By Dylan Murphy
How to Remove the Seam Sealer from a Tent
After a long day of hiking, camping, or exploring, nothing beats a good night’s sleep in your tent, listening to the cicadas and insects sing you to sleep. That is until you find yourself soaking wet due to a tent leak. To avoid waking up in a puddle or damaging your gear, it’s critical that you waterproof and seam seal your tent before your next camping trip.
But, what if water is leaking through several busted seams on your tent? Should you purchase a new one? Not necessarily. This article will explore how to remove seam sealer from your tent and reapply a new seal seam.
How to Remove Seam Sealer from a Tent?
- Set up your tent in your backyard or garage where there’s enough space.
- Lay your tent down flat where seam sealers are commonly applied) facing up.
- You can also set up the tent as you usually do. But, ensure that you do not accidentally damage the fabric while removing the old seam sealer.
- Prepare rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) or mineral spirits (similar to those used in thin seam sealer) to dissolve the old seam sealer.
- Using a non-abrasive sponge or a rag and the alcohol or mineral spirits, thoroughly clean out the old seam sealer.
- Be careful not to damage the fabric and the stitching on the tent.
- Your tent is now ready for a new coat of seam sealer or seal tape.
Do You Really Need to Waterproof Your Tent?
Unless you buy a high-end tent, you’ll want to set aside some time to waterproof it before your first camping trip. Aside from preventing condensation, you may need to waterproof your new tent to prevent water seepage to prevent wet nights in the wild.
Waterproof materials are used in almost every camping tent, but this does not imply that the tent is watertight in any way. Water will choose the least resistant route usually caused by holes produced in the fabric’s seams, even though it can tolerate a lot of water.
Most high-quality tents come with seal tapes to avoid this very problem. However, tents with thinner fabrics will suffer much faster from degrading seal tapes or seam sealers.
The tape or sealant will break down and flake off over time as it is exposed to moisture, heat, and humidity. If you take good care of your tent, it may take many years. But if you don’t, it may happen rapidly. The biggest offender is keeping your tent wet while storing it. Once the tape or sealant degrades significantly, your seams have no protection.
If you hadn’t applied any seam sealant when you bought your tent, then closely examine your tent seams before and after your trip. Once you see significant degradation, then it is time to remove the old seam sealer and apply a new coat.
Choose The Right Seam Sealer For Your Tent
Seam sealants are required for a variety of various kinds of tent materials and textiles. Because of this, you need to know what kind of tent fabric you have. Choosing the wrong sealant will waste your money and may even damage your tent.
- Silicone-Coated Tent Fabrics – Silicone-coated textiles are often used in ultralight tents and tarpaulins. Sealing them using a silicone-based sealer is necessary since silicone is the only substance that can stick to these materials. For quick fixes, you can make your own silicone sealant. Mix a one-to-one ratio of mineral spirits and pure silicone. However, for waterproofing your entire tent, it is better to check out your nearest outdoor-specialty store for seam sealant options.
- Polyurethane-Coated Ten Fabrics – Polyurethane-coated tent materials, like silicone tents, can only be coated with urethane-based sealants. Gear Aid is a popular brand of seam sealant. Make sure to check the packaging to ensure that you are purchasing the right kinds of sealer.
Generally, you do not need to seam seal Cuber Fiber (Dyneema) tent fibers. If you want extra protection, you can use water-based seam sealers.
How to Apply Seam Sealer
A few simple materials, an hour of your work, and a day to dry are all you need to fix a leaking tent. Find a day with temperatures between 10°C to about 20°C (approximately 50°F to 70°F) that isn’t too humid so that it can dry quickly. Make sure you seal both the interior and the exterior of the seams to prevent water from getting in. This often involves erecting the tent in its usual configuration.
Prepare the following materials:
- Rubbing alcohol or mineral spirits
- A soft cloth or non-abrasive sponge
- The right seam sealer for your tent fabric
- (Optional) A brush that’s about one inch wide for easy application. Some sealants come with an easy applicator or brush.
Then, follow these general steps to seam seal a tent:
- Set up your tent in a well-lit area, such as a dry, sunny spot, so that you can see the seams well. In order to see the rainfly’s seams, flip it inside out.
- Carefully remove the old coating of the seam sealer by following the steps described above. Ensure that you do not damage any stitching or fabric.
- Clean all the seams of your tent thoroughly. Dampen a cloth with rubbing alcohol and use it as a cleaning cloth. Better yet, take this opportunity to wash your tent. Wait for it to dry.
- Apply the fresh sealant to the internal seams using a brush dipped in the sealant mix. To ensure a full seal, spread the seam sealer outward by about a quarter inch on both sides. Remove any extra with a damp cloth.
- Repeat the same process for the exterior side of the seams.
- Let the tent dry thoroughly. Air dry for about 12 to 24 hours and avoid any direct sunlight. If the seam sealer is still sticky after more than a day, you can sprinkle a bit of talcum or baby powder on the seams.
You can test the seal out by spraying your tent with water using a garden hose. Carefully examine for leaks or seepage. Another important reminder is to avoid seam sealing the zippers or the mesh fabric of the tent. Experienced adventurers sometimes use painter’s tape to protect other vulnerable parts of the tent.
FAQ
How do you remove old sealants from a tent?
To remove old sealant from your tent, use a soft cloth or non-abrasive sponge and isopropyl alcohol. Mineral spirits work as well in dissolving the peeling sealant. Dip your sponge or cloth, then carefully remove any remnants of the old seam sealer from your tent. Ensure that you are not damaging any stitching or fabric.
Do you put seam sealer on the inside or outside of a tent?
Most manufacturers would typically apply seam sealers on the coated side of the fabric, usually the inside part. However, for a fully waterproof tent, spend a bit of time sealing both sides of the seams. If unsure, consult with your tent manufacturer.
How do you waterproof a tent?
There are three primary ways to waterproof your tent:
- Apply seam sealer – Whether your tent is new or has been on a few adventures with you, it is worth your time to reapply for a new coat of sealant. This prevents moisture from seeping through, especially during particularly stormy days.
- Refresh the tent’s urethane coating – Manufacturers usually apply urethane coatings on the interior of the rainfly and on the floor of the tent. This prevents any moisture from coming in. But after exposure to several trips and adventures, you may need a new coating.
- Refresh the durable water repellent (DWR) layer – The DWR is what causes water to bead and roll off the tent fabric. If you notice that water is not beading anymore, it is time to spray a new layer of DWR.
How long does it take for the seam sealer to dry?
The seam sealer might take anywhere from three to four hours to cure depending on the weather. However, it is best to let the tent air dry for 12 to 24 hours to ensure that the sealant is not sticky anymore.
Conclusion
A little seam seal may go a long way in preventing leaks, even if the tent is ready to use straight out of the box. Like any of your outdoor gear, tents need some TLC to work at their best. After all, you do not want to find yourself unable to rest because you’re wet and have nowhere else to go during your trip.
Our advice is to carefully examine your tent’s seams after your trip. Exposure to the elements and abuse significantly damage the sealant. Similarly, examine the seams before your next trip as moisture and wrong storage can damage them as well.