Waterproofing Canvas Cover

eshasek

eshasek

New Member
Jun 12, 2009
39
Tampa
Boat Info
260 Sundancer 2002
Engines
Mercruiser 5.0L MPI 260hp Bravo III stern drive
What is the best way to waterproof my boat cover? Please recommend products and tips. Is it better to let it dry before mounting back on the boat, or should it dry after treatment stretched on to the snaps to keep a tight fit. Are there any issues with pressure washing the cover on my driveway?

Thanks for any advice you can offer. I am just trying to keep up with everything I should be doing.
 
eshasek said:
What is the best way to waterproof my boat cover? Please recommend products and tips. Is it better to let it dry before mounting back on the boat, or should it dry after treatment stretched on to the snaps to keep a tight fit. Are there any issues with pressure washing the cover on my driveway?

Thanks for any advice you can offer. I am just trying to keep up with everything I should be doing.
Click to expand...

Try a product called Aqua-tite (not sure of spelling). It can be sprayed or brushed on but don't get it on your gelcoat. I took mine off and sprayed it on. Works great!
 
Just did all my canvas, cockpit/bridge carpets, etc with DCS http://www.dcs19.com/ very easy to apply.....I did with a garden pump with the 1 gallon jug........I used last year on a a canvas and worked well....mask the isenglass
 
I've used some 3M products before, but it can get a bit pricey. I make look at the options mentioned above.

Be very careful with pressure washers. I use mine on the SeaRay cover and I've done the Starcraft cover at the car wash. I wrecked a cover a few years ago by using too much pressure. It was pretty and clean, but the pressure broke up the weave of the canvas and I had to replace it the next year.
 
I pressure washed my Sunbrella cockpit cover many times on my last boat, you need to use a fan tip and be sensible, don't stay in the same spot for more than a few second. I always layed it out on the lawn and did the inner face first, this is where the mildew would collect. It would dry in the sun in about 30 minutes a side and then I would treat the outside with 303 Fabic Guard. This needed to be done every 3 to 4 seasons. My cockpit covers have lasted over ten seasons each this way. My current cover was new when I got the boat last July so I am still a few seasons out before treating it.
 
What ever product you use I have found it best to apply to the inside of your canvas covers also. It lasts much longer, the sun causes the outside protectant to break down quickly no matter how expensive of a product you use.

As far as applying I would recommend spraying as much installed on the boat as you can, or at least re-installing and letting the spray dry in position. Some protectors cause shrinkage big time. I learned this from experience on my first boat. I applied off the boat and tried to re-install after it was dry, shrinkage big time!!....I had to add 1" to the canvas in order to get the snaps to work!
 
Good point....I have never taken my bridge canvas down and never will.....It is so tight that it will never go back on......I will do the bridge canvas installed next week prior to the boat leaving the building (no wind)...
 
I wash per sunbrella instructions and then treat with 303.
But I had some canvas repair work done and the local outfit I used here, who deals with sunbrella products, recomended I try Aqua-Tite. So, when my 303 is used up, I am going to give it a try and see if I like it better, :huh:
Has anyone used both and have an opinion?
 
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I use the heavy duty waterproof spray by 3M. I think they all work pretty good (get some with UV protection). I do it every year and it seems to keep the fabric from fading and the water beads up and runs right off. Any quality spray applied yearly will do.
 
My carpets and canvas look brand new and well protected now.........I will do the bridge canvas on while still in storage....I also do all the zippers as part of this routine....
 
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Do not pressure wash on your driveway if it is blacktop, concrete is OK. I wash my canvas on a poly tarp on my lawn. I then hang it on a cloths line to rinse & dry and also to spray with 303. Roll the canvas (do not fold), take it to the boat before it is dry and install. When it is up on the boat, I use a paint brush to retouch the seems with 303.
 
Thanks to everyone for the great information. I will start with the Sunbrella web site and probably go with 303 from there based on the consensus above. I will also use the apply on the grass over a tarp and re-install while still wet approach to keep the product away from the gel-coat and to avoid the shrinkage issue (don't want to be George Costanza).

Thanks again. I have my project for next week.
 
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