Canvas Maintenance
 

Do you guys spray your cockpit canvas for waterproofing? If so, how often and what do you use? TIA.

Re: Canvas Maintenance
 

I washed and re-sprayed my cockpit cover for the AT this past summer. Took the cover to a coin laundry and used the biggest washer and dryer they had to clean it first. Didnt use any heat in the dryer.
Then I bought a 3M Teflon Waterproofing from Boaters world. Poured that into a pressure sprayer and sprayed the canvas while it was spread out on the lawn.
Worked very well, water beads and rolls off like a fresh waxed car.

Re: Canvas Maintenance
 

303 is the cleaner and sealant for Sunbrealla--

Re: Canvas Maintenance
 

Hey Poorsche, where can I get 303? TIA

Re: Canvas Maintenance
 

The West Marine and BoatUS in this area carry it.

Re: Canvas Maintenance
 

We use Sunbrella in a lot of our products and the best source on info is -- http://www.sunbrella.com/usa/carecle...ngmarine.shtml --

The stuff I was talking about and that Sunbrella recommends is 303 High Tech Fabric Guard™ .

There are great care/maint tips there and the 303 is available at West and now even automotive stores because it's great on convertible tops as well.

Re: Canvas Maintenance
 

I've done the same thing as Tatrum, except for the washing machine. I may try that next time. I've just scrubbed it with a brush a day or 2 before i waterproofed it with the same stuff (starbrite makes a similiar product to 3M's)

Re: Canvas Maintenance
 

The shop that made my full cover said to use Ivory Snow detergent because it's very gentle especially on the stitching. Mix a cup or two in a five gallon pail with warm water and a very, very small amount of bleach. ( kills any possible mildew, also Ivory Snow sudses alot )
Spread the cover on the driveway and soak with a garden hose. Srub with soap mixture using an RV brush on a long handle so you can do it standing up. Rinse, rinse, rinse till no more soap comes out. Let dry and spray with water proofing from a garden type sprayer. I use a Starbrite water proofing from West Marine, about $20.00 a gallon. One gallon is enough for my 21 ft. boat cover. I do this every spring as part of routine maintenance. Cover is about 6 years old and looks like new. It also doesn't hurt that my boat is stored inside year round. Hope this helps.

Re: Canvas Maintenance
 

Also for anyone that has plastic windows, there is a product called Plexus, use it to clean your windows and it will also keep them soft, as it stops the plasticizers from drying out of the window:)

Re: Canvas Maintenance
 

One of the keys with Sunbrella is keeping it clean. When it gets dusty or dirty, it doesn't repel water as good even if it's treated, they call it "wetting out". The small dust particles give the water a foothold and it doesn't repel as well, or not at all. I got tired of my Sunbrella cover and used a product called Aqualon, I'll never go back to Sunbrella.