Water repellant spray

[pigbike]

What should I use to spray my Bimini top with to enhance it's water repellant ability. I was thinking Scotch gard, but that might not be the best, or not work at all. I know there are products out there but not which ones work.

[Skoot]

I used this on my boat cover.  Got it from Walmart. Works great and its cheap.

http://www.armynavyusa.com/rothco-kiwi- ... FuBm1FR18E

[wingtime]

What is the top made out of?  Sunbrella?  If so the only thing Glen Raven recommends is 303 Fabric guard.  But it is spendy stuff.  Luckily a bimini would not take much.  Another product is Iosso water repellant.

[pete]

x 2 on the 303

[pigbike]

Yes it is Sunbrella. I'll check out the 303 and losso.

[RickK]

Just cleaned and applied 303 on my 230's cover - took a gallon to cover it all.  Rained the next day and it shed better than new, I think.

[pigbike]

A gallon??? How big is your top? How do you apply the 303, do you soak the fabric or just dampen it. What are the application instructions?

[kraw2]

303..!

The instructions are on their website. It didn't take that much for my 31' CC.


Application
303 Fabric Guard is best applied in two light applications
instead of one heavy dose. Choose a warm day (50-105°F) and
spray in a well ventilated area. Avoid heat, sparks, smoking, or
open flame during application (303 Fabric Guard is flammable
until dry). Also avoid contact with skin and eyes (protective
clothing is recommended).
Before application, test the colorfastness of the material or
carpet by spraying in an inconspicuous area and wiping the
area while wet to see if the color transfers. Clean material to
be treated and let dry completely before applying 303 Fabric
Guard. Spray evenly holding the nozzle tip 8 to 12 inches from
the material. Only mist the exposed side of your material. DO
NOT SATURATE! Allow the solvent to evaporate between applications.
On fabrics the final application should dry and cure for
8 to 12 hours. When used on carpeting, a 12 to 24 hour drying

[RickK]

My 230's cover is probably close to 28 ft long and 15ft across.  

If I remember right the instructions say you should get about 500 sq ft of coverage or less depending on the condition of the fabric.
Anyway, I used an HVLP sprayer turned down to a LVLP amount of output and I covered, not soaked the cover front to back.  Took all but a little of the gallon.  I then took the rest and hit some spots I didn't think I got good coverage on.

Next I have the 13 ft of bimini to clean and spray.
Then it's on to the 170's cover and bimini. Probably use another 1-2 gals for all that.

[pigbike]

Now I understand why it took a gallon. Thats a lot of cover you have.

[pigbike]

I had to get my bimini restiched and a zipper replaced. Had the work done at Shumakes Custom Boat Tops in Tampa. I asked Pete what to spray the top with and he said Aqua Tite Green, which he also sells. He told me there are more expensive sprays but they are for the most part the same. He uses Sunbrella in his tops and Top Gun in his covers. He has been there 28 years, so should know what works.

I cleaned the bimini and boot the other day, and will spray it today. Say's to let it dry in the sun 72 hrs. after spraying, guess it has a cure period.