Cleaning Canvas Question
Cleaning Canvas Question
I have the Dowsar full enclosure (light grey sunbrella) and this summer we have gotten a lot of black soot looking streaks. We took off the canvans and scrubbed it lightly with a soft brush and enviro friendly soap. Soiling remains. Any ideas of how to clean and what to put back on to protect it?
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Night Sailor
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If it was truly a soap, residue remains. Make a dish or bucket of dishwashing detergent, like Joy or Dawn, make a lot of suds, then use just the suds to pat on over the stains. Allow to soak for a few minutes then rinse off with spray nozzle. Rubbing or brushing doesn't help, only drives stain deeper. If you have any available, TSP (trisodium phospate) is a good cleaner that doesn't leave a residue. Again rinse with pressure, don't rub or brush.
Once clean and thoroughly dry, use Scotchguard or Zepel or a similar silicon protectant.
On regular cotton canvas some had used Thompson's Waterseal successfully. I wouldn't unless I called the Sunbrella factory first, as Sunbrella is acrylic, and might react to the organic solvents in the Thompson's.
Once clean and thoroughly dry, use Scotchguard or Zepel or a similar silicon protectant.
On regular cotton canvas some had used Thompson's Waterseal successfully. I wouldn't unless I called the Sunbrella factory first, as Sunbrella is acrylic, and might react to the organic solvents in the Thompson's.
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Duane Dunn, Allegro
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Neither of the products mentioned above are recommended for Sunbrella which I assume your Dowsar enclosure is made of as that is what mine is. Sunbrella is quite different than cotton canvas.
I find it easiest to remove the canvas, spread out and give it a good hard scrub and rinse. Soap and elbow grease will get the dirt off.
Then you need to protect the sunbrella with 303 Fabric Guard. It's the only Sunbrella factory approved product. You need quite a bit, you might want to get the gallon of 303. You can get it at www.sailrite.com . Just search for '303'
Be sure to keep it off you windows and zippers as it's bad for those parts. You need a different product to keep the windows supple. Sail Rite has that as well.
I find it easiest to remove the canvas, spread out and give it a good hard scrub and rinse. Soap and elbow grease will get the dirt off.
Then you need to protect the sunbrella with 303 Fabric Guard. It's the only Sunbrella factory approved product. You need quite a bit, you might want to get the gallon of 303. You can get it at www.sailrite.com . Just search for '303'
Be sure to keep it off you windows and zippers as it's bad for those parts. You need a different product to keep the windows supple. Sail Rite has that as well.
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Timm Miller
- First Officer
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Washing Machine
I have washed my Sunbrella mainsail cover and bimini and bimini boot in the washing machine in cold for the last 4 years........and come out looking great. I then spray them with Mary Kate Waterproofing....last all season. Use Ivory Soap.