New Tent Question

[DerbyDave 18]

For my first two burns I've used a regular tent and it's covered in dust every couple of days. The ones I've used have the mesh panels which let in tons of dust. I can't afford the better ones. Last year I tried covering the vents and failed miserably so I'm still trying to find a way to do it. Someone suggested that spray on rubber stuff like in the commercial where they spray it on the bottom of a boat made out of window screen stuff. Anyone think that will work? If not anyone have a better idea?

[FlyingMonkey]

It may be hard to apply & not get it all over the tent but WTH it's a Playa tent so who cares. I have used duct tape & it's lasted 2 burns so far. Aside from what I tracked in myself I really didn't get too much dust in my tent. Of course "too much" is a relative term.

Anyway, I think the spray on rubber would work great but I've never used it myself. Just don't get any on the zippers. I'm assuming that you are only sealing the mesh vents & not the inner screen door/flaps.

[Leap]

I saw people putting a heavy blankets over the tent, clip them into place, then put their rain fly over that.

[AntiM]

I saw people putting a heavy blankets over the tent, clip them into place, then put their rain fly over that.

That's the technique we use for the crappy tents in our camp. Those felted crap blankets you get at truckstops work, or moving blankets, or lightweight comforters from thrift shops. We even use one on our meshless tent to regulate light and temperature. It works.

Years ago, I even used a wedding kimono at our regional!

kimonotented.jpeg

[Chowski]

I've de-meshed a few tents for myself and others, and it works perfectly every time:

Set up the tent in the backyard. You need a glue gun, some scissors and some fabric. Rip stop nylon is the best - if you can cut up your old tent, perfect. if not, a densely woven bed sheet will work - hold it up to the light, if you can see through small holes, playa can get in.

Start on the outside of the tent, at the top of each mesh section. Put a hefty dab of glue at the very top center, and then center your fabric onto the glue, making sure that when the piece is draped, it will cover the entire mesh section. Work sideways and down, making a long (one foot?) bead of glue, and then smoothing the fabric into it while it dries enough to hold. Work all the way around the mesh, pulling your fabric taut but not tight with each new strip of glue, and you will end up with the mesh entirely covered with fabric and surrounded by glue. Wait a few minutes until the glue is dried and hard, then come back with your scissors and trim away any excess fabric OUTSIDE the circle of glue.

It's super easy, and will last at least one burn before the glue starts to give a bit. I usually reinforce the glue seams before each burn, and have used the same tent four times before it finally broke down completely.

Tips:

Always work from outside - if you put the fabric inside, dust will collect under the mesh and hang over your head.

Choose a tent which has minimal mesh to begin with.

Choose a fabric which is light in weight, but tightly woven - too much extra weight on a flimsy tent can stress the frame.

It's easy, it works, and it's cheap.

[Ratty]

Thanks Chowski, You just reminded me. I need to remove all the fleece that I so carefully sewed on my tent a couple of years ago. I want to sew on an old rain fly instead. The playa dust filters in through the fleece. I'm going to hot glue it to the mesh as well as around the mesh window. I'm not worried about ruining anything.

[DerbyDave 18]

Thanks guys. Sounds a lot easier than spray rubber. First two burns did all sorts of things wrong. Third I hope Ill get at least most things right.

[DoctorIknow]

For at least 5 years, my Velro has stayed FUSED onto the tent nylon. (Note, it is not glued!)

It is Velco Fusion, and it seems they have changed the name to Velcro Iron-On, but it is the same product.
Follow the instructions very carefully. Steam iron, hottest heat of iron, protective dishcloth type barrier while heating, lots of pressure and check the seal before you think you're finished as you might have missed a spot.

Basically the glue melts into the tent fabric. Tricky as you don't want too much of it to seep into the tent fabric, as of course, some has to be left on the velcro.

I thought the high heat might harm the integrity of the ripstop nylon, but that didn't happen. As I said: 5 years on the playa, no fail.

One must do this on a flat surface. I put a piece of plywood under, so it's plywood under the tent fabric, Fusion on the tent fabric, dishcloth on the fusion, iron on top.

DO NOT TRY STICK-ON VELCRO.....IT ABSOLUTELY WILL NOT WORK---MUST USE BELOW ITEMS
(which are at WalMart in the fabric section and on Amazon also)

These two packaging's contain the same item:

velcro.jpg

velcro iron on.JPG