Sealing Tent Mesh Options?

[SpikyKitten]

Howdy, Burning Man Hivemind!

I'm thinking about trying out some new and improved tent mesh sealing options (the old blanket patches which have been attached with a zillion safety pins just isn't cutting it after many Burns) and was hoping to get some communal input/wisdom . . .

Option 1: Use plastic patches attached to the mesh areas with clear Gorilla Tape.
Option 2: Use that clear Flex Seal spray (like on the As Seen On TV commercial)
Option 3: Just use strips of Gorilla Tape to cover the mesh.

Any help is greatly appreciated - thanks!

[TT120]

That flex seal stuff looks like it would work pretty well. It sure sealed off that screen door bottomed boat.

If it were me, I'd probably try it and bring a couple extra cans to the playa with me for on-site repairs if needed. Of course, I'm not really known for making good decisions.......

[Canoe]

Say no to any Gorilla Tape tapes. Their performance on playa is just too variable: some great reports, some disasters, some lackluster. Don't know if it's a production issue, shipping/storage issue or the product is too old (issues with new stock too).

All sorts of things have been tried. Some work well, others, are a no go.
If you go with tape, make sure its a low residue. Gaffers is golden, and available in light or white, but $$$.

Use Google to search eplaya for prior attempts, successes and failures.
Make sure what is presented as a "success" isn't a one hit wonder in a low wind year.

(I'm impressed with the Reflectix (spelling) radiant barrier bubble wrap. There's 'space blanket' radiant barrier bonded to cheap tarps available too, if you like the idea of cutting that up to custom fit. )

[FlyingMonkey]

Idunno, I just used fancy sparkly duct tape from (DECODIMIFICATION EDIT)-Mart. It's held for 3 years now. I like the spray on rubber idea though. If that doesn't seal it nothing will.

Avoid the zippers & it should work like a champ. I may even get rid of my tape & try that.

How about a post-Playa report on what you used & how it worked (or didn't).

Also, a good dust protocol will go a long way to keeping your tent as "dust free" as possible. It doesn't matter how well sealed your tent is if you leave the fly open, don't use a mat outside the door, or do other things to bring dust in to your well sealed abode.

I have accepted & embraced the dust.

Be One With The DUST

[spacetime]

We're hexayurting these days, but my first two years I used fun-colored duct tape, which works well but eventually needs to be replaced off but probably not during the burn:









Our shelter backup is still sealed tents, but I moved away from duct tape and instead to fabric glue.

I think we used one called fabri-tac. Fabric glue takes longer to do because you have to be more exact with your cuts. But it also seems more permanent than tape.

In retrospect I actually think duct tape is easier because you are probably going to miss spots anyway or need to patch something up out there and both options sort of ruin the tent for general use.

[Token]

If you go regularly to Burning Man, getting a 4-Seson tent is so much easier.

[SpikyKitten]

Thanks for the hivemind feedback, y'all!

At this point, I think I'm looking at getting a new (easier to set up) tent, which has little-to-no mesh and what little mesh it does have, I think I'll use some radiant barrier solution with gaffers tape as Canoe mentioned up above.

I'll be sure to update this thread with my results and findings!

[BBadger]

Be aware that tape adhesive can damage tent fabrics. I left a note on my tent with duct tape and forgot to remove it and it had damaged the coating of the fabric. If you value your tent, make sure you don't leave that stuff on for long periods.

[Capt. RON]

an excerpt from the "Captain's LOG - Shelter

Dust is constant on the PLAYA, dust gets on EVERYTHING and EVERYWHERE!
You can minimize the amount of dust in your sleeping area by purchasing tents with SOLID walls, NOT mesh.

Oh? but mine has a rain fly to cover up the mesh…..

Sorry, that’s not going work very well, the winds will just blow the dust up thru the sides and IT will cover EVERYTHING.

I already have a tent but it has mesh wall / windows

• Root thru your linen closet and dig up an old mismatched set of sheets or go visit mom’s house and tell her you need some bedding (mom’s love to help out) or go to the local GOODWILL store and buy some sheets.
  
  SAFETY pin the sheet to the mesh and use a pair of scissors to cut the sheet about 1in to 2in bigger all around the size and shape of your mesh
  
  You’d be surprised how much this will cut down on dust accumulation in your sleeping area.
  
  DO NOT use duct tape to seal up the mesh on a tent, because when it gets hot, it will turn into a sticky mess

[Ratty]

Spacetime, great job there. I removed the fleece I had sewn over the mesh. Turns out the fleece was just a dust filter. No wonder my tent was always full of dust. I glued some reflective nylon fabric over the mesh panels. A motorcycle cover. It was wood glue and I left it clamped overnight. Two dozen bull nose clips come in handy all the time. The glue barely held when I dragged it inside and sewed it. I've saved a few old rainflys for tent repair. Next time it will be...
1. Set up the tent.
2. safety pin into place leaving 6 inches extra fabric all around.
3. sew and cut off the extra.
4. No gluing. No trying to cut corners.

I say 'next time' because the poles have already split and the zippers are getting difficult. I don't get too attached to tents. Vinegar and chapstick can only do so much. I need holy water.

[jodimoonbeam]

Hi! This is an important topic. I've used an amazing 'palace' tent for the last two years that has been really good to me.
https://www.costco.com/Coleman-10-perso ... 48581.html

Problem is, it has mesh openings over the entire top. I sealed them and it has held up very well. Here's how:
I work in the hospital and I used the thick paper/plastic coverings they wrap sterile instruments in and cut it to the size of the mesh. I also think plastic or fleece would work fine.

I used high-quality fabric glue to glue this to my tent mesh. This is what I used:
http://www.michaels.com/beacon-fabri-ta ... 5eEALw_wcB

This project took a good afternoon to complete but it's worked well for me. Minor repairs to a couple parts of the glue-job are needed before going out this year.

It held up great and I had no dust in my tent except what escaped through the door. Hot as holy hell though - gonna get a battery operated fan to move that hot air around.

Hope this helps at least one person!
xo

[Ratty]

Don't use fleece to seal up your mesh. After many years I figured out that the dust was coming through it. I always blamed it on leaving the door or window open. Nope, fleece just filters it but doesn't stop it.

[FlyingMonkey]

Idunno, I just used fancy sparkly duct tape from (DECODIMIFICATION EDIT)-Mart. It's held for 3 years now. I like the spray on rubber idea though. If that doesn't seal it nothing will.

Avoid the zippers & it should work like a champ. I may even get rid of my tape & try that.

How about a post-Playa report on what you used & how it worked (or didn't).

Also, a good dust protocol will go a long way to keeping your tent as "dust free" as possible. It doesn't matter how well sealed your tent is if you leave the fly open, don't use a mat outside the door, or do other things to bring dust in to your well sealed abode.

I have accepted & embraced the dust.

Be One With The DUST

Yes, I'm self quoting.

Just to follow up. I tried the spray-on rubber stuff and didn't have very good success. Maybe if I had something backing the mesh it would have worked better but it just blew right through.