silver/blue/green tarp vs black UV poly sheet - outside life span?

[patrick]

Seems like I'm getting (if I'm lucky) about a year out of a silver tarp use d for cover out doors before it's decomposed to the point of being embrittl ed then tearing. Given that the blue/green tarps can be had for about half the price, does the blue/ green tarps have half the life of a silver one? Also, what of using 6mil black poly sheet (it's claimed to have uv resiste nce) as opposed to the plastic woven tarps. Looking primarily for bang fo r the buck. Thanks, Pat

[None]

It all depends on the quality incorporated by the manufacturer. For tarps that are going to be used outside for long periods of time, I always buy marine grade tarps, I have gotten many, many years out of such tarpaulins.

[gfretwell]

Get a vinyl tarp. They last a lot longer. I use one for my boat lift and they last many years. The 22oz is what truckers use but you might be fine with something lighter. You probably have to order it online These guys are OK

[trader_4]

used for cover out doors before it's decomposed to the point of being embri ttled then tearing. Given that the blue/green tarps can be had for about ha lf the price, does the blue/ green tarps have half the life of a silver o ne? Also, what of using 6mil black poly sheet (it's claimed to have uv resi stence) as opposed to the plastic woven tarps. Looking primarily for bang for the buck.

Or use free/cheap ones from Harbor Freight and change as needed. It all depends on what you're covering up and how easy or hard it is to change them after 6 months or a year.

[patrick]

Regarding the vinyl tarps- looks to be about 8x the price of a harbor freig ht silver tarp. Do you think the vinyl lasts 8x the silver tarp? The place ment of the tarp is on kayaks (2 wood, one is a tupperware(polyethylene) bo at the other glass) stored out doors- not that difficult. The idea of tossi ng plastic that quickly kinda bugs me . Thanks again, Pat

[Frank]

Sunlight can be the death of a plastic. Vinyls generally hold up well but a metallic coating may keep the light from the plastic so it depends on the material below the coating. A cotton backing for example could rot.

[trader_4]

reight silver tarp. Do you think the vinyl lasts 8x the silver tarp? The p lacement of the tarp is on kayaks (2 wood, one is a tupperware(polyethylene ) boat the other glass) stored out doors- not that difficult. The idea of t ossing plastic that quickly kinda bugs me . Thanks again, Pat

My experience with the typical blue tarp is that they fail because of friction, rubbing against what's under them. If it's a smooth regular object they last a lot longer than if they are over something like a boat that has irregular shape and plenty of places for the wind to work it back and forth over.

[gfretwell]

It depends on whether you want one that you keep or one you throw away after a few months.