Used Billboard Vinyls as tarps?

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
  • Super Cedar firestarters 30% discount Use code Hearth2024 Click here

7acres

Minister of Fire
Dec 5, 2013
653
South East USA
(broken link removed to https://greenville.craigslist.org/grq/d/used-billboard-vinyls-heavy/6582334213.html)

Hello,
A couple years ago I purchased 6mil poly from the big box store to cover my stacks. It was fine for year 1. But it oxidized, became brittle and is in tatters now. I am looking for a more long lasting replacement. Do any of you know about using (broken link removed to https://greenville.craigslist.org/grq/d/used-billboard-vinyls-heavy/6582334213.html) as tarps? Any idea how they hold up?
 
(broken link removed to https://greenville.craigslist.org/grq/d/used-billboard-vinyls-heavy/6582334213.html)

Hello,
A couple years ago I purchased 6mil poly from the big box store to cover my stacks. It was fine for year 1. But it oxidized, became brittle and is in tatters now. I am looking for a more long lasting replacement. Do any of you know about using (broken link removed to https://greenville.craigslist.org/grq/d/used-billboard-vinyls-heavy/6582334213.html) as tarps? Any idea how they hold up?

Why not just use a tarp for a tarp?
 
Traps get shredded by the wind within a year. Not to mention the mess in your wood stacks. Its no fun picking tiny strips of tarp out of every nook and cranny.

My neighbor has old billboard material covering his stacks. Been using the same one for about 3 years now. So I guess you could say they hold up pretty well, but I wouldn’t know first hand. Rubber roofing also works great if you can get your hands on some.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mtarbert
Why not just use a tarp for a tarp?

I have used Northern Tool wood tarps for many years. They are long and narrow designed specifically for the top of wood pile rows. I would get about 3 years use out of a tarp. Not ideal but the fit is perfect; 6' x 24' pre-finished size.
 
I'm not a huge fan of tarps but for now it's all I have and they've held up fine going on 2 years now, and they aren't fancy...They are the green ones from Harbor Freight. I think the 8 x 15 is what I usually get, or maybe 8x11. Either way the price is right and they hold up fine. The oldest ones are starting to fade out a bit and might have a hole here or there but they aren't falling apart.
 
Has anyone tried using greenhouse plastic? Thats what I'll be using to solar kiln and its held up on my raised bed hoops for over 5 years now. It usually only gets a few months of use a year though in the spring and early summer. Its supposed to have a UV treatment on it to keep it from from disentegrating and I think its rated for 4 years use on greenhouses.

(broken link removed to http://www.greenhousemegastore.com/product/4-year-greenhouse-film/plastic-film)
 
I like the wraps that lumber yards get around their bunks of lumber. They throw them in their dumpsters, and are glad to get rid of them. The ones I have are going on 3 years.
 
I have a billboard tarp I have used the last 6 years, and it works great. I cut it to size so that I can hang retired soil cutting teeth from a backhoe, on all four corners and the tarp is off the ground.

I also use rubber belting now during this time of the year. We have mining companies in town so it's not that hard to get ahold of some. Keeps the rain off the top and lets the air flow through the side.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 7acres
been using the billboard stuff for quite a while - only thing better is used rubber roofing- they want big bucks here for it used. heck its hard to get free manure around here as well.
 
I can't find "used rubber roofing" for sale on Craigslist. In my experience roofing trash just all goes in a dumpster and hauled off to the dump after a job is done. Is this just something where if you know a roofing company they could hook you up? But otherwise you'll never see it for sale?
 
I found this website. (broken link removed) They've got a lot of interesting offerings. Roof Mop Down is one of them. Apparently that's the industry lingo for roof rubber.
 
Roof mop down is not a viable product for this use. What is contained in the prior link is an asphalt impregnated mat that is sealed by "mopping" on heated asphalt compound. What they are selling are the rolls that are unused. I would not put that product on my wood.

An alterative is what is called "rubber roofing", which is a torch down modified bitumen product that contains a rubber product with a dry layer of asphalt on the bottom. When installed roofers use a torch to heat the rolls after they are laid or rolled out, melting the underlying asphalt to form a secure attachment to the roof. Layers weld themselves to each other via this melted asphalt.

The rubber can be purchased for about $75 a roll and comes in a 3' x 33' section. Don't know if using this product in full sun would result in the asphalt melting onto the stacked wood pile, but I wouldn't take the chance. Better alternatives out there, but props to @7acres for at least making the suggestion.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 7acres
This year I scored some used pond liner. Tried tarps but they don't last long, just a year or two. We'll see how long this liner lasts.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 7acres
So I settled on purchasing a 5 pack of 5' x 11' billboards vinyls. This won't cover all my stacks. But it will cover about a season and a half. I plan to perpetually keep next season's wood covered. Not free, cost me $65. Hopefully buy once cry once.

Now I get to wait excitedly to see if I get any fun billboards that'll make my wife cringe. I'm hoping for Hooters or Victoria Secret ;lol