Sheep Tarp - Seam Sealer?

[wakoski]

Hey sliders. This may be a silly questions but I am scratching my head. Recently purchased a Kifaru Sheep Tarp and it came with seam sealer. I understand the purpose of the seam sealer on tents, and tipis but am not sure about its benefit on a solid tarp. Is sealing the perimeter seams beneficial? I guess there is also the (2) reinforced patches in the middle that may benefit from sealing?

Just looking for some advice/direction from those with experience. Thank You!

 

[mrbillbrown]

It’s the one tarp I haven’t ever seam sealed and never noticed any negative effects. I’m sure other guys have seam sealed theirs but just my personal experience to avoid it.

 

[wildbill]

the stitching on the reinforced patches for trekking poles will leak if exposed to prolonged steady rain, learned that the hard way. I sealed those but didn’t bother with the perimeter stitching

 

[wakoski]

Makes sense. Thanks for the replies!

 

[swampthing]

Aside of water sealing, the sealer protects the stitching from abrasion wear.