AQUA SEAL vs SEAM GRIP

[Huzefa @ Blue Bolt Gear]

http://www.questoutfitters.com/miscelaneous-cart.htm

Aqua seal seam sealer 2oz. bottle $4.45
SEAM GRIP SEAM SEALER 1 oz. tube $6.95

Anyone used aqua seal? price seems to be too good. Is it in diluted form?

[Roger Caffin]

Hi Huzefa

Aqua Seal is a water-based suspension of some polymer, while Seam Grip is a curing polyurethane polymer.

I have used Aqua Seal on one tent. After heavy rain the stuff along the ridge line went white from absorbed water. I was left very doubtful about how long it would last and whether it would rub off or wash away! I would add that the ridge leaked in one spot under very heavy rain too, but that may have been my fault.

The PU sealants are good stuff: much more reliable imho. You need to clean the surface and press the Seam Grip into the fabric though, to get it to adhere.

Cheers

[Huzefa @ Blue Bolt Gear]

Thanks Roger.

[Greg Mihalik]

Roger,
Is there a solvent that can be used on Seam Grip to thin it?

Like using mineral spirits on Silicone?

Thanks.

[Roger Caffin]

Hi Greg

This I do not know. You might be able to use something like Xylene – maybe. But that is not sold at your local hardware shop.
Best ask McNett I think? (I too would like to KNOW!)

Cheers

[Greg Mihalik]

Roger,
I happen to have a can of xylene.

But I'll contact McNett and see if they'll talk.

[Roger Caffin]

Hi Greg

And what are you doing with a can of Xylene????

Never mind: we want to hear what you come up with!

Cheers

[John S.]

Xylene is a very nasty chemical. I would never use xylene, but instead mineral spirits. You may risk destroying whatever fabric you put xylene on, in my opinion.

[Greg Mihalik]

"You will risk destroying whatever fabric you put xylene on, in my opinion."

Not to mention your contact lenses, lungs, kidneys, liver, unborn child …… (not joking)

It is not to be used without all due precautions.

BTW Roger – I'm awaiting a response from McNett.

[John S.]

We use xylene in the laboratory, but alot more precaution is taken with xylene than even with 10% formalin.

[David Olsen]

Funny, but I have had seam grip turn yellow and
flake off of tents and had
the Aqua Seal stay put.

Aqua Seal works well on waders and
wet suits too.

I thought the difference in price was due to the seam grip
coming with applicator and brush.

[Greg Mihalik]

McNetts reply to my request for a thinning agent:

"We manufacture a formula designed for this reason. It is called Cotol 240 and should be available at the same place you purchased your Seam Grip.

"The best ratio is 1 part Cotol to 3 parts Seam Grip. This is also a cure accelerator and will quicken the set time to around 2 hours."

Looking up the MSDS for this product shows the active agents are METHYL BENZENE and DIBUTYLBIS STANNANE, and that "NO TARGET ORGANS [are] LISTED FOR CHRONIC EXPOSURES".

But I still don't think I want to go there.

[Roger Caffin]

Hi Greg

I am guessing wildly here, but …

I think the dibutylbis stannane is a tin salt, and I know tin salts are accelerators for some polymer curing actions.

That would make the methyl benzene the thinning agent. Hum … I would check the MSDS from other sources …

Cheers

[Huzefa @ Blue Bolt Gear]

Just to clarify things:

My question was Aquaseal vs seam Grip. Aquaseal is a different company then Mcnett (which makes seam grip). Mcnett also makes another product called aquaseal which is thicker/stronger version of seamgrip. This I think explain the different experiences of David and Roger.

[S s]

Here are some comments from my call to mcnett:
-seam grip and aquaseal are the same formulation but different viscosities (grip is thinner)
-seam grip comes with a brush applicator
-both products can be thinned with toluene or the mcnett thinner/acelerant
-they are moisture cure, urethane based so to keep them longer, freeze them (drier air in the freezer).
-once cured they will not react with thinners.

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