A sample test piece of noseeum netting bonding with acetic cure RTV silicone rubber.
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Noseeum silicone rubber glueing for ultralight tents

The use of acetic cure RTV silicone rubber is described for DIY glueing No-see-um insect netting to ultralight tents.

Ultralight ‘single-skin’ backpacking tents often have condensation problems that can be improved by providing insect-proof ventilation. This post describes the use of acetic cure RTV silicone rubber to attach noseeum insectproof netting to lightweight backpacking tents.

The strength of the bonding of the No-see-um netting to the tent will depend on the properties of the tent fabric and any waterproofing that has been applied to that fabric. This means that some bonding will be excellent while some will be mediocre with respect to peel strength.

Even in a mediocre glueing situation, the glueing can be used successfully if supplemented with hand or machine stitching. “This stitching is made very easy, for a mug sewer like me, after the silicone glue has cured. For me, the glueing is easier than pinning, tack stitching and then formal sewing!”

A sample test piece of noseeum netting bonding with acetic cure RTV silicone rubber.
A sample test piece of noseeum netting bonded to silnylon tent fabric with acetic cure RTV silicone rubber. On the left side the netting has be pressed down into a thin bed of the silicone rubber. On the right, the bonding has been completed with a second thin layer of rubber. The orange silnylon shown has excellent bonding properties. However, other fabrics with poorer bonding properties can have the bonding supplemented with hand or machine stitching. “After glueing the stitching is very easy “.
A silicone rubber glued noseeum netted vent in the base of a bell tent base wall.
A silicone rubber glued noseeum netted vent in the base of a bell tent base wall.
A noseeum netting vent that has been glued to the apex of a tent using RTV silicone rubber. A small part of the netting can be seen under the rain hood that is also glued in place.
A noseeum netting vent that has been glued to the apex of a tent using RTV silicone rubber. A small part of the netting can be seen under the rain hood that is also glued in place. “The faded colour of the tent, when compared to the new rain cover, is due to the tent being used/enjoyed many times in our bright Aussie sunshine.”

For a detailed description of these bonding issues for many fabrics and materials please see my cornerstone post:

DIY RTV silicone rubber uses for backpacking gear.

Tim

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