Gonna Pull the trigger on a cover

[Blue Agave]

Mine is also an over the Tower/T-Top cover.  No trouble putting it on by myself, I believe the thru the T-Top cover would require more time.

[fitz73222]

How do you wash it Fitz?
My canvas guy said to use a pressurewasher.  My 230 cover is now 5 yrs old and getting pretty mildewy again - I did scrub it a couple times with a little bleach in the soapy water, no p-washer yet.  Came out much cleaner - it's a big cover and kinda hard to handle so I'm sure I didn't get it real clean.  My canvas guy said no bleach although Sunbrella site says ok.
My 170 cover gets mildewy real quick  :(

Hey Rick,
I run into a mildew problem occasionally as well. The key seems to be to just keep the cover clean so the Sunbrella can breath; but in reality I've tried everything to keep mildew from forming and twice a year it will appear. Keeping the boat as clean as possible seems to keep it in check. Bleach will kill the visible mold but you need to use ammonia after bleaching to kill the spores and it does work. My biggest enemy for my cover is the January/February pine pollen that just clogs the Sunbrella's ability to breath and turns it into a yellow snot paste when it gets wet and looks nasty. So in order not to remove the water proofing I wash it with a bucket full of diluted Simple Green and a soft mop, cover on the boat, and on a step ladder I just massage the cover without scrubbing it. This gets it clean enough without removing the water proofing. The Sunbrella water proofing liquid is a $100 per gallon so I do everything to maximize its life and it seems to be about 2.5 years. I've never pressure washed it because I'm afraid of removing the water proofing.

[RickK]

I know that Sunbrella recommends 303, my canvas guy said Scotchguard and that is less than $50 / gal.

[fitz73222]

I know that Sunbrella recommends 303, my canvas guy said Scotchguard and that is less than $50 / gal.

The issue with Scotchguard so I hear is that it is silicone based and you are not supposed to use it on Sunbrella. The 303 is ridiculously expensive @$100 a gallon and my cover needs a gallon to be re-waterproofed so I'm all ears for an alternative.

[wingtime]

They make a solar powered vent fan for boat covers that can be put on a support pole.  That may help with mildew.  Don't use a pressure washer on it!     Most pressure washers are too powerful and will force dirt and stuff INTO the fabric fibers.  got to sunbrella.com/cleaning for info on proper cleaning of Sunbrella fabric.   I bought a cover from the same flebay vendor that Gone Fish suggested.  Not bad for the $$$  I made some modifications that helped make the cover a little more custom fit.  I did notice the cover has already faded a bit so we will see how well it holds up in the FL sun.

[Skoot]

The issue with Scotchguard so I hear is that it is silicone based and you are not supposed to use it on Sunbrella. The 303 is ridiculously expensive @$100 a gallon and my cover needs a gallon to be re-waterproofed so I'm all ears for an alternative.

I've used Star Brite Waterproof Fabric Treatment on my cover twice.  Works great and easy to apply.  I used a Garden type pump sprayer and applied the product while it was on the boat.  Used a little over 1/2gallon for my 19-6 and the cost was around $40-50.
http://www.starbrite.com/productdetail. ... ductSSCat=

And an video http://www.starbrite.com/videos.cfm?ID=35

[wingtime]

For those of you that want the 303 cleaner PM me I can get it from my suppliers at cost for members.

[RickK]

That's a great offer Wing - cleaner or protector or both?

[wingtime]

anything you need

[GoneFission]

The issue with Scotchguard so I hear is that it is silicone based and you are not supposed to use it on Sunbrella. The 303 is ridiculously expensive @$100 a gallon and my cover needs a gallon to be re-waterproofed so I'm all ears for an alternative.

I've used Star Brite Waterproof Fabric Treatment on my cover twice.  Works great and easy to apply.  I used a Garden type pump sprayer and applied the product while it was on the boat.  Used a little over 1/2gallon for my 19-6 and the cost was around $40-50.
http://www.starbrite.com/productdetail. ... ductSSCat=

And an video http://www.starbrite.com/videos.cfm?ID=35

I agree - used it on one of my boats and it worked very well.

[fitz73222]

anything you need

Hey man,

Really nice offer... I would interested in your price for the 303 High Tech Fabric guard, water proofer.

Thanks,
Fitz

[gran398]

You da man Brucie

[wingtime]

Pm me for prices.  The 303 water proofer comes in a case of four gallons.  I can order by the gallon but as usual the case is less money.  So if we can get together four or more I can do a "group" buy.

[flounderpounder225]

got a quote from my local neighborhood guy who recovered my seats when I bought the boat, did a good job, he's quoting $780 complete for a 2 piece cover that zips up at the CC.  Have a friend who does this, he quoted me $2300... of course his is sunbrella and the the 780 one is Acrylon...  If I go with it, it could be a resource for others with the 245?

[wingtime]

Sunbrella is twice as expensive as Aqualon.  Also it has to be cut with a hot knife or it will fray so there is a tad bit more labor.  Even so the price delta should only be the difference in the fabric costs.  But the $780 is a REALLY good price to start..  the $2300 is a high price...   That is assuming the covers are of the same design and require a similar amount of fabric.