If you have a tent, tarp awning or canopy, it can be tough to know which sealant to use. Below we explain our three seam sealants good for all types of materials, from nylon or silnylon to vinyl and leather.
Seam Grip WP is a waterproof seam sealer that is permanent and cures in 8-10 hours. A 1 oz tube will seal up to 12 feet of seams, making it ideal for 2-3 person tents and rainflies. It will bond with nylon, polyester, canvas, leather, vinyl (PVC), waterproof laminates, and rubber. Seam Grip WP is unaffected by heat or solvents and will typically outlast the material it is applied to.
Seam Grip FC is a water-based seam sealer that cures in 2 hours. Seam Grip FC seals up to 60 feet of seams on tents and tarps of all sizes, and easily glides over big areas of material with its unique applicator brush. Seam Grip FC does not have the permanency that Seam Grip WP has and can be broken down by solvents if necessary.
Seam Grip SIL is a silicone-based seam sealer for use on silicone-coated and silnylon fabrics. It seals up to 24 feet of seams on silicone treated tarps, tents and packs. Seam Grip SIL will flow into seams and “self-level” providing a good looking seam seal.
PLEASE NOTE: Many manufacturers will offer "silicone-treated" fabrics to keep clothing and gear lightweight and waterproof. However, unlike true silnylon fabrics that have silicone infused into the fabric, these silicone-treated fabrics typically have a silicone coating on only one side (outside) and a polyurethane coating on the other (inside). If you are unsure which side of your gear has been coated with silicone, contact the manufacturer. Once you know which side is which, you can treat accordingly.
Seam Sealing Tips
We recommend making repairs or seam sealing from the inside mainly for aesthetic reasons. If the polyurethane coating is on the inside, use Seam Grip WP seam sealer. You do not need to seam seal both sides, so applying Seam Grip WP to the interior of your silicone-treated fabric will suffice.
