MLD Rain Mitts

I seamed sealed the MLD mitts a bit different after my research and using "past knowledge" seam sealing tents and clothing over twenty years.

My method is as follows:

PREP:
1.I used Poly-down fiberfill (Can be purchased at a fabric or Wal-Mart for under five dollar) for pillows that my wife who does extensive sewing had in her sewing room. Paper towels or some other soft stuffing cloth or paper to fill out the inside of mitt I would thing would be totally appropriate…. takes a lot but I reusable. TURN THE MITTS INSIDE OUT. You are filling the OUTSIDE of the mitt and sealing the INSIDE SEAMS. Stuff the thumb first and then the rest of the mitt until full. Keep it the stuffing material you are using tight as you are filling it. DO NOT stuff it half full and then start cramming it down—Too much pressure will stress the seams. Once it is stuffed, it is easy to apply a small bead of sealer on all seams.
2.Clean seams with Cotol-240™ Cleaner & Cure Accelerator or isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol.

APPLY:

1.NON DILUTED – McNettt Seam Grip will seal and strengthen the seams BUT I found the amount supplied with the mitts were insufficient for both mitts and I ended up using 1.0 oz rather than the .5 oz supplied. Apply a thin film of Seam Grip to each side of the seams (one coat).
2.DILUTED – To make the Seam Grip flow more freely into the seam and sewing holes I diluted Seam Grip (3 parts) to Cotol-240™ Cleaner & Cure Accelerator (1 part). (Strongly suggest using rubber gloves.) For 2-hour dry time, mix small batches of Seam Grip with Cotol-240™. Work swiftly to insure penetration and I ran my fingers down both sides of the seam in a squeezing fashion to spread the sealer into the material and sewing holes. Try to do it in ONE smooth pass.

DRY: Hang the mitts attached with two spring loaded clothes pins to a line for drying purposes. Let dry overnight (approximately 8-12 hours—may be longer in low humidity) for NON DILUTED application.

CLEAN UP: Seam Grip will dry (cure) and flake off hands. Washing hands in soap and water will accelerate curing. Uncured Seam Grip can be partially removed with a coarse cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol. For easiest clean up wear disposable rubber gloves.

STORAGE: Left over Sam Grip partially used in tube can be placed in freezer to preserve quality….I doubt that you will have any extra.

BOTTOM LINE: Mitts were fully waterproof.

Thanks for the response. I found some of your ideas insightful. I like the idea of using the fiberfill to stuff the gloves. Cleaning the seams also seems to be a good idea (something if failed to do but perhaps not totally necessary with brand new gloves?)

I'm intrigued by your sealing the inside of the glove as opposed to the outside, or did you say you seal both? What is your reasoning for sealing the inside of the mitts? I tried to follow the directions Ron gives on the MLD website and the video was filmed from my understanding of them. I may be wrong which is why I'm here to learn from others with more experience.
Thanks,
James

I'm intrigued by your sealing the inside of the glove as opposed to the outside, or did you say you seal both?

>>>SEALED inside ONLY.

What is your reasoning for sealing the inside of the mitts?

>>> Wanted to insure the sewing hole and the material that was joined in the process were sealed.

I found many on line comments concerning the lack of penetration and leakage from the established MLD process.(This could be because of improper application or …….?) To insure the seams are sealed OR if you had leakage after use, you also can place another coating of Seam Grip on all seams.

Nice Work James! I'm gonna link to the video!

I am sure it will be well sealed. You can always test it and then do any touch ups as needed.

Other methods like the one Ken described can excellent well too.

If you have a lot experience in various seam sealing and using the various ingredients involved you will have informed options and in that case I always say " Go With What You Know".

if you are looking for a quick and well proven way to do it the way James showed works well.

When I sealed my mitts, I used a toothpic to apply the sealant. It made it easier to control the amount being applied so it was a nice thin bead and to insure it got down into the seam. This takes longer but I also didn't get any on my hands as a result.