Polyethylene sheeting repair tape?

[velvetfoot]

Is there tape that would work that would be available in a hardware store, or do you have to get something made for tarps on line?
Could a patch be heated (melted) on?
Thanks.

 

[Corey]

You should probably be able to track down some 'vapor barrier sealing tape' at most major hardware / home improvement stores. That should work as most vapor barrier is PE. Something like 3M 8087 tape:

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/...E3E02LECFTDQGLE0_nid=V75V8DT8VPbeRLPCCS26SWgl

http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/mediawebserver?66666UuZjcFSLXTtmX&cl8TaEVuQEcuZgVs6EVs6E666666;--

3M™ Construction Seaming Tape 8087 is designed to seal seams on housewrap and
insulated sheathing products. It can also be used to seam polyethylene vapor barrier
products as well as to repair holes and tears in these building materials.

Now the key is Polyethylene is a close chemical cousin to teflon Polytetrafluoroethylene [they both have the same ethylene monomer as a base] so while tape may stick and seal, it probably won't be a 100% structural bond, so if you plan on putting a lot of force or movement on the taped joint it may eventually come apart. "Plastic welding" may be an option or 3M also makes a DP-8005 epoxy which is formulated to bond 'low surface energy' plastics like PE.

http://www.3m.com/intl/kr/img/adh/adhesives/dpseries/DP8005.pdf


(note - I'm not associated with 3M, just citing some of their products)

 

[Highbeam]

Consider the price of just replacing the tarp. When you start taping up the little holes in a wood tarp you quickly approach the act of "polishing a turd"

 

[velvetfoot]

Thanks guys.
(Extra words inserted to enable post acceptance.)

 

[firefighterjake]

Consider the price of just replacing the tarp. When you start taping up the little holes in a wood tarp you quickly approach the act of "polishing a turd"

I was thinking along the same lines . . . most tarps aren't all that expensive to simply replace.

 

[velvetfoot]

A long roll of that 6 mil poly isn't that cheap.

 

[TreePapa]

Harbor Frieght usually has good prices on tarps. If you have a local store, it's a good deal, if you have to order and pay shipping, maybe not.

Peace,
- Sequoia

 

[granpajohn]

If it's a tear, not a hole....
I once sewed a heavy PE tarp with needle and thread; then sealed the seam with RTV. It's still holding fine. Tear was about 5 inches long.

 

[webby3650]

I use a lot of the Lowe's brand Tyvek for Mobile home belly repairs. This is braided Polyethylene, the tape for this stuff works very well. I would think this would do very well for a tarp!

 

[Duetech]

For silver tarp repair I use the old two sides duct tape. Usually lasts as long as the tarp.