Cleaning & Treating Sunbrella Cover

[MN Ryan]

After a few summers of use, I figure it's time to give my cover a cleaning and retreatment. Sunbrella has cleaning and retreatment tips on their site--has anyone used a different (cheaper?) treatment product with good success? I am not opposed to using theirs if it is good, but I can't imagine it's a proprietary formula.

[MN Ryan]

Just ordered some 303 Fabric Guard.

[bturner]

I've been using the Fabric Guard for the last 10 years. It works but as you're probably aware it's expensive. I used to buy 2 gallons of the stuff to do my waterline covers that were on 20' boats but that was wayyyy overkill and did it every year as the boat sits outside all summer. that too I'm thinking was excessive. This year I plan move to an every other year schedule and just wash the cover. I typically wash the cover while on the boat using boat wash soap and a pole mounted brush, letting it dry thoroughly and calling it done. I'll then pull the cover off and use either spray wax or spray detailer to touch up the top side of the boat as I like to store the boat fully detailed and ready for the next season.

Top apply the Fabric Guard, I like using a cheap garden sprayer many of which will be going on sale soon as the gardening season ends. My garage floor is finished in urethane and keep clean so I'll use it to layout the cover, get it as flat as possible then soak the cover using the garden sprayer. You'll be surprised on the coverage you'll get with the product. I typically have enough to do the boat cover, Bimini and the cover for the Waverunner with a gallon and that's really getting everything thoroughly saturated.

I've heard of a canvas shop that uses a large plastic bin half filled with the stuff that he buys in bulk that he'll submerse the covers in then pull them out vertically to drip dry but have never actually seen this operation in person.

Make sure you are working with this stuff in an extremely well ventilated area and maybe even wear a respirator. That stuff really off gases. I have a 3 car garage and have both door open when I work with this stuff.

[MN Ryan]

Thanks, bturner! That was my plan pretty much to a T.

[GMLIII]

This is what I use. I use and electric sprayer to apply to my Bimini top as well as my Mooring cover.