Canvas waterproofing treatment recomendations

Carpediem44DB

Well-Known Member
Aug 18, 2015
3,230
Sanfransico Bay area
Boat Info
2000 Carver 506
2006 44 DB Sedan Bridge
Engines
Volvo TAMD 74 P
With rainy season fast approaching I'm going to clean and treat the canvas. Has anyone found a magic elixir other than West Marine's or 303 fabric treatment that you are happy with?
Thanks
Carpe Diem
 
I've had good luck in the past with Starbrite. That being said, I'm back to name brand 303, buy it on Amazon in the gallon jug and its not bad. Bought a smaller garden sprayer and apply it with that. Can't believe I waited 10 years to apply it like that.
 
How many coats do you guys do for those who do it yearly? I do ours every year and I just can’t get it back to as good as the factory when it was new.

Maybe I’m just expecting too much, but there is a strip that’s covered by a flap and it repels water perfectly, the treated areas never get back to that
 
I have used starbrite but I find it does not last as long and makes the fabric more flexible. 303 seems to keep it stiffer. Not sure if it matters at all.
 
I’ve had good luck with the Starbrite product.
I use a pump sprayer and apply 2 coats. One horizontally and the other vertically.
 
I have never used anything but 303 Fabric Protector as I have had no reason to. I find it works perfect. Never had leak. Apply heavy on a warm day and done. I am going to do a light pressure wash on my cockpit enclosure tomorrow, let it dry and treat it. Never had a need to try anything else.

Bennett
 
Do you try to keep it off the Glass/isenglass when you apply the waterproof spray?
 
That was my last question too, It seems that when ever I want to apply it the wind picks up. Thinking of the roller or sponge brush on method. I had a window go bad in a matter of months and always wondered if I got some on it.
 
That was my last question too, It seems that when ever I want to apply it the wind picks up. Thinking of the roller or sponge brush on method. I had a window go bad in a matter of months and always wondered if I got some on it.

I do not even try to do the Sunbrella on the bridge enclosure and never had an issue. The bridge enclosure has such a minimal amount of fabric, I do not worry with it. I do the top and the cockpit enclosure. The only “window” I have to deal with is the big one in the center of the rear piece for the cockpit. I take a piece of cardboard and hold it to cover the window as I spray from the original spray bottle of 303. If do get overspray on a window, I wipe it off right way.

Bennett
 
Do you try to keep it off the Glass/isenglass when you apply the waterproof spray?

Mine have so little canvas around the glass panels that I don’t bother waterproofing them. They’re all vertical enough that I’ve never had any sign of water coming through.
I wash/clean the small canvas portions of those glass panels by hand anyway.
If for some reason I ever feel the need to waterproof those small sections around the glass I would use a small paintbrush to apply the product.
I wash the large sections of canvas that have no windows in them in large commercial machines at a local laundromat, hang them to air dry on a sunny day, use a pump sprayer to re-waterproof them and reinstall them.
 
I have used the roller method every time I water proof the canvas. Thin foam roller works best. And don't need to buy a pole for roller have my poll for the scrub brushes. just screw on the roller to the threaded scrub brush poll,
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,950
Messages
1,422,861
Members
60,932
Latest member
juliediane
Back
Top