spray water proofing sunbrella tops?

[daniel2229]

I went on vacation last week and of course it rained three of the seven days. Each day I had to get water off the Sunbrella bow and cockpit covers before opening the boat up. Water underneath was minimal. I wiped off the seats and opened the doghouse to find only about an inch of water. No problems.

When we removed the boat from the lake, I pulled the plug and very little water came out the drain hole.

However, on the last night it rained about two inches. The boat was bunked on the trailer as we were ready to pull out for home when we got up. Again I chased the water off the bow and cockpit covers. There must have been ten gallons of water on the cockpit cover to extent that it unsnapped all of my aft snaps.

I got the water off by moving the vehicle and trailer up a slight incline. But, when I got home to Dayton, I found the hold half filled with water. Pulled the boat up my steep driveway and pulled the plug again. It drained for five minutes! Had to get out the wet vac and clean up. I am assuming the water got in through the seams of the covers.

Is there any spray sealant made for the canvas covers similar to what is used on tents that is safe for my Sunbrella covers?

I may have to make some pvc pole supports just to prevent this from occurring again. However, I don't want to stretch the covers abnormally.

The boat is always stored in a covered garage, so it stays out of weather unless we are using it.

 

[Firestar]

Re: spray water proofing sunbrella tops?

You could pick up some canvas waterproofing spray from Walmart in their camping section.

 

[tommays]

Re: spray water proofing sunbrella tops?

1. Allways leave the plug OUT unless your boating as things like this happen all the time

I hope your starter did not get soaked ?


At wallmart in sporting goods they sell a water proof spray with an orange cap that works very good




Tommays

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: spray water proofing sunbrella tops?

The official Sunbrella website recommends using 303 High Tech Fabric Guard

Retreating the Fabric

As part of the finishing process, Sunbrella fabrics are treated with a fluorocarbon finish, which enhances water repellency. This finish is designed to last for several years, but must be replenished after a thorough cleaning. Based on test results, Glen Raven recommends 303 High Tech Fabric Guard? as the preferred retreatment product for Sunbrella fabrics. Fabrics should be retreated after thorough cleaning or after five years of use. For more information on retreatment products, please visit www.303products.com

http://http://www.sunbrella.com/na/en/marine.pl

Look in the Care and Cleaning section

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: spray water proofing sunbrella tops?

I use a cross-linking product that is actually used as a wood treatment, but I have found it works great for fabrics as well. You can carry water in canvas that is treated with the stuff.

I first tested it out on my girlfriend's patio umbrella before I used it on my t-top. The canvas umbrella is the same color it was 3 years ago (outside continuously in the Florida sun) and still beads water when it rains.

It works fantastic on the t-top...​

 

[Scaaty]

Re: spray water proofing sunbrella tops?

Trade secrets..hmm...probably just a siicone mix with a drying agent..
I spray my big boat (slipped 8 weeks) cockpit cover with the Walmart stuff yearly...do the seems with silicone spray..
Been thinking next will be Thompsons Water Seal by the gallon...but the silicone has the seagulls landing, skidding..flipping off, fun to watch..

 

[eli_lilly]

Re: spray water proofing sunbrella tops?

I use the 303 fabric spray to waterproof my sunbrella top and it works great. Leaked like a sieve before first application, doesn't leak now.


-E

 

[eli_lilly]

Re: spray water proofing sunbrella tops?

Trade secrets..hmm...probably just a siicone mix with a drying agent..

I think it's just some sort of spray wax. I should try Pledge next time.

-E

 

[Boatist]

Re: spray water proofing sunbrella tops?

You need to support the sunbrella where water will not stand on the cover first then deside if you really need anything else. I used PVC 3/4 inch pipe then slid a aluminum tube inside. The reason for the aluminum tube is I store my boat where it get full summer sun and the inside gets to 140 degrees almost every day. With out the aluminum pipe inside the pvc gets so hot it sags to the point it does no good at all. If I use just plain aluminum where it rubs on the cover it turns the cover black inside. I tried the 303 that Sunbrella recomends and it had very little affect but the cover really does not leak even after 7 years. I have never washed my cover in the washer.

In the rain or heavy coastal fog the cover gets wet but the water runs off. I tried the 303 to try and make two eyes and a smile in the windshield area but the sunbrella still got wet and could not see the eyes and smile.