Dave and list: >Another poster (Rich Mitchell <mitchelr_at_ucs.orst.edu>) mentioned that PU >coatings will eventually emulsify if kept wet and warm (and, in contact >with the oils, acids, etc., from body perspiration?). >I don't know the exact mode of degradation, but the PU coatings >definitely fall apart within a couple years of frequent use. Anybody >(beyond Rich) noticed this with VBL's? I had a Stephenson tent and sleeping bag that bit the dust after a few years service for me (5 or 6 max?). Richard loves his Stephenson tent (dunno if he has a bag from them or not). Mine started leaking after a few years, and I sent it back complaining. They recoated it and it helped for a while, but not very long (maybe a year?). I'm hard on tents and replaced it with a Sierra Designs and more recently a Mountain Hardware. The vapor barier sleeping I got from them was really nice. Again, though, after a few years, the coating started flaking off and small pieces would be stuck all over me when I get up in the morning. I retired the bag after the down loft was reduced enough to not be effective any more. I'm sure the VB was not very good any more either, but didn't try to really test it. >Rich also claimed to have good luck with silicone-coated fabric as a >VBL, and referenced some Stephenson-manufactured gear, I think. They may be using newer materials, I don't know anything about their newer stuff. The bag and tent I had of theirs was bought about 1972 all replaced before 1980. I'd also be interested in info on such stuff if anyone knows. Good luck, Hank Hays *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************Received on Tue Oct 20 1998 - 17:43:09 PDT
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