Coating Fabric with Liquid Latex

This is an easy way to quickly make any fabric airtight. As such, you can use this technique to make a wide array of inflatable objects.

Step 1 Go get stuff.

Materials:

- liquid latex (get Clear #10)
- fabric (canvas is ideal since it is strong, tightly woven and doesn't stretch)
- a bar of Dove soap or similar ( bacon soap is tempting but not recommended)
- three plastic dishes (large enough to hold soap)
- baby powder

tools:

- 1 cheap paintbrush
- paper towels

Comments

[borisvaletto]

Such a great instructable! I was looking for this for a lot of time but couldnt find the right words (sorry for my english). Can i ask you a question? I hate advertising the brand of my laptop showing on the back o the screen and would very like to stick a patch (in spanish we say insignia dunno if its the same in english) like they use at the military to make myself clear. Ive been thinking a lot about a way to stick it but make it "washable" or a least cleanable as patches get very dirty very quick. Would this tecnicque work? Or if ur so kind do u know any other way (like applying some kind of barnish or something? But i think THIS is exactly what i was looking for :D great job thanks for sharing!

[lrm7692]

I'm trying to make a rubber like armor for a costume and was hoping i could apply this...can I use the colored liquid latex body paint? Does it work the same?

[randofo]

It should work the same. You can probably get a large container for cheaper and color it somehow. Perhaps food coloring might work?

[bikeboy]

A few years ago, I biked across central america with homemade bike paniers that were waterproofed this way.
Q: Why didn't you use waterproof fabric?
A: One of my paniers unique features was the "Belgian Postal Service" print. Indeed they were made out of Belgian post bags. At least one thing Ortlieb paniers don't have :)
 

[JesusFreke]

Woohoo. I got my latex in today. I'll be making a didgeridoo from latex coated denim, inflated to make a tube shape. Thanks for the inspiration! :)

[randofo]

Cool! Can't wait to see it.

[gabriahl]

Awesome. Seems to me this could be used for a number of applications. Since its air tight that means it should be water tight as well. Which means you could use it for thins like backpack, clothing seams, tents, skin on frame kayaks perhaps. Just some theories.

[randofo]

I'm not sure how well latex holds up to water. I mean, you can make a water balloon without a problem, but I don't know how well a water balloon will keep over time. Latex tends to degrade over extended periods (which can be bad for a boat).

[a grain of alt.]

Wonderfully comprehensive instructable, the sort that can be used to branch off into other projects. I love it. Thank you for the contribution to Instructables.

[Joreth]

"Can you give an example of what I would use this for?"

For one example, I have a whole tutorial on how to make rewearable latex clothing on my website in my Costumes section ( http://www.theinnbetween.net ) and I will be giving a latex costuming workshop in Tampa, FL on October 6th at http://www.stonehill.org/necro.htm

[skulkingghost]

Liquid Latex is usually pretty cheap for the amount you get. This is a great instructable, I plan on upload a few liquid latex ones of my own. Personally I use Liquid Latex Shop for my latex and find their prices to be the best. I would defiantly do the baby powder addition since it works best, and I usually moisturize before applying liquid latex as well

[jollor]

Can you give an example of what I would use this for?

[randofo]

an inflatable love seat

...or really to make any inflatable object you want that needs to be a bit more structural than latex itself.

[flywoodkb]

How much coverage do you think you'd get from a gallon?

[randofo]

A lot. I out 3 coats on this:

http://www.instructables.com/id/ESE9DZ7FXREY95WDAS/

...and that only used up about half a gallon.

[flywoodkb]

Wow, yeah that's a lot. That looks like a cool project too, I'm gonna check it out tonight.

[rimar2000]

Good instructable, thanks

[CameronSS]

How much does the liquid latex cost?

[randofo]

About $35 for the gallon if I remember correctly.

[tchou]

The problem with baby powder is that you have to use it frequently if you don't want to have your latex sticky, and gluing to itself. You can use an alternative with silicone spray, the kind of things you use to protect plastic for your car. It is much more durable, and cheap.