Waterproofing Bikepacking Bags with Silicone and Mineral Spirits

In this video I try to waterproof my water resistant bikepacking bags using a silicone and odorless mineral spirits concoction.

[@billforrest4205]

Stumbled upon this after browsing the silicone mineral spirits waterproofing trick to see how many people use it. I have been a user of this method for years, I advocate it whole heartedly. I tend to use a 2 to 1 ratio though Ie: double the mineral spirits quantity to Silicone making it less viscous. I tend to immerse my bags, tent Fly's etc into the solution rather than brush on. Then empty any pooled liquid, squeeze out as much as possible then allow to drip dry with openings facing down on bags/packs/sacks. Zippers are always the fail/leak points so I use heavy duty plastic bags inside anyway. I will say I've never had a tent leak though even in the heaviest of wind & rain. enjoyed your video.

[@skie6282]

How is the durability? Like over years, do you need to reapply it at some point? Have you ever washed any of the items? Im thinking if making some waterproof jeans for motorcycle riding

[@billforrest4205]

@@skie6282 I've never use it on washable items. only on tents flysheets, nylon type rain jackets, backpacks etc. flex stuff around enough n drag em over the ground and you'll need to re-treat to keep up the waterproofing. I've found it lasts a year or more easily

[@skie6282]

@Bill Forrest awesome thanks! I did see another comment that said they had silicone fall on their pants and after multiple washes there is still a waterproof spot there, like it infused with the fabric. Im mainly thinking outlayer or non frequent use stuff anyway so it sounds like itll work out

[@psy-op]

I tried this, I couldn't get the solvent to absorb the silicone, so it stayed lumpy. Any suggestions?

[@billforrest4205]

@@psy-op It does take a LOT of mixing, try a drill mixer like you would use for paint maybe? I wear rubber gloves and squeeze the silicone in the white spirit then mix with a drill mixer.

[@dillonbarclay8373]

Wet peanut butter 😂 Very nicely done video. You saved me a bunch of time I'm experimenting. Thanks for posting.

[@HigherrConsciousness]

You need to either IMMERSE what you are waterproofing or give it AT LeAsT 3 good wet coats. And instead of half and half or a 1:1 ratio do at least 3 parts Naphtha or mineral spirits to 1 part 100% silicone!!! Me personally, I use a 5 to 1 ratio (really allows it to permeate whatever fabric better). Hell, I waterproofed a T-shirt and it still feels like normal fabric!!! I've waterproofed everything 😆.. first thing I did was my tool bag

[@jukio02]

Can you tell me exactly what you did to waterproof your t shirts? Thanks.

[@cypherdk85]

I've read that it needs to be 100% pure silicone, is this true? Because I havent been able to find any 100% pure silicone.

[@micks61]

Funny you should post this, as I've just used this method on two pairs of gloves. I haven't worn them in the rain yet, but holding them under the tap my hand stayed completely dry and the water just ran straight off. These are thin gloves by the way with no waterproofing properties at all. So I was pleased with that, but as I say, have yet to try them on a wet ride. I did a three to one mix of White Spirits to Sealant too (the results did smell a bit!). So I'm disappointed you had poor results as well as I've been excitedly hatching plans to waterproof all my jackets and over trousers next, as I thought I'd found the answer (finally!) to not getting wet. Great channel by the way!

[@RobertRobert-d2r]

Hi Mick. You did find the answer; you just didn't see it. Forget the 50/50 paint method. Use 5:1 and soak your jacket and trousers too. I have done a backpack [amongst other things] very successfully- even an internal breakage confined the spillage to that pocket. Make a batch of the solution much bigger than you might expect because it really seems to disappear in the places not required [pockets, lining, etc]. I suggest a 2 part solution to one part item by volume. [i.e. Say 4 liters/1 gallon in container when jacket jammed in; 8 litres/1 gallon of mineral spirits/silicon solution]. Yeah. You are going to need a bigger container. Wring the shit out of it. I mean, really work it. Prepare the line to hang it from beforehand. Hang it upside down to allow easy flow of solution from inside pockets. Inspect for dry patches and either wipe against wet material or use spare solution to saturate. Have some other items you might want to waterproof standing by so as to reduce or eliminate waste. [I have done several cotton sheets in overestimating but better than falling short]. Try it on a small scale if you doubt it. Best of luck. P.S. Don't do it on handkerchiefs. Sort of defeats the purpose.

[@RobertRobert-d2r]

Obviously meant 8 litres /2 gallons. this metric shit!

[@micks61]

🤣 yes doing it on handkerchiefs wouldn't work too well - ugh! Thanks for posting this, I'll give it another try as four years down the line and I'm still getting wet! The gloves I did are still faring well though, amazingly enough, given how much they flex when wearing. Not as waterproof as they were, but still better than before they were treated. Thanks for the advice!

[@KingTesticus]

Thumbs up for honesty 👍

[@imacrazyguy5831]

You probably learned why you should get lots of ziplocks as well as loading your bags with Compactor bags and stuffing everything into that. Lots of us backpackers use compactor bags, no need for a waterproof pack if everything else is waterproof inside. :)

[@adventuresonadadbike8830]

Thanks!

[@DylanDavidVindasLopez]

i know its been 4 years, but you have to roll the bag really tight in order to prevent water from getting in.

[@wemcal]

Great video and great information

[@vincevarriale3294]

Kudos for you for your honesty! Wish more people were. Have you tried a silicone spray such as atasko silicone spray? I have used it to refresh my tarps and rainflys. It works extremely well. Best wishes to you.

[@bradbergman3673]

You cannot waterproof a standard zipper, tried it many times and many ways.... it's impossible. Look at the zipper on the dry suits scuba divers wear and see that they are not the kind of zipper used on clothing. They are a special zipper and you have to rub bees wax into the zipper to make it 100% waterproof. Regardless of how well you think your bag is, ALWAYS put your electronics in a waterproof zip-lock bag before you put it in your backpack. You never know when you are going to fall into a lake, stream, etc. Plan ahead, don't take unnecessary risks with gear you can't afford to lose just to avoid 30 seconds of easy work.

[@adventuresonadadbike8830]

Agree!

[@SC-hk6ui]

Basically there are two options for synthetic bags. PU and silicone. What failed in this video was the zips. Look into Odicoat PU gel for waterproofing this kind of material. Have a look welted seams and polyester for new bags.

[@adventuresonadadbike8830]

I agree. The zippers are the weak link

[@1kontrabida]

The choice of Silicone is what cause the failure, not all silicone are created equal, id try using the GE silicone 100% silicone. I have great succes using a 100% silicone.

[@davidlaw9686]

Question is whether the stuff provides water proof. If the water got thru the zippers, nothing to say.

[@adventuresonadadbike8830]

I have tried it again on a Restrap dry bag and it worked well. Roll top closure. so I agree, the zippers are the weak point.

[@alastairleith249]

Tbf, i think the fabric of your bags were repelling the water well, however if zips are not waterproof or seals somehow fail, i dont think it will make much of a difference? I have bought some sealant and turps to try this myself on a few bags i would like water resistant, see how it goes.

[@MD-ug4sd]

How can I get rid of the paint thinner odor?because I couldn't get odor free mineral spirits

[@karaworship]

Is it ok to substitute denatured alcohol for mineral spirits to thin silicone ?

[@shawnbillman4392]

How long is the drying time for the solution?

[@adventuresonadadbike8830]

Probably a couple hours to touch but I left it overnight before doing the water test

[@dragan3290]

Mineral spirits is Mineral turpentine?

[@farouksbawa439]

nice. next time turn the bags inside out then add waterproofing.

[@adventuresonadadbike8830]

good idea!

[@franknada8235]

What if the main problem was the seams? Seam glue for tents maybe necessary.

[@adventuresonadadbike8830]

good idea!

[@jukio02]

I'm going to try this with an undershirt, to stop sweating from showing on my shirt.

[@susanp.collins7834]

No!!!

[@WhoDatGuyJ]

You're just gonna overheat yourself more, carry a rag with u and dab ur under arms every now and then. That's what I do

[@innocentiuslacrim2290]

This was great thanks. I am just buying new bags and I may have to rethink those a bit :)

[@nowthen7073]

So, if you make up the mixture of mineral spirits and silicone, can I put that in a sealed jar and keep it until the next time I want to waterproof something, or does it go off? Thanks

[@adventuresonadadbike8830]

Mine became thicker up after a few weeks. Too thick. Might work with more mineral spirits added

[@indianboobs80085]

good to know this doesn't always work. gonna try it on a nylon molle backpack and pouches for kayak camping. gotta try improving cheap stuff first, right?

[@adventuresonadadbike8830]

Definitely worth trying. I was pretty aggressive with the soaking. I'll try it on my bike in real world weather exposure and update the results.

[@dualupa5004]

Is there alternative to mineral spirit?

[@adventuresonadadbike8830]

Not that I'm aware of. I used low odor mineral spirits

[@dbarufaldi]

Naptha should work. Test it on your fabric first, of course.

[@myfrequencies1912]

I'm surprised the seat pack didn't stay dry tbh!

[@adventuresonadadbike8830]

I was too. I'm going to try it again in the rain on the bike and rolling the opening downward to avoid the water pooling there. I might have been too aggressive with the water from the tap so a real world test could have better rasults.

[@myfrequencies1912]

​@@adventuresonadadbike8830 I found that using a generic backpack cover (a few $/£ from eBay) works well. It's elasticated & hooks around the seat post end & back end of the bag nicely.

[@adventuresonadadbike8830]

@@myfrequencies1912 Great idea! Thanks!

[@eforsmark]

@@adventuresonadadbike8830 i got the topeak seat bag and it also has just a water resistant shell but also has a removable drybag inside. quite neat to just drag everything out of the shell and bring it into the tent at night

[@RockerdownQuickHits]

hahaha! Thanks for the video! Just to rib you - not be a jerk - "the consistency of "wet peanut butter".... hahahhaha... this sounds like something that resonates with you - but I suspect for the majority of us... ewwww... wet peanut butter?

[@adventuresonadadbike8830]

wet peanut butter - the best!

[@Bikepacking]

Good video i don’t have that problem all my bags our 100% waterproof

[@adventuresonadadbike8830]

I am new to bikepacking this year and didn't want to put out a lot of cash toward gear if I didn't take to it. I'm addicted! That said, my set up is mostly workable with a couple modifications. btw: I really enjoy your channel!

[@Bikepacking]

Adventures on a Dad Bike yeah it not cheap getting into it but prices are coming down when I first bought gear there was only a handle full bikepacking bag companies all small cottages companies now there a lot more choices and prices have come down

[@captmohelsaadany6751]

Can I use thinner instead of mineral spirits?

[@adventuresonadadbike8830]

Pretty much the same thing. I used odor free mineral spirits because it's odor free

[@captmohelsaadany6751]

@@adventuresonadadbike8830 many thanks 🤗

[@captmohelsaadany6751]

@@adventuresonadadbike8830 Sir, just one question.. I have been searched for a mineral spirits and i found something called turpentine. is that the same?

[@adventuresonadadbike8830]

Apparently turpentine is not petroleum based, mineral spirits is, both are toxic. I don't know how turpentine reacts with the silicone. Turpentine also has a strong odor unlike odorless mineral spirits

[@HigherrConsciousness]

Naphtha works great as well! Please don't try to use turpentine!

[@tonywyant8957]

You talk and talk and talk and say nothing informative

[@andyspencer6308]

At least he's not a prick though eh.