TARPS? WHITE OR SILVER?

[AntiM]

Perfect sense, thanks. When you put down the large floor tarp (20X30?) did you just run your stakes for the carports through it, or was everything guyed from outside the structures?

We were going to put up 3 carports side by side but I like your idea better because, if it rains, four of the six roof angles would be dumping water directly into the shade area.

We use two carports with the space between also, and we have three sections of flooring, two from billboard vinyls which are also used to wrap the carport pole bundles like burritos, and a carpet/floorcloth combo in the middle shade area. We nail the floors into the playa, and the tent stakes go through or over the edges of the vinyls. Floorcloth and some of the vinyls have grommets we put in. The big ass landscaping nails are great, although they may have another name.

Don't forget a broom, tarp or vinyl floors get funky fast. And small "welcome" rugs or mats just outside the tent doors really keep your tent and feetsies nicer.

[capjbadger]

Hmmm....I might try making triangular cardboard panels and covering them with space blanket mylar, instead of just stretching the blankets over the dome frame. Certainly would be beefier.
<snip>
That Krylon "Fusion" paint should hold on bubble wrap.

I found that simple thick corragated cardboard spaypainted silver makes great shade. The silver reflects much of the heat, and the air trapped in the carboard insulates the rest.

Capjbadger: Did you use Krylon Fusions spray paint? It comes in silver and doesn't flake.

Hmm... I don't think I did (did this back in 2005). I'll have to test that let you guys know.

Badger

[Dork]

Has anyone actually found 90% aluminet for sale anywhere? Or used two layers of the stuff? All I can find is 70%.

[capjbadger]

Has anyone actually found 90% aluminet for sale anywhere? Or used two layers of the stuff? All I can find is 70%.

http://www.tenax.net/agriculture/products/aluminet.htm

EDIT: Upon further research, it looks like they cheat a bit. Seems it's more like 70% with a black backing.

Badger

[gyre]

I've heard of people using two layers.
I found 80% at a good price.
90% was special order.
The 100% has to be ordered out of the usa or in quantity enough to restart importation.
There is bound to be old stock somewhere.

Silvicool may be the same or close enough.
I'm getting ready to get a lot of reflectix to use inside a container.

There is some aluminet made on license in the usa and similar products not licensed.

[Dork]

Where did you find the 80%?

[gyre]

I don't remember which one, but it was a greenhouse supply house.
One of the first things they said was 'is this for burning man?'

It may have been in the southeast.

[dfw_lr]

There is a cloth called Temptrol that blocks 92% of radiant heat and 95% of all infrared energy. This out performs every paint and cloth on the market. It's similar to the radiant barriers people put in their homes above their attic insulation to keep heat out, only it's a metalized cloth. It is non-woven perforated fabric, that is very plyable and sewable. It's pretty cheap too. It is currently being used in clothing, sleeping bags, etc. to keep the heat in during cold weather, but it works both ways. You can buy the fabric and just sew it to your tent. There is currently a company called Aztec Tents that is looking to use it for that exact purpose, but anyone can buy the fabric by the linear yard. I think this will more than solve your problem. To look at the fabric, go to:

http://www.radiantbarrier.com/temptrol.htm


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[capjbadger]

Thanks for the info. I have a sample on the way. I'll let you guys know how it all looks when I get it.
The phone guy way pretty nice. They sell it by the yard x 59" wide @ 4.39/yd and the price drops after 1000 yards.

Badger

[capjbadger]

So The sample for the Temptrol came in. It looks pretty cool. Basically a mylar like material bonded to a cloth backing. I tried ripping it. No dice. pretty damn strong stuff. It also wouldn't be any louder than a normal tarp flapping in the wind (as vs mylar by itself).
It does have small pinholes in it, so it would let water through if it were to rain. I'd sew this onto a tarp.

I put my hand near this stuff and could feel the heat being reflected.


Badger

[stuart]

best luck I've had is silver tarp, 10' high, pulled ultra tight with aircraft cable. As mentioned before, the tarp reflects much of the heat but does get warm. Getting the tarp well above your head is the trick. Keeping it parallel to the ground and tight allows for plenty of ventilation.