DIY Rubber Ground Sheet: Civil War Gum Blanket for Survival & Camping

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks so much for watching! Please leave me a thumbs up and a comment in the section below. Make sure and check out our website at www.waypointsurvival.com where you can sign up for classes and check out the required gear list!

[@CountryCampers]

I used to be a civil war reenactor and I can personally say this Rubber Ground Sheet is a life saver, especially when it rains. Thank you for this awesome DYI how to. I am a new subscriber. By the way, I wanted to express my gratitude seeing you giving thanks before every meal. You've inspired me in so many ways I cant even begin to express.

[@jeffcallison9987]

Thanks for the awesome idea.

[@josho5108]

Bonus points for wearing the same shirt for continuity purposes 💕

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks!

[@STho205]

I bought a vulcanized black rubber gum blanket in 1998 2nd hand. Made/sold by CD Jarnigan originally. Paid $20. Originally $60. Has lasted me 26 years...not a leak or tear. Still use it as a tent floor pad in modern dome tents, or as a bedding ground cloth. 2.5 yds of muslin, 6-12 cans of spray....I'm guessing this cost you more than $20...and even more than $60...but still a fun project. My wife got a stack of muslin hotel sheets for free. I made two big ground sheets with them but old school with surplus oxblood barn paint. They actually have held up for a couple decades...and the unpainted side looks like I slaughtered something on it...but it keeps me dry or can be tossed over a stack of gear.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Sounds great! Things that are made well generally last a long time and are much better than cheaper items.

[@jfu5222]

I was just thinking about my minimalist setup for a motorcycle trip when this video shows up. Thanks James!

[@WayPointSurvival]

You're welcome!

[@maxpinson5002]

Good Luck Dress to crash

[@jfu5222]

@@maxpinson5002 I always wear a helmet, for the same reason some people won't wear one, vanity!

[@maxpinson5002]

@@jfu5222 That's wise Hopefully you also wear high boots and have eye protection and gloves, etc. Sweat washes off easily. Big patches of gravel embedded road rash only leave scars that never go away. I always cringe seeing these dudes wearing only shorts and flip flops and a $125.00 pair of designer sunglasses. Oh well. . . Good Luck

[@sunshineandsmiles9668]

So what are you going with? I keep playing around with different set ups.

[@craigeckhoff99]

Former 50 of 74 years a hobo. Another great video. I remembered something my granny told me as a kid. Raw wool right from the sheep is waterproof. It's the lanolin that makes it so, but processed wool has the lanolin removed. So then adding lanolin to a wool blanket would make it waterproof. Tho it can be washed out. There are lanolin sprays for wool but that might be a bit of a problem using enough to waterproof a blanket. Pure lanolin is like lard and needs to be thinned downed ( turpentine for example ) and the blanket can be waterproofed. But that's kind of a pain in the butt for doing. Also it would tend to be much heavier than the muslin waterproofing you use. Lanolin might be better used for say just a sweater as a way to improve it's use.

[@markm7824]

Are you saying you were a Hobo for 50 years?

[@markm7824]

Are you saying you were a Hobo for 50 years?

[@craigeckhoff99]

@@markm7824 Yes. I left home on a freight train at age 15. Learned the ropes from some old timers. Got good at it and pretty much continued until age 65. My leg got so bad I could barely even get on a stopped train. So put in for social security at age 66.

[@markm7824]

@@craigeckhoff99 As a Hobo, you reported income to retire on at 66?

[@craigeckhoff99]

@@markm7824 Yes. So many people don't understand about half of all homeless work. But they stay off the radar and hide the fact they are homeless. They just don't make enough to rent a place so sleep in their cars or camp in well hidden places. Also stay as clean as possible. The trouble is the other half that everybody sees, and it gives a twisted, drunk, druggie, and dirty view. HOBOs were and are working men/women just with itchy feet. I usually worked all Spring and Fall when temporary jobs were the most plentiful. Then traveled around in the Summer and Winter. Partly to scout out new areas or checkup on places I had been before. I had a " circuit " of cities where one could find many temporary jobs. As long as you weren't picky about the job or the pay. Also helped I could speak a little Spanish.

[@thomas-i5o7h]

Adding a coat or two of that Rustoleum Leak Seal to my gear, backpack, sleeping bag, tent etc would probably be a good idea to help it all last longer in the outdoors.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Good idea!

[@e.s.l5861]

I wouldn’t add it to your sleeping bag, I don’t think you’d like the end result. It’d be super clammy

[@user-ul5yu5hk9k]

Not sure if you want this product directly on your skin all the time either as it might be carcinogenic. However, for a Bivy or shelter, I would think it would be fine or for coating the bottom of the backpack where it comes in contact with the ground

[@becca318]

@e.s.l5861 .. Yeah, it would be better on a SB cover he can off instead.

[@darrinrebagliati5365]

Might add a bit of weight too!

[@Flashahol]

When I did mine I found that it took too many spray cans so I opted to paint it on. Much more painful process but it took 1 1/2 small cans for one side and I went for 7'X5'. That grommet kit is of amazing quality compared to what I can get locally!

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks for watching!

[@KevinSmith-yh6tl]

I finally have a chance to move back into a house with a backyard. This is definitely going to be on my " THINGS TO DO LIST" 👍

[@WayPointSurvival]

Wonderful!

[@KevinSmith-yh6tl]

@@WayPointSurvival Thanks. 👍 And MANY thanks to God.

[@deborahpadgett2417]

What a great idea!!! Leave it to James to come up with the coolest things. You rock!!!❤❤❤

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks so much!

[@Captain-Max]

You held up well for the 5 yrs, but more importantly, so did the tarp. I was wondering about aging and cracking. Neither you nor the tarp aged much at all. As you were spraying, I was thinking leaving one side uncoated might be more comfortable for a cowboy roll, but I think being totally waterproof would be more useful. I really like these diy tarps... oil cloth, etc. It's so much more authentic than blue plastc tarps.

[@darrinrebagliati5365]

Do this to a blue tarp, they don't end up blue any more. I've seen green and brown rubber paint too!

[@SCRAMBLER390]

Still look just as young now James. You haven't changed hardly a bit. Great video. God Bless

[@WayPointSurvival]

Wow, thanks and God bless you too!

[@savagepro9060]

WayPoint drops a video. I postpone dinner!

[@WayPointSurvival]

Wow, thanks!

[@darrinrebagliati5365]

I used an old truck tarp for one, they come double sided. I'm working on one of an RV awning at the moment, hand stitching is fun. Was thinking of doing one side of a wool blanket like that, but decided to use a regular sheet and back the wool with it using buttons. That's next project! Great vid! Thanks!

[@WayPointSurvival]

Very cool!

[@jamesellsworth9673]

This is a fine and very doable project. I did a two-ply tarp using a welding blanket and a Reflectix layer. This project produces a much lighter finished item.

[@jimcy1319]

If you're doing anything with spray cans, as well as shaking it between spraying it can be warmed up initially in a bucket of hot ( not boiling) water.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Good idea!

[@NoOneSpecial13]

was going to mention this, beat me to it lol.

[@jimcy1319]

@@NoOneSpecial13 ya snooze ya loooooose.😂👍

[@jamessotherden5909]

Pretty nice idea. I think I will do that to the bottoms of my canvas packs and bags too.

[@WayPointSurvival]

That's a great idea!

[@jamesmoore9511]

I was reading my great grandfathers civil war diary - While marching through a town he and his tent mate ran into a outfitters store and bought hammocks - that night they tied them between trees and while everyone else got wet they stayed dry under their shelter halves in there hammocks.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Very cool! Did he mention what town or state they were in at the time?

[@jamesmoore9511]

@@WayPointSurvival Specifically no - he was in the signal corp and never said exactly were he was. Every now and then he would write "on patrol" and no more or "stayed to camp". He was captured once by a Confederate patrol but freed the next day when an unnamed northern company "dropped in to say hello".

[@WayPointSurvival]

@@jamesmoore9511 Thanks so much for the reply! Do you suppose you could take a photo of that page of his journal and send it to me?

[@gwpattrick]

Yeah. I bought a 30 x 60 from coalcracker bushcraft. A day later, I saw a guy make one out of a painters drop cloth. I might do that.

[@becca318]

@gwpattrick .. Would be pretty cool, but a lot heavier then Muslin fabric, don't ya think?

[@miken7629]

Alternative to rubber is to first seal the canvas fibers with Kilz Exterior Primer and all weather sealer (primer is white) then you can paint over using Rust-oleum Ultra Cover Latex Paint.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Good point!

[@josephmartin1540]

Wow, love this. Once had a rubberized poncho. Got rid of it as acid because it was heavy. Wish I still had that one!

[@WayPointSurvival]

As they say, there's no school like the old school!

[@TimRiddles]

I waterproofed the roof of my clam shell ice fishing hut with Flex Seal and used it as tent in the rain, works pretty well even had to spray multiple layers to fill holes in fabric Keeps me dry

[@WayPointSurvival]

Absolutely. It's great stuff!

[@caminodantoo]

Ever since I first saw this tarp of yours I’ve thought I must make one of these. I open you tube this evening and hey presto….

[@WayPointSurvival]

Glad you liked it!

[@nancysalerno7036]

Love this video ! I have fixed my leaking copper flat roof with the spray . Temporary fix on 150 yr old survivor but economical. I am going to make some tarps and buy some fresh product for roof touch up too. Thanks!

[@WayPointSurvival]

You're welcome!

[@quintork4100]

Another excellent diy James my friend ,i been here since lockdown and went round the mountains of north wales sharing James's survival tips with my homeless friends, your a gem mate

[@jimhinds]

How can I subscribe

[@WayPointSurvival]

That's so very awesome, my friend! I hope that it's been a help to them!

[@chrish3720]

You are a genius Blackpot! I am going to use this stuff on my old poncho. Thanks

[@WayPointSurvival]

You're welcome!

[@alexdetrojan4534]

This is the type video i like, showing how its done. Great job James.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Glad you liked it!

[@jonoliver1986]

James, you have inspired me to get back into my bushcraft/survival hobby after a busy decade of not getting out in the woods. Have you thought about doing a Revolutionary War era survial series? Take care and God bless you.

[@WayPointSurvival]

I haven't. The closest that I've gotten to it was the 1790s Survival series.

[@shadowstalker130666]

What a great idea! Gives me an idea. Using this technique to make a gum blanket bivy bag for my blanket bedroll.

[@WayPointSurvival]

That's a great idea!

[@Lightning77AThiker]

I've made some of these when I was doing Civil War reenactments using the original recipe. They take days to dry , and boiled linseed oil is highly flammable.

[@dreadnought8363]

What is the original recipe if you don't mind me asking?

[@Lightning77AThiker]

@@dreadnought8363 it called for lamp black , but I haven't figured out exactly what that is. Most people use a mixture of modern gloss black mixed with linseed oil . It takes a long time to dry but will have a rubberized type finish when done. Goodyear got their start with a similar vulcanized product , that was used in ground cloths , knapsacks and other gear during the Civil War.

[@dreadnought8363]

@@Lightning77AThiker thanks.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Very true!

[@quinntheeskimooutdoors6234]

That’s real nice James. I made one many years ago when I started Civil War reenacting. Take care 😊

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks so much, my friend!

[@pasjeihobby]

This episode reminded me I have to find my waterproof blanket in basement :) Few years ago I tossed it there and since then noone have seen it 🤣🤣🤣 Great job !

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks!

[@johnburgin7478]

Wouldn’t mind doing this as a project with my youngest. Thanks for posting it

[@WayPointSurvival]

You're welcome!

[@jpoppinga8417]

I was going to do the bed sheet treated with a mixture of silicone and naptha. But might try this instead.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Glad you liked it!

[@christiansfortruth5953]

Why not go to the store and buy a tarp. Much easier. 😅😅😅😅

[@bushcraftoz2]

Funny how the internet works. Have been looking at making a rubberised blanket....and then your video turns up. Really like these how to videos. I do these projects with my kids to help build self reliance and have some fun

[@WayPointSurvival]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@smoothvern165]

Very cool project! Great demonstration on how to make it!

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thank you very much!

[@edwardknudsen4806]

Awesome,worked well to re waterproof the top flap of my alice pack.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Excellent!

[@michaelbrunner6654]

Great idea. That's a life saver for sure.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@Oldsparkey]

Many years ago on a canoeing trip one of the guys had a homemade tarp. He waterproofed it with a silicon spray and that tarp stayed nice and dry. He also sprayed his tent with it and it never leaked on that trip ( we had rain , lots of it ) . I have a water resistant backpack and doing the same but with some Scotch-guard. They make one especially for waterproofing tents so why not a backpack.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Yes, a lot of people use that on tents etc.

[@peterbailey6930]

Great stuff James Another outstanding video.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Blrtech77]

James, What A Great Tutorial Video. Thank You and God Bless Also Be Safe!

[@WayPointSurvival]

Glad you enjoyed it and God bless you too!

[@Seamus3051]

Tank you, Mr. Bender, for another useful, inovative video. Staay well & safe. Cheers.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks, you too!

[@CalumMacNeil-qb6wp]

Well Macintosh would be well proud of you.👌👍

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks for watching!

[@branch_preparedness]

Great video!! I'm going to make this for sure.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Excellent, my friend!

[@scottsmith6643]

Awesome tip/project , as usual! Cheers

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks so much!

[@mrkultra1655]

Thanks, James, I'll have to keep this one in mind

[@WayPointSurvival]

You're welcome!

[@honorableoutfitters]

Nice! If I recall correctly, if you coat the underside with corn starch there won't be the bleeding through...it's been years though so I may have that wrong.

[@WayPointSurvival]

You may be right. Thanks for watching

[@colpitts350]

This is very similar to the half shelter I was issued in the Canadian Forces! They could be twinned to make a tent. Or used as a ground sheet.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Indeed.

[@umbrellacorp.]

I love this channel. 😁👍💯

[@WayPointSurvival]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@MichaelR58]

Good video James, thanks for sharing, YAH bless brother !

[@WayPointSurvival]

You're very welcome, my friend! May God bless you too!

[@terryfallert1371]

Wow I love it, the poncho is a little small for me, I can fix that now thanku

[@WayPointSurvival]

Glad I could help!

[@GrandFatherOutdoors]

Awesome James! I've been wanting to make one of these for several years now. I even bought a fairly large canvas sheet to make it out of! I wasn't sure what kind of rubber to use, and there was the question of durability. I appreciate you posting this, I have the info I needed to make one. I know it's going to have some weight to it, but it's versatility off sets the weight. Again, thanks for the lesson.

[@alissa.e]

Ive seen someone coat fabric in silicone and make it waterproof, i think thats also pretty cool

[@GrandFatherOutdoors]

@@alissa.e You are right, that is cool

[@rickyfargason8859]

Gum Blanket vs MSS Bivy. They both look like great items that will essentially do the same thing, keep you dry. However, the Gum Blanket seems more versatile. Can be used as a tarp or cloak/poncho. It's just not breathable like the Goretex on the MSS Bivy. I think the Gum Blanket would be lighter and more compact.

[@WayPointSurvival]

It's definitely really handy!

[@rickyfargason8859]

@@WayPointSurvival Yes. For sure. And you can make it any size you want. Excellent video. Thank you.

[@richschwartz8004]

Nice! and thank you. God bless and stay safe.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks, you too!

[@glennpurchase807]

Another great idea James. Thanks.

[@WayPointSurvival]

You are very welcome!

[@MrNobody99999]

What a good idea! Let’s try at home.., thanks 🙏

[@williamjacobs288]

Outstabnding Idea!! Thank you James

[@WayPointSurvival]

My pleasure!

[@jamiejohnson8176]

I'm going try this for myself thanks a bunch

[@WayPointSurvival]

You're welcome!

[@jamiejohnson8176]

@WayPointSurvival love the channel I have used and made several ideas from your channel keep up the ideas

[@i_am_a_freespirit]

A great Video James, thank you for posting it 🥰

[@WayPointSurvival]

You're welcome!

[@sineriafrankenstein7316]

Love your videos!!

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks!

[@bobcatarizona4840]

Thanks for the cool project idea.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Glad you liked it!

[@jenandjim149]

Thanks for the great info.

[@WayPointSurvival]

You're very welcome!

[@tennesseesmoky9012]

Gotta make one of these.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Go for it!

[@lawrencewiley8698]

Great video, thanks!

[@WayPointSurvival]

Glad you liked it!

[@quintork4100]

Most survival channel's in this time ring of doom!but hey not when your watching james benders stuff ,this hero makes me grin as soon as the video starts!😃 respect from UK brother!

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks so much for the kind words, my friend!

[@stevestumpy6873]

I have a few used good quality shower curtains.

[@tomritter493]

Great,,tutorial jim

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks so much, my friend!

[@703am]

I have used this stuff on roofs and gutters but never dreamed of using it to make a waterproof ground sheet. Thanks James for your many useful videos

[@WayPointSurvival]

You're welcome!

[@JasonPhillipsXeariaN]

Thanks for the video, but was it cheaper material wise to build it than to buy it?

[@joejust9269]

I've got to make myself one of those🤔

[@WayPointSurvival]

Go for it!

[@jessesimenson286]

Don't forget to harvest the glass marble from the empty paint cans. It's clear and can be used for solar fires.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks for watching!

[@TUKByV1]

Maybe. Some just have chunks of metal in them. And some have opaque marbles.

[@MrJeep75]

Awesome video

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks!

[@billwolfram412]

Many Thanks James !!!

[@WayPointSurvival]

You're welcome!

[@beckypennington79]

Thanks so much for this video

[@rsimpkins1120]

Thank you for the video. After the spray cures, does the blanket have any odd or offensive odors?

[@WayPointSurvival]

Not that I can tell.

[@HarshmanHills]

Great project my friend

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks so much!

[@justinrjensen2]

thank you was wondering how i could make my own

[@WayPointSurvival]

You're welcome!

[@ulastugut2513]

İşe yarar fikir teşekkürler✌

[@WayPointSurvival]

You're welcome!

[@tanker1668]

Impressive

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks!

[@breaking_bear]

Great video James! Can I do this project with cotton canvas or other materials?

[@WayPointSurvival]

Yes you can!

[@JohnMurphy-dw6ml]

$18 a can, holy shit!

[@Jason-ke2nj]

Hmmm..DD tarps, seems a bargain now😅😅

[@jessesimenson286]

Now, $7/can for brown on amazon

[@WayPointSurvival]

I never said it was cheap but it definitely makes a superior product!

[@JohnMurphy-dw6ml]

@@WayPointSurvival Someone said you can get brown for seven dollars a can.

[@jamesbowen5573]

Yeah if you can't think. It's way cheaper to buy the half gallon can and use a brush. The way he did it you're looking at over $300

[@robertsperling-t7j]

Wonderful as always James. I noticed that you did all your sewing. I did some welding and in the survival world “welding” fabric by sewing is SO valuable. Have you given any thoughts to a survival based series on sewing. The HOBO slant to it would be awesome. Because if they failed, they died- true survival. I have nothing but respect for the Hobo and your series I’m glued to watching!

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks so much! I do include a sewing kit in many of my videos but I haven't really done any tutorials or anything like that about it.

[@davegoodridge8352]

This is cool

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks!

[@DarkMetaOFFICIAL]

Very cool video. i just saw a brand new product from a consumer show, a new blend they invented which is a spray, but then becomes a non-permeable, flexible, solid membrane capable of holding a ton of weight, really puncture resistant. basically similar to what you have here but i guess it's really strong and forms a molecular lattice so it becomes one solid piece. really interested in these things. there's also one called plasti-dip that looks promising.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Interesting!

[@jasonbabila6006]

Excellent idea and cost effective.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks for watching! It was a little bit expensive but definitely worth it in the long run.

[@brianbbrianbrian]

2 and a half pounds. Modern poncho weighs in at 300grams - less than a pound. We've made some progress since then.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Yes, we have, but most of them are quite flimsy in comparison.

[@adamh843]

Great video. Thanks a bunch. 2 questions: 1. do you think that spray-on stuff would bind to one side of a mylar blanket? (the cheap, never get it back in the package kind) 2. can i buy one of those homemade gum blankets from you? $50? $75? $100? i see how easy it is to make but i live in an apartment and don't really have a place where i can leave it to cure. i can do my own grommets if that affects the answer. however, i'm wondering how feasible it would be for me to sew some loops on instead after the rubber coating is applied?

[@WayPointSurvival]

I do not know if it would stay on Mylar. As far as making one and selling it I really don't have time to make one, sorry. You can probably find a large open area in a city park where it might be allowed as long as you had something under it to keep the spray from getting on the grass. I would not try to sell loops on after the rubber coating is applied as it would be pretty tough to stitch through.

[@TUKByV1]

I live in an apartment. The last time I had to spray paint something, I found an unused parking lot; there used to be a building there, but it was torn down, only the asphalt remains. I still used a dropcloth, so no one could accuse me of vandalism. Best wishes..

[@keithhelon62]

Which spray has the least smell? And how long does that smell linger in the blanket?

[@WayPointSurvival]

I'm not sure which one has the least smell and it's pretty fine after it's cured.

[@danhattaway3513]

Thank you. 😊❤️❤️

[@WayPointSurvival]

You're welcome!

[@donaldlittlepage8424]

A twin air mattress works great too, their rubber, just split the 3 sides and open it up. Just $8 to 10$

[@WayPointSurvival]

Yes, you could definitely do that.

[@johanvanbeek7138]

What other old gems are you sitting on? That was great!

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks so much!

[@alaskansummertime]

It looks like Loewes has several types of this material. I think you could make a camo pattern if you used different varieties. Or find a roll on variety and add pigment?

[@WayPointSurvival]

That would be cool!

[@MrJeep75]

Linseed oil will water proof it to

[@mutantthegreat7963]

Is there an advantage of the rubber blanket over a tarp? Just wondering.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Yes, it is vintage and goes well with historical reenacting.

[@becca318]

🇺🇸🙋‍♀️Very cool idea that lasts! I was so happy you coated the other side! I do wonder how water resistant it is though?

[@WayPointSurvival]

It is very waterproof!

[@becca318]

@@WayPointSurvival .. So good! Makes me wanna do this project!

[@MrPrimitiveman]

Great video, I was wondering if it causes you to sweat when you wrap u in it cowboy style?

[@WayPointSurvival]

Yes, like most things of this nature, it doesn't breathe too well. However if you leave the ends open and don't wrap up too tight in it it should stay somewhat dry.

[@beerdrinker6452]

Nice.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks!

[@jamiejohnson8176]

Will3 cans of flex seal work the same can i use them the same way

[@WayPointSurvival]

Possibly.

[@nathanwhite5602]

Cool video

[@deadmansshoes]

That was a super cool video. Could have used this one back in the early 80's. Live and learn. Also, do you think Mulberry is a good wood for a walking stick. May have asked this before, but the memory is going.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Pretty much all fruit bearing trees, like mulberry, make good strong wood for walking sticks or even for a bow.

[@deadmansshoes]

@@WayPointSurvival wow, that was fast, thank you, James. Will keep the stick and prep the tips per your previous videos.

[@100BearPaw]

They make that flex seal in a gallon sized now. Do you think it would go on too thick without it being aerosolized?

[@WayPointSurvival]

@@100BearPaw possibly. You would have to be really careful when you brushed it on but I think it would work.