waterproof a map

Fallbrook Forge

Fallbrook Forge

Joined
Jan 1, 2006
Messages
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I read this in Backpacker magazine awhile back.

Thompsons waterseal is all you need, take the map and give one side a coat of the waterseal and let dry. Once it's dry repeat on the other side and you should have a waterproofed map.

I just tried it with a regular piece of notebook paper and it worked so-so. I'm thinking it didn't owrk too well due to the thin paper. HAs anyone tried this with a map? If so what were your results?
I was also thinking this could work for matches too
 
BOOMSTICK said:
is that like a vaccum sealer?
Click to expand...

Yes, but no vacuum. It was a predecessor to a lot of the sealers available today. An excellent tool for waterproofing just about anything - first aid supplies, food (could boil-in-a-bag with them), maps, spare socks/underwear, tp - you name it.

Doc
 
Like I learnt in the Israeli Army.
Simple and effective.

Plastic poly sheet folded over the top, and stapled three sides.

By the time you have folded your map it is totally waterproof.
It bulks the map a bit, but it is so easy it is worth it.
 
neeman said:
Like I learnt in the Israeli Army.
Simple and effective.

Plastic poly sheet folded over the top, and stapled three sides.
.
Click to expand...

Heck i didn't think you got a lot of rain...all i see on tv is sand, rocks and dust
:D


Mac Tac - maybe there are other names...used to be sold in a hardware store for lining drawers and cupboards
...clear adheasive tape in large rolls- coat it front and back
(makes it difficult to refold...premades would be creased well)

Waterseal is interesting...thinking of trying it out

also heard of using waxed paper and a clothing iron to wax coat the paper...
 
Steven Penner said:
Heck i didn't think you got a lot of rain...all i see on tv is sand, rocks and dust
:D
Click to expand...

That is south in the desert!!
I live north in the green hills of the Galalie

When it rains it here it is often torrential, the Mediteranian Sea dumps itself!
The desert becomes very dangerous with flash floods and roads closed

Poly sheeting also protects against the sand, rocks and dust!
 
I use the water seal (Thompson's) method all the time, although there is no need to apply the seal to both sides of the map since the sealer completely saturates the paper from one side. I use one of those cheap foam brushes to apply the sealer. Another benefit, the map will not start tearing at the fold lines.
 
How about a waterproof map case instead. Like the Ortlieb.

9c557bf5a5ea223994e4cb9710dc4798


I use one, not Ortlieb but similar map case and cheaper.

Tor
 
I've used the Thompsons water sealer on my woods pants..from the knees down and on the butt...it make them a little stiff at first but I staty pretty dry when pushing through wet brush or when sitting on the ground.
 
Theres a product specifically designed for water-proofing maps. It's called surprisingly enough "MAP SEAL" it is water based and is made by Aquaseal. You can find it at R.E.I I have used it for years. It works good, and the map seems to last longer because of it.

http://www.rei.com/search?query=map+seal
 
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I've used the map-seal too. Worked good. Of course nothing is going to beat a laminated map or one printed on the waterproof paper but it's a good alternative.

Charlie
 
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