I've used the dampening method a few times myself—traction wasn't really an issue as long as you don't overdo it. Just a light mist usually does the trick. Good idea testing it on a smaller area first, though...better safe than sorry.
I've messed around with dampening too, and yeah, a little mist goes a long way. But honestly, when it comes to TPO welding, it's less about traction and more about not overheating the material. If you start seeing smoke or discoloration, you're definitely pushing it. I've learned the hard way—had a small area bubble up on me once. Not fun patching that up later... Keep an eye on your heat settings and move steadily, you'll usually be fine.
Yeah, overheating TPO is a real pain. I had a similar issue last summer—thought I had the heat dialed in, but got distracted for just a second and ended up with a nasty bubble. Took way longer to patch than it would’ve to just slow down and keep an eye on things. Like you said, steady pace and watching for discoloration is key. Lesson learned the hard way...
Been there, done that... nothing like a giant bubble to humble your DIY pride, right? Honestly though, I think the sweet spot for TPO welding is more about feel than exact temp numbers. Once you get that slight sheen without going full-on glossy, you're usually good. But speaking of distractions—anyone else ever accidentally melt something nearby while zoning out on the weld? Lost a perfectly good extension cord once...
Haha, melting stuff nearby is practically a rite of passage. I once zoned out welding TPO and didn't realize my heat gun was pointed right at my tape measure—ended up with a weirdly artistic melted blob instead. Totally agree it's more about feel than numbers, but I've found that if you're getting bubbles consistently, dialing back the heat just a touch usually helps.
