year-round fabric cover for more delicate tools/implements

[orangetree]

Looking to make a cover for my sawmill and a few other less-weatherproof tools** which at least for a the next several years will be stored outside.

I've tried tarps, but:

1. with the relatively harsh & consistent sun we get they degrade faster than i'd like
2. because they are fully waterproof (not breathable like ~sunbrella), pinhole leaks and/or moisture from the ground seems to collect inside, leading to the surface rust i'm trying to avoid.
3. it's in full view, at least until we can finish our permanent house, and the wife would greatly appreciate if it looks "nice" for what it is.

I've made covers for some similar (but much smaller) things outside out of awning fabric (Sunbrella), which is great - decade+ in full sun, very waterproof but also has some air-permeability so nothing rusts under it. But it's expensive at $25+/yard, and it's realtively thin so i'd have to double it up many places with ~sharp edges.

Any ideas for something "very water repellant" UV-resistant, and durable, but cheaper?


**If i find a fabric i like, i'll probably also make it for my BH, as I only use it a couple times a year and it lives outside otherwise as I have no space left in my barn. It should survive fine outside, i suppose, but i'd feel better keeping it covered.

 

[ArlyA]

They do sell heavy poly uv resistant tarps. We've had good luck getting 5 years of being outdoors with them.

 

[IndyIan]

Unless you seal the equipment from the ground and the air, I think non climate controlled storage is always going to have times where the metal is cold and the air is warm and humid.... I have a hoop barn with a tarp cover and even when its closed up relatively tight, a cool night followed by a warm humid morning leaves some condensation. I just dab tractor hyd fluid on unpainted surfaces of everything and it slows the rust a bit and keeps it minor. The hoop barn tarps are good for quite a while, 10 years? If you could buy that material unsewn it would be a good tarp.

 

[WranglerX]

I have vehicles in two of these and both have lasted about 10 years....

 

[nyone]

Poly tarps suck. Get a canvas tarp. They dont sail up like poly and dont trap moisture like poly. Idk on the cost per yard.

 

[ArlyA]

Poly tarps suck. Get a canvas tarp. They dont sail up like poly and dont trap moisture like poly. Idk on the cost per yard.

Which polyester tarp do you speak of?? The ones they sell at the hw store are not worth there minimal cost. But you can find good ones.

 

[nyone]

Which polyester tarp do you speak of?? The ones they sell at the hw store are not worth there minimal cost. But you can find good ones.

Silver HF. I believe there 9mil. Either way they sail up in any wind like crazy or rip out the grommets.

 

[ArlyA]

Silver HF. I believe there 9mil. Either way they sail up in any wind like crazy or rip out the grommets.

I'm not sure I'd call those good ones...

 

[nyone]

Post a good one

 

[rScotty]

We must have 20 tarps. We tarp firewood, a 28 foot boat, and our tractors... and always have.

I cannot find what I want locally in quality or selection - or price for that matter. For the last decade I've been buying from TarpSupply.com. Ive bought several different weights & sizes of their of poly tarp & industrial tarp, waxed cotton tarps, and lately been buying their new poly/canvas blended tarps.

Get the poly/canvas. It's a synthetic & cotton mix.
Here is one order. They often have specials.

9'x12' Green Polyester CTP0912FFK 1 119.99
Canvas Tarp [EXACT SIZE
Special]
(Shipped)

 

[DaBear3428]

Looking to make a cover for my sawmill and a few other less-weatherproof tools** which at least for a the next several years will be stored outside.

I've tried tarps, but:

1. with the relatively harsh & consistent sun we get they degrade faster than i'd like
2. because they are fully waterproof (not breathable like ~sunbrella), pinhole leaks and/or moisture from the ground seems to collect inside, leading to the surface rust i'm trying to avoid.
3. it's in full view, at least until we can finish our permanent house, and the wife would greatly appreciate if it looks "nice" for what it is.

I've made covers for some similar (but much smaller) things outside out of awning fabric (Sunbrella), which is great - decade+ in full sun, very waterproof but also has some air-permeability so nothing rusts under it. But it's expensive at $25+/yard, and it's realtively thin so i'd have to double it up many places with ~sharp edges.

Any ideas for something "very water repellant" UV-resistant, and durable, but cheaper?


**If i find a fabric i like, i'll probably also make it for my BH, as I only use it a couple times a year and it lives outside otherwise as I have no space left in my barn. It should survive fine outside, i suppose, but i'd feel better keeping it covered.

I like to wash my stuff and spray on either a spray wax or armorall on them to reduce the surface rust and dry rot on the plastic parts. I do that twice a year depending on use, it seems to work.

 

[ArlyA]

Post a good one

Here is a UV resistant 16 mil tarp for $30 on amazon. I'd suggest 12mil as a minim.

 

[5030]

All I know is, I have over 20 years on my clearspan fabric covered truss arch building and it's as good as the day we erected in. Very good investment in what is considered a portable building, not that I'd ever move it as it's 85 feet long x 45 feet wide and 16 feet high at the top. You can see it in the background in this picture. Has a 12 x 14 foot high roll up door at one end and a man door at the other. Inside picture as well..

 

[notaz3]

I have vehicles in two of these and both have lasted about 10 years....

View attachment 762293

I also recommend these. Can get them from Costco and they work great.

 

[m1garand762]

They do sell heavy poly uv resistant tarps. We've had good luck getting 5 years of being outdoors with them.

I have been using 1 for 3 years and only a few eyelets are damaged the tarp still looks new it does a great job

 

[nyone]

Here is a UV resistant 16 mil tarp for $30 on amazon. I'd suggest 12mil as a minim.

I may try one of them. There nearing the price of a canvas tarp.

 

[DaBear3428]

I also recommend these. Can get them from Costco and they work gr

do you have a link?

 

[DaBear3428]

I have vehicles in two of these and both have lasted about 10 years....

View attachment 762293

do you have a link?

 

[ArlyA]

I should add, the more mils your tarp is the stiffer and more wind resistant it is. If you buy ones that are thicker, uv resistant they will last a while.

 

[oldballs]

This has served me for 7 years so far......in winds (max gusts of 70 mph), wet snows up to 8 inches and lots of sunshine. The cover itself was about $1800 and more expenses for gravel and timbers etc. It is the top of the ShelterLogic line 12 x 24 x 8.
Cheers,
Mike