Flying the Tartan (No, not a "fly plaid")

[Todd Bradshaw]

In the sailmaking and boat cover business the most UV and weather resistant fabrics we use for boat covers and such tend to be acrylic first, followed fairly closely by polyester. It's not unusual for good ones to have a warranty to withstand five years or more of constant exposure without sun rot (the sun is usually a much bigger danger to these fabrics than water, as long as they have decent ventilation so that they can dry out after getting wet). The dye used to color them might be a different story though. They may or may not fade badly, and I don't know how you might predict the results for fading for fabrics not specifically designed for outdoor exposure. Most of the marine fabrics these days are pretty colorfast. Tartans not really intended for that sort of use? Who knows?

One thing you can do though is to routinely treat the fabric with 303 Fabric Guard (pump spray squirt bottle available from places like Amazon - not cheap, but excellent stuff). Fabric Guard is not only a water resistant treatment, it also contains the best UV absorbers that you can buy, and that's what is going to help reduce fading and sun rot. Basically, the UV blockers convert UV to heat, where it can dissipate into the atmosphere, rather than deteriorate the cloth. Over time, they get used up doing their work, so periodic re-treatment is a very good idea.

It won't alter the color or look of your fabric, but can have a big effect on water absorption, fading, and UV life in terms of tear strength. Most fabric projects are better off when well protected from both being regularly soaked and exposed to the sun.

Egyptian Cotton sailcloth samples with no treatment and Fabric Guard treatment.

[Father Bill]

In the sailmaking and boat cover business the most UV and weather resistant fabrics we use for boat covers and such tend to be acrylic first, followed fairly closely by polyester. It's not unusual for good ones to have a warranty to withstand five years or more of constant exposure without sun rot (the sun is usually a much bigger danger to these fabrics than water, as long as they have decent ventilation so that they can dry out after getting wet). The dye used to color them might be a different story though. They may or may not fade badly, and I don't know how you might predict the results for fading for fabrics not specifically designed for outdoor exposure. Most of the marine fabrics these days are pretty colorfast. Tartans not really intended for that sort of use? Who knows?

One thing you can do though is to routinely treat the fabric with 303 Fabric Guard (pump spray squirt bottle available from places like Amazon - not cheap, but excellent stuff). Fabric Guard is not only a water resistant treatment, it also contains the best UV absorbers that you can buy, and that's what is going to help reduce fading and sun rot. Basically, the UV blockers convert UV to heat, where it can dissipate into the atmosphere, rather than deteriorate the cloth. Over time, they get used up doing their work, so periodic re-treatment is a very good idea.

It won't alter the color or look of your fabric, but can have a big effect on water absorption, fading, and UV life in terms of tear strength. Most fabric projects are better off when well protected from both being regularly soaked and exposed to the sun.

Egyptian Cotton sailcloth samples with no treatment and Fabric Guard treatment.

Wow! A very thorough and helpful response.

The good news is that this will be for "occasional" use, so the fading may not be as big an issue as all that, but still, some really good pointers here.

Steve is suggesting P/V. Would your fabric guard suggestion work there or at least help?

[The Wizard of BC]

Bill, In you first post you specified that you want Tartan fabric for your flag.

As far as I know the only fabric available in Tartan, that would meet the requirements of a flag is P/V. It is already Teflon coated. It is very color fast. It will resist repeated wettings. And it will still look good after blowing in the wind.

If sailcloth were woven in Tartan it would be perfect.

So my suggestion is get some P/V, spray it with Scotch Guard or the 303 fabric guard brand of the same thing.

And fly it with pride.

[Father Bill]

Great! Thanks Steve.

So, Steve, and perhaps others, what's my source of a piece of Sinclair Modern a little larger than 6' x 3' to allow hemming etc.?

And what type of thread do I use to sew the hems? I'll be using Liesel's sewing machine, although she doesn't know that yet.

What type of cloth do folks recommend for the usual white hoisting strip?

[The Wizard of BC]

OK Bill, you are SOL. Sinclair is not one of the stock Tartans.

[Father Bill]

OK Bill, you are SOL. Sinclair is not one of the stock Tartans.

Darn! End of project!

Wool for occasional use like in WWI?

[Jock Scot]

Just in case the project continues, might a larger than normal sett be an idea? With the flag twenty feet up a pole and without a pair of binoculars handy many will wonder what the flag is, even when an explanation is given. Which brings me onto another thought, for a larger sett you might need a special weave or some cleaver computer work for some printer, so how about printing the larger sett onto some more suitable flag cloth? I am trying for you Bill!

This is getting dangerous this thinking business! Anyway, another thought. Don't forget that flags are two sided, so plain tartan might not do? So double thickness to cover both sides?