Making homemade oilcloth tarps?

[auburnpirate]

I like the idea of having an oilcloth tarp, but don't like the price I've seen on most of them. I was wondering if anyone on here has made their own before, and if so.....how?

 

[woodsie57]

never done it, but I believe it involves painting canvas with a mix of linseed oil and mineral spirits [or some other solvent] and drying it in the sun.

 

[metaldog]

to auburnpirate!

Years ago, a friend was into Civil War re-enactment. He had a period-styled canvas tent that he used for camping. He had tried the oiled canvas & said that even in the strongest downpours it would still leak around sewing seams. He soaked his canvases in Thompson's water seal (as a test). The Thompson's worked very well. No more leaks after that. Just some food for thought...

 

[spencer rifle]

Here's a link to several recipes at the Authentic Campaigner (a Civil War reenactor site):
Oilcloth information sought... - Page 3

 

[auburnpirate]

Thx Metal dog, I've been lurking for awhile, just usually prefer to read.

 

[flnt38]

boiled linseed oil is the old way. if you reboil it youself with a few pieces of limestone in it it supposedly dries faster. you can also use the oil based barn paint from the farm stores which is linseed oil and iron oxide pigment which was a traditional color in the 1700's. hang, paint one side let dry, paint other side.

 

[Cpt Caveman]

Real heavy when done. Never really "dries".
A silnylon tarp would be much lighter and probably keep the rain off your head better.