Canvas Care

[FreeBeeTony]

This is my first year winterizing this boat with a bimini top and eisinglass.<br /><br />I removed the top and glass, cleaned and stored the glass inside.<br /><br />Is there anything special that needs to be done to the canvas on the bimini? I was gpoing to store it in my shed.

 

[bayman]

Re: Canvas Care

I like to make sure it is dry and cover it so that dust doesn't accumulate on it all winter and make it drab looking. My current bimini is white, so dirt gets noticed quickly.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Canvas Care

I would recommend putting it in a boot if you have one and storing it in your house somewhere,attic,garage etc..For some reason rodents and spiders like to get into canvas when in a shed.Wait until spring to wash or waterproof.Charlie

 

[Solittle]

Re: Canvas Care

I have a Bimini and a dog house on my 23'er. The canvas is 10 years old and in good condition. I have had the seams resown twice. I attribute this to keeping the canvas up so that the sun dries it out when it gets wet. The key is to do anything to avoid mildew which leads to rot. There is not much that you can do to preserve the eisinglass that I know of. I replaced the eisinglass on the front of my dog house with canvas years ago.

 

[jollymon]

Re: Canvas Care

I agree with the first half of crazy charlie, do not store it in the shed unless you are looking to buy new canvas in the spring. I had mine in the shed overnight, and the mice started moving in. I think the only thing that stopped them from chewing the canvas was a roll of paper towells that was right next to it. <br /><br />On the second half I would was it before you store it for the winter. I use a bucket of warm water, ivory bar soap, and a scrub brush on a long pole. I do mine on the boat before I pulll it. It just makes it easier to handle. I have done off the boat,, but it is harder to handle, dry etc...<br /><br />I take the bar soap and a cheese grater (i have one just for the boat cleaning box) and grate about 2/3 of the bar into a bucket, then fill thebucket with warm water. hose down the canvas to remove all of the loose dirt, then I scrub and rinse it. I a little anal, so I waterproof it when it dries then I do it again in the spring, but that just me.<br /><br />Make sure that it 100% dry before you store it or it will mold. Once the mold sets in your canvas is on it death march.