MAKING AN OILCLOTH TARP

I completed the tarp in April of this year (2016) and it took nearly 3 months in total for it to dry completely. I am extremely happy with the way it turned out. I've used it on many outing since then in multiple rain storms with no problems. There was a learning curve with it though. I had always use synthetic tarps and was unaccustomed to the canvas. If used incorrectly it will hold water and leak though the threads. Steep angles and strong ridgelines are the way to go.
Thanks for watching!
Materials used:
*10oz Canvas Drop Cloth (amzn.to/2its3qB)
*1" Polypropylene Webbing
*Boiled Linseed Oil
*Mineral Spirits
Forum:
www.forum.txbushcraft.com
Website
www.txbushcraft.com
Facebook:
/ texasbushcraft

[@OutnBacker]

I used a drop cloth for this a few years ago. My recipe was a bit different: 2 parts wax (toilet rings work fine - new, of course), 1 part Boiled linseed Oil, 1 part Turpentine. The mixture works great, and yours would too, if not for the poor quality canvas the drop cloths are made of. it has a very loose thread and when tensioned, the threads stretch and create bigger openings between them. That's what causes it to leak when water pools. I still have mine, but use it for a ground cloth. Works pretty good for a moisture barrier. A better option for cloth is a second hand bedsheet, king size, with a high thread count. I was lucky enough to find one at Value-Village for $8 that was deep green. Weighs only about 3.7lbs and is very thin and compact. Sewing reinforcements into the stress areas prevents much stretching of the threads. No leaks.

[@Shadowmib]

Sewing tip: You can iron the hems before sewing if you aren't going to pin them, it helps make sure the hems are even. Hit me up on the forums if you need any sewing advice.

[@Shadowmib]

I guess i'm 8 months behind on videos lol

[@WinStunSmith]

The blotchy pattern actually looks really cool. Serendipitous accident. Using dark green would produce really good, functional camouflage!

[@nearlynativenursery8638]

looks like professional made camouflage. Great job. Jim Rodgers

[@lisarollens6614]

Another sewing tip...when you're sewing on the tie down loops just leave your needle in the fabric, release the foot and turn the material. Then put down the foot and start sewing again. You can go all the way around a square like this. Good work!

[@philokrnotch387]

All in all pretty good. Got lots good advice. I'd like to see another one. So kudos

[@smoke5620]

I liked the video and your tarp turned out great , I liked the results 👍👍

[@koningbolo4700]

The blotchy look has turned out nicelooking but If I may suggest a procedure: I would recommend you first wash the cloth, then dye it a base colour (in this case the light brown, possibly with a little black in it to darken it) then do an effect dying (in this case the black accent colour) (obviously all dyeing done according to the manufacturers recommendations), dry the cloth and then do the 50-50 mix linseed oil /white spirit thing. I suspect the long (very long indeed - it should have taken 2 weeks tops) drying time was due to the dye chemicals interfering with the curing of the oil... But I must admit: you nailed it aesthetically: A very nice effect which should blend in with the forest very well.

[@armorvestrus6882]

I like the random patterm it would blend right into the background out in the forest. Cheers.

[@TrenchForgeArmory]

Good to see another upload from you. Keep up the good work

[@jonathanmontrose6102]

Just found this channel. Cool stuff man. I live in the Sam Houston National forest. Glad to see someone from Texas!

[@chriswalker7491]

Looks amazing love the splotchy

[@Tuxdaddy]

The blotched look actually looks great !! Might even be good for hunting or hiding !! Great vid Sir !!

[@weschaffin]

If it kept you dry then it did its job. I will be trying the same project soon. I will be using concrete pigment for mine. Thanks for sharing!

[@DannyWalker1949]

NICE work on this DIY Tarp. I'm with Sunny below on the Blotched Colors design...I Really Like the looks of it.

[@MrSIXGUNZ]

wow a lot of work but amazing to see !!! thanks and blessings sir !!

[@tonyrader7102]

I watched another which used tongue oil and mineral spirits , he said it was much better than linseed oil and that you need to warm the ingredients to get better absorption. You also need to rotate the fabric top to bottom the first 24hours every 6-8 hours to ensure even absorption. By rotating the dry is even and so is the distribution.

[@ctrip34]

That dye job is bad ass. I wish there was a way to recreate it.

[@boopeep9670]

The dye pattern couldn’t have come out better if you had planned it. I’m inspired to try this project.

[@30CalCoreLokt]

I agree! it looks like sunlight filtered through trees.

[@toppersouthtexas6625]

Good video. Thanks for making it. Good for a thumbs up...

[@timberwolf7384]

I do like the blotchy look. I would think though if you didn't want it blotchy like that then maybe try dying it in a bigger container like a totem with a lid. That way you have a little more room to spread the tarp out to allow the dye to cover the tarp evenly. Just my guess though. I've never done it before so I was taking notes from yours lol. 🤙🏼

[@michaelheurkens4538]

Sewing tip: be careful on how much stitching you use; too much or too close together can actually weaken seams and joints. I've been doing heavy sewing work and some tailoring and upholstery for 35 years. Good job, though especially for a novice. It's good to see you giving it a try.

[@HeartlandMakesAndOutdoors]

Looks pretty sweet to me my friend, Great job, Thanks for sharing and I hope you have a blessed week my friend. Dale PS we subbed you as well. Keep the fun videos coming.

[@michaelferry6880]

Awesome 👍

[@OlympusHeavyCavalry]

I quite like your idea bud, cheers. :-)

[@garyrussell5419]

I like it a lot.

[@GeorgiaRidgerunner]

ok mr. bushcraft you got my attn.. new sub...

[@devilswings5907]

Have you ever have or had concerns of the seams spontaneously combusting while using BLO and MS to treat the fabric

[@eddiekeylon323]

Very nice dye job. Love the blotchiness....

[@johnburgin7478]

One my next projects . I like the mottled color

[@ThomasShue]

Does it stink? Also what is the difference with this and the wax impregnated duck cloth used in logging pants?

[@burstfireno1617]

Beautiful job ;) Which model Singer heavy duty is that?

[@paddypete1]

i think you should have dyed it first and let it dry,then waterproofed it

[@jabby4201]

How long should it take one of these to fully dry? The description says it took him nearly 3 months for his, but that seems too long. Ive seen other people's whose dried in 1-3 weeks

[@Timantinpoimija]

I cant find drop cloth (or any heavy canvas) anywhere in my country this sucks.

[@junkmail4613]

What type thread do you use?

[@tibfulv]

I had a look at the wikipedia page for oilcloth, and it mentions that overlapping sheets would amalgamate. So sewing the hem should in theory not be necessary.

[@yaktexas2121]

where did you get the drop cloth you started off with? and do you have the measurements for it? I found a few but they didn't seem that large

[@yaktexas2121]

alright thanks. Ill be making a tarp soon and plan on making an oil cloth/leather bag modeled after the frost river pack

[@royslay4912]

Sorry about that 24:38 time on the video!

[@marineswarm]

1 gal of each?

[@TxBushcraft]

Yes sir. 1 part of each.

[@rj-yj8dp]

to bad the dye was water base and not oil base.

[@blackrose006]

You really need to improve your sawing skills, learn how to adjust the sawing machine correct, will help a lot! 😀

[@chrismalcom4703]

Love the uk sexist jabs lol. In the us men don’t sew either. We use thread injectors to make gear!

[@NilsAlbertsson]

Here in n Europe, only women know how to use machine for sewing! Is women's work! Man do beer and vodka, women do sew and cook!

[@pooroldlu]

N Albertsson so in Europe the men don’t know how to do much? In Texas we drink beer and whiskey and do anything else we want to do. Like sewing or shooting.

[@TBOR101]

N Albertsson ..Judging by your comment..I'm sure my Tennessee mother could kick your ignorant ass. ✌

[@nightfury1318]

Man a bunch of sexist pigs in Europe. Say that to a woman in America and you'll get your butt kicked to the end of time. We respect our women instead of holding them in such poor taste.

[@michaelheurkens4538]

Pathetic of you to say sewing is women's work. Most of the best high-end tailors are men. I am a man, own and operate 2 industrial machines since about 1985. These are special machines with stitch speeds of 2000 stitches per minute and can sew several fingers together without slowing down(seen it once - don't want to see it again). We make tentage, boat covers small sails and do upholstery and am proud of the quality work we men do. I used to look after repair and maintenance of fleet survival and rescue equipment including harnesses for climbing and restraint/fall arrest. I was taught to sew by my mother who was a tailor to make sure we could be self-sufficient. This is a great skill to have; man or woman; just like cooking. See? I don't have to whine in a drunken stupor until a woman takes pity on on me to fix something or feed me. Greetings from a man with a successful business and family in Alberta, Canada.

[@w.rustylane5650]

You sure don't know how to sew on a machine. When you make a turn, leave the needle in the downward position and raise the foot to turn the piece. Then sew in the new direction.