Are HF tarps waterproof?

[4EyedTurd]

I need to park a few go karts out in the weather for the winter and want to keep water from ruining the seats and electric bits. How water proof are Harbor Freight tarps?

 

[langss]

Very Waterproof, however....once the sun gets to them that goes away very quickly. So may I suggest that if your going to store anything under them, for any length of time, that you double tarp them. The top tarp is the sacrificial tarp and the one under takes care of your items. At least that's what I do. Also the Silver Tarps are the heaviest 9mil so they cost a little bit more.

 

[M6erfan]

Very Waterproof, however....once the sun gets to them that goes away very quickly. So may I suggest that if your going to store anything under them, for any length of time, that you double tarp them. The top tarp is the sacrificial tarp and the one under takes care of your items. At least that's what I do. Also the Silver Tarps are the heaviest 9mil so they cost a little bit more.

+1. Thanks for saving me from typing pretty much the exact same advice. I use the silver ones.

 

[SRSemenza]

I find the silver gray ones to be quite good. Used them to cover a commercial mower during winter and occasionally for thunder storms. The blue are pretty thin for durability in the wind. Not sure how the green are. If I was planning for the whole winter I would go with the silver/gray.

Seth

 

[Skin]

Tarps in general aren't waterproof since its just material coated in polyurethane. As soon as the sun eats the poly coating its just a big sifter. Better off buying a vinyl cover for a motorcycle or grill. If you don't want to spend much money buy the thickest plastic drop cloth you can find.

 

[like2wheel]

Tarps in general aren't waterproof since its just material coated in polyurethane. As soon as the sun eats the poly coating its just a big sifter. Better off buying a vinyl cover for a motorcycle or grill. If you don't want to spend much money buy the thickest plastic drop cloth you can find.

I agree with this.
I keep a big roll of 6 mil poly & cut as needed for when I really need something waterproof.

 

[LeeG]

I find that keeping water out isn't as hard as letting the water out. Things covered with a tarp get condensation on them, then rust because the water is trapped under the tarp.

 

[rande]

Depends on the grade of their tarp. They have several grades. Light, medium and heavy.
The light duty isn't too bad when new but wears out and degrades in the sun. The heavy duty is much better. Thicker material and a tighter weave. I've got one of the heavy duty tarps on my parts car and it has already lasted longer than the free light duty tarps I had been using. Although they were free (with coupon) and I had to pay for the heavy one.

 

[Old Man Roger]

I find that keeping water out isn't as hard as letting the water out. Things covered with a tarp get condensation on them, then rust because the water is trapped under the tarp.

Agreed, even the best tarps won't keep moisture from ruining the seats pretty quick. I live in a really humid part of the country though. South Florida. My best results were making the tarp more tent like, rather than wrapping it in a tarp. It lets air flow but keeps the rain at bay.

 

[guy48065]

...and then there's the vermin that like being out of the rain and out of sight of predators while they feast on the wiring & seat foam.

 

[klindstedt]

...and then there's the vermin that like being out of the rain and out of sight of predators while they feast on the wiring & seat foam.

This! So true.

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