Washing Canvas

Bop

Bop

Active Member
Sep 3, 2013
300
Georgian Bay/Lake Huron
Boat Info
2001 410 Express, Highfield DL350 w/40hp Yamaha
Engines
Cat 3126
Going to re-spray my canvas top and want to make sure it gets a good clean first. The boat is indoor heated storage right now so i was thinking of pulling the top portions off (nothing with eisenglass) and putting them in my washer at home on gentle cycle. Then once dry spray them with 303 fabric guard. Anyone do this before?
 
You have a fairly large boat and the panels are probably large like mine on my 390 EC. We have a very large top load washer that I use to wash the 2 large panels one at a time. I use Dawn dish washing liquid along with bleach and warm water. Put it in, let it agitate a few minutes to mix everything really well the turn the washer off, close the lid and let sit about 1/2 hour. The let it finish the wash cycle and run it through 2 rinse cycles to get rid of all the soap and bleach. If I still any spots of mold left over they go through he same process again. Spread them outside on a nice day to dry use a really good quality hand held sprayer to apply the 303 once dry.
 
I just got done doing this same process. I went to our local laundry mat and used their oversized industrial washer for mine, worked great. I'm getting ready to put them back on the boat today!
 
I've always avoided using a top-load (with agitator) and went to a local laundromat with an oversized front loader. But this is for my cockpit cover which is likely much bigger than the panels you are dealing with. Whatever method you choose, make sure you use a mild soap and a minimal amount of it, along with making sure ALL of the soap gets out. Any soap that is left will affect how well the 303 (or any waterproofer, for that matter) adheres to the fabric fibers. For what it's worth, 303 makes their own cleaner that supposedly washes out easier and doesn't affect adhesion. Whether I've "drank the Koolaid", or not, I've always figured it wasn't worth a few bucks to have to possibly redo it again. I only need to re-waterproof every 2 or 3 years.
 
I do mine about every other year.
The canvas is fairly large. For that reason I go to a local laundromat that has the real big machines. I only put one piece in each machine with laundry soap and a cup of bleach. Yes bleach. The guy who did my canvas recommended it. It made me nervous at first, but didn't hurt my navy blue canvas at all.
After it comes out of the washer I hang dry it in the sun, and then spray it good with 303.
I've found that it's best to re-waterproof it in an overlapping pattern on both sides.
Do it both horizontally and vertically to make sure you get good coverage. Then visit the boat in the next rain storm to see if you missed a spot. If you did, just mark it and hit that spot again after it stops raining and the canvas completely dries.
You'll go through a lot of 303, so make sure you buy it by the gallon.
 
I do my canvas on the boat with Mermaid canvas cleaner. I'm come back in 1-2 days and apply the 303 with paint roller & tray. My dinghy cover has been brought home and I have done it in the washer with Tek-Wash. I use this stuff on all of my snow ski gear and it works great.
 
The Bill Collector said:
I do my canvas on the boat with Mermaid canvas cleaner. I'm come back in 1-2 days and apply the 303 with paint roller & tray. My dinghy cover has been brought home and I have done it in the washer with Tek-Wash. I use this stuff on all of my snow ski gear and it works great.
Click to expand...

I wondered about that tek wash. I use that on my ski gear too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Thinking roller also as perscribed on the bottle.I am curious to know what knap on the roller ,was thinking thin foam like for bottom paint or gel coat.
 
Never heard of using bleach on Sunbrella. Am I out of touch?:huh:
 
Instead of wearing your fingers out with a 303 spray bottle, I use a Home Defense battery operated sprayer (after I empty it around boat/dock). Works amazingly well. A pump up sprayer works as well
 
What method do you guys use for the pieces with glass - mine has strata glass.
 
Great thread! We are going to use our friend's industrial machine with Woolite. I'll buy a new sprayer for the 303 for re spraying. Again this site helps with great advice.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
almostenuff said:
Instead of wearing your fingers out with a 303 spray bottle, I use a Home Defense battery operated sprayer (after I empty it around boat/dock). Works amazingly well. A pump up sprayer works as well
Click to expand...

Where on earth do you find a battery operated sprayer? I keep the old Roundup and Home Defense pump bottles, but a battery sprayer would be even better.
 
SeaAyeOwe said:
What method do you guys use for the pieces with glass - mine has strata glass.
Click to expand...

I clean with a small handheld brush. Let it dry in the sun and then reapply the 303 from the bottle. That's for the canvase that surrounds the plastic.

Mark
 
Well I completed the job. Ran the top in the wash on gentle cycle cold with gentle detergent. Came out really nice. Let it dry and sprayed with two coats of 303. It's now installed and ready for boating season if that ever arrives. It's snowing again today!
 
Bop said:
Wow a roller must use a LOT of 303!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

It DOES! How I did it last year.
I washed our canvas at the quarter car wash. Did the small non-window pieces at home in the wash. While the rolling method did ensure good coverage it used a TON! In hindsight I feel a garden sprayer would have applied it much more efficiently.
 
I used to use a pump sprayer, but the over spray and mess wasn't worth it.... I have a 450 with camper canvas and use less than 1/2 gallon per application....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,220
Messages
1,428,859
Members
61,115
Latest member
Gardnersf
Back
Top