seem. You really have a choice here, either use a professional outdoor clothing repair specialist who should be able to reapply heat-activated seam-sealing tape to your clothing. In the case of damaged or flaky seam tape, it is recommended to seam seal your tent to prevent leaks. If your seam tape remains in good condition, and your tent doesn’t have any leaks, seam sealing is not necessary. sprayings best but you can brush it on keeping a wet edge (apply from the bottom upwards) but dont spot spray do the complete thing or it will show

Sew 1/8 inch from the folded edge of the seam. The seam will resemble the seam on jeans when you finish this step. If you are sewing on a heavy waterproof fabric like canvas you are done. If you are sewing a light finely woven fabric go on to step 7. Waterproof Seam Sealing Tape raises the bar in waterproof protection. Whether you’re creating outerwear, tents, or other products that need a watertight finish, waterproofing your seams with seam sealing tape will cover needle holes and keep moisture out. For polyurethane-coated material, we recommend the Gear Aid Seam Grip + WP Waterproof Sealant & Adhesive. One product I have found to work well for a longer period is Thomsons Waterseal. Not really designed for fabrics it does however work well. If you bivvy is past repairing then this may be worth a try. Worked on my Titan.

Seam taping can only be done at the factory because it requires a special machine, and each type of fabric demands an exact temperature for application. Tent factories are typically certified to apply seam tape. Like any piece of high-performance equipment, your tent requires some care (use these tips). But, a little TLC can go a long way toward maintaining its quality. When creating taped seams with specialized waterproofing seam tape, here are a few tips to get the best results. For our waterproof Kelly, we finished all our seams with iron-on seam tape and it made for truly dry seams. You will want to practice adhering the tape with your iron on a scrap piece of waterproof fabric, to test what heat setting works best. The iron has to be hot enough to fuse the tape to the seam, but not so hot that it warps or melts the waterproof fabric. Position the tape over the seam on the wrong side of your fabric, and press for 10-20 seconds. When applying, press just a few inches at a time to make sure the tape is fusing well and is in the correct position. You'll also want to try to keep the tape outside of the seam allowances to reduce bulk and to avoid double layers of seam tape.Wrap the longer side of the seam around the shorter side. Place the raw edge right against the seam line and either iron the fabric down or pin it with the straight pins. To prevent infiltration, tent manufacturers have three options: seam taping, seam sealing, and creating a strong seam construction itself. The materials are the same as above, with the suggested addition of a Tailor's Ham. It is optional, but makes the job much simpler, and we have a free pattern for making a Tailor's Ham. A tent with leaky seams is no fun, especially amid that afternoon downpour. But a tent’s seams are also its most vulnerable zone to rogue and insistent water. Construct seam as directed in tutorial. There should be one row of stitching visible on the right side and two rows on the wrong side.

Sew 1/8 inch from the original seam line. This will give extra durability to the seam on a light fabric. If your seams are stitched and factory-sealed, as in the case of MSR’s Hubba series, but over time wear has exposed areas to leaks, seam sealing is much easier to do. Make sure you clean the garment and degrease the seam area thoroughly before applying and you should be good to go.Once you have a suitable environment, you will need to remove any flaky or damaged seam taping. You will need to be as thorough as possible as remaining tape could interfere with the sealant. Here are instructions for sealing flat seams (such as the Rainhaven Pants and Overalls), as well as curved seams (such as the Sou'wester Rain Hat). Sealing your seam for waterproofing is really a choice you make for outdoor clothing that needs to keep you warm and dry.Without taped seams, the tiny needle perforations on the seam will allow water to penetrate your weather-resistant clothing. Heat seal tapes (aka: hot melt adhesive tapes) used for seams have the flexibility to work with the most delicate of fabrics and under heavy-duty conditions. These tapes consist of multilayered adhesive films that are applied to sewn seams with a hot air taping machine. The combination of the adhesive and heat bond create a watertight seal. Pitch your tent, ensuring it’s completely dry, and apply the sealant to the exterior of your tent’s seams. This will prevent any water from getting into and damaging the stitching of your tent. If you’d like extra assurance you can also apply the sealant to the interior of the seams, however you must always apply to the exterior.