Sunbrella Boat Cover - Waterproofing

gnrboyd

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Oct 18, 2007
Messages
157
I recently bought a used boat that has a Sunbrella cover. It is about 15 years old. The cover seems to be in pretty good shape but it had a few small tears here and there so I had a local canvas repair company repair it. The boat was stored inside a garage most of the time but after 15 years the canvas guy recommended that I spray on some silicone based waterproofer which they sold at 38.00 a gallon. (He said it would take the whole gallon on my 16' 5" boat - 6' beam) I opted to look around before buying anything.

I contacted Sunbrella and the only thing they recommend on their material is 303 High Tech Fabric Guard. I've found it in 16 oz, 32 oz and gallon containers. This product covers 75-100 sq feet per 16 oz. I am roughly estimating that I would need around 32 oz. or a little more because I generally tend to over-do things a bit. A 32 oz. bottle is around 26.00 at a local marine store. Holy cow?what are they making this out of?? Liquid Gold?

Here are the email comments from Sunbrella about waterproofing Sunbrella products:
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Thank you for contacting Sunbrella.com. The knock against Silicone products is that it will make the fabric stiffer, mildew will grow on Silicone, it will only provide protection for a few months (usually one season)and it can discolor the fabric. There are no other companies that provide a product such as 303 that we are aware of. Silicone is less expensive, but the cost you will incur when re-applying the finish will be much more expensive than one treatment with 303.

The best advice we can provide is to shop around at local marine shops/marinas and see what else is out there and what has worked well for others in the same situation. Hope this information helps, please do not hesitate to contact us with any further questions regarding Sunbrella brand fabrics.

Regards,
Sunbrella Customer Service
-------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm thinking I probably should go with the 303 even though it seems very over priced. Have any of you ever used the 303? Is there a less expensive alternative? Even the gallon size is in the 70.00 - 90.00 range from what I found on the web. I'd like to hear your experiences with your Sunbrella covers.

Thanks​
 

Scaaty

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5,180
Re: Sunbrella Boat Cover - Waterproofing

Walmart..hunting section. HD ScotchGard. $4 a can
Used on my half canvas top on the big boat. It was always stored inside by original owner, just used for ocean fishing trips. I've had it 5 years, and sits in the slip 8-12 weeks. Boats a 77, and the top is orginal...
 

sixgun95

Seaman
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Jun 28, 2007
Messages
50
Re: Sunbrella Boat Cover - Waterproofing

IMO 303 products are some of the best out there. I use their Aerospace Protectant on the boat, cars, motorcycles. The fabric cleaner and fabric guard are excellent. I recommend purchasing at http://properboatcare.com/303hitefagu.html Great company, been using for years, with great prices as well!
 

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
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Mar 25, 2004
Messages
27,036
Re: Sunbrella Boat Cover - Waterproofing

I would use the scotchguard or a generic equivalent. The cover is 15 years old and has tears, it does not have too much time left. Also, mold will not grow on a dry cover, and I have never seen much mold on covers anyway.

If the cover does get moldy, dry it in the sun or use a non-bleach mold killer or even dilute bleach and sunshine...
 

Pursuit2150

Chief Petty Officer
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Dec 3, 2001
Messages
553
Re: Sunbrella Boat Cover - Waterproofing

I have used "Scotchgard" every year, works fine.
 

gnrboyd

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Messages
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Re: Sunbrella Boat Cover - Waterproofing

Walmart..hunting section. HD ScotchGard. $4 a can

Used on my half canvas top on the big boat. It was always stored inside by original owner, just used for ocean fishing trips. I've had it 5 years, and sits in the slip 8-12 weeks. Boats a 77, and the top is orginal...​

Any idea how far a can of Scotchgard goes? (square feet) I assume this is a spray can you are referring to. They guy at the canvas shop told me I would need a whole gallon of his silicone treatment.​
 

scoutabout

Lieutenant Commander
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Oct 14, 2006
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1,568
Re: Sunbrella Boat Cover - Waterproofing

I used two quart cans of the silicone stuff on a sunbrella tonneau cover. It seemed to give good coverage. The boat was a 16 footer and the cover was just for the cockpit, not the bow.

I had a bad couple of moments though after letting it dry in the sun then trying to put it back on the boat. The top had shrunk about a quarter inch in every direction. By carefully working and stretching the cover I got it on the snaps and after a few weeks of use it seemed to return to normal. Scared me pretty good though at the time!
 

arks

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Nov 7, 2002
Messages
1,929
Re: Sunbrella Boat Cover - Waterproofing

Scothgard works fine for small stuff like a jacket, but it's packaged in an aerosol can, which means you're also paying for the propellant. Big waste IMO. It 'll probably take 10-15 cans to do a large cover.

I've had great success with the MaryKate waterproofer. It's sold online and costs about 40% less than 303. It comes in a 32 oz. pump bottle or gallon container. An internet search found gallons for about $35.
My cover was royal blue Sunbrella on a 23' cuddy. I laid it flat on the grass (upside down) and soaked it. After the sun dried it (2-3 hours), I turned it over and sprayed the outside, then put the cover on the boat as soon as it was dry enough to handle without dripping. As I recall, I used about 3/4 gallon. I had no color loss or fading and, by snapping it on the boat while wet, minimized the shrinking. It lasted about 2 seasons before needing re-application. Good stuff for a decent price.
 

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Pursuit2150

Chief Petty Officer
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Dec 3, 2001
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553
Re: Sunbrella Boat Cover - Waterproofing

IMO anything other than Scotch-gard spray , is a total waste of time & money.
I have used it for years, the water beads well .
 

Bondo

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Re: Sunbrella Boat Cover - Waterproofing

Ayuh,...... Another vote for Scotch Guard here,......

Back when I still had the fold-down bimini,....
I used to spray it with Camp-Dry which is basically pure Silicone every year,...
And,....
Every year I had a Drip which of course was right where it dripped down the back of my neck......

I went to Scotch Guard,+ No More Leaks,.....
I would buy 1 spray can,+ spray it on til it was gone each spring,.....
 

Scaaty

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Re: Sunbrella Boat Cover - Waterproofing

Any idea how far a can of Scotchgard goes? (square feet) I assume this is a spray can you are referring to. They guy at the canvas shop told me I would need a whole gallon of his silicone treatment.​

I'd take a wild guess and say its 8x8...2 cans plenty. Really depends on how much ya soak it.
 

gnrboyd

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Oct 18, 2007
Messages
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Re: Sunbrella Boat Cover - Waterproofing

I emailed 3M about their recommendation on using Scotchgard on Sunbrella frabric. Here is their response.​


Thank you for contacting 3M. We value your interest in our products.
We can not recommend Scotchgard(TM)Outdoor Fabric Protector to be used on Sunbrella fabric. For care instructions, please consult the manufacturer of the boat cover.

Best Regards,

Robyn
3M Protective Materials &
Consumer Specialties Division
800-367-7683
 

Scaaty

Vice Admiral
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5,180
Re: Sunbrella Boat Cover - Waterproofing

Well, theres your answer!
But ya say ya store it inside anyway, so I would just ingore and move on...spend the money on boat gas!
 

gnrboyd

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Re: Sunbrella Boat Cover - Waterproofing

It's hard to imagine that 3M wouldn't test their product on several canvas types in order to promote positive results and increase sales. Then again, maybe they did and the results were not good. (I would find that hard to believe with their reputation... and the comments on this thread.)

I do store the boat inside but it will be out on a few camping trips and on the road obviously so I want it to repel the water. You're probably right that the Scotchgard would be sufficient for my purposes. If I can't find the 303, MaryKate, or similar product for a good price, I will probably just go with the Scotchgard.

Thanks for your input!​
 

crazy charlie

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Re: Sunbrella Boat Cover - Waterproofing

I have tried them all .The form. 303 is surely one of the best but I found one that I now use which works just as good.Go to the camping dept at Walmart as you have been told to do .Reach for the can of Scotchguard and them move to the left and get the can with the bright orange lid right next to it.It is one of the best I have ever used.Cant remember the name.It is also the cheapest one I have ever used.One can does the entire bimini of my mako .I did a posting on this product a few years back when I first discovered how well it worked.You can do a search on "Cheap waterproofing product".I cant remember the exact title I gave it.Charlie
 

gnrboyd

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Re: Sunbrella Boat Cover - Waterproofing

I wonder if you are referring to Camp-Dry that Bond-O mentioned earlier in the post. I'll check it out next time I go to Wally World. I'm leaning toward buying something I can get in a gallon container and spray on with a garden sprayer. I keep thinking something in the 20.00 range will appear as an economical choice to the 303. The MaryKate waterproofer that arks mentioned is one that I will research further as an option.

I bought my used boat back in the fall after not having a boat for 6 years or so. I've had several little projects I've been doing. I get started on one, and then move on to another before finishing the first. If anyone looked at my post history, they'd find I've jumped around quite a bit. I tend to ask a lot of questions...gather a lot of opinions...then ponder for a while longer....then act when I get around to it. The waterproofer subject is no different. I have until April before it will be outside for any length of time so I have some more pondering time.

Thanks for the input.​
 

crazy charlie

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Re: Sunbrella Boat Cover - Waterproofing

Do yourself a favor.Dont make such a project out of this.Buy the orange topped can at Wallyworld for $4 and spray the fabric and move on to another project.You wont get much accomplished if you spend so much time researching the simple stuff.And this is as simple a task as you will ever have when it comes to your boat.Charlie
 

gnrboyd

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Oct 18, 2007
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Re: Sunbrella Boat Cover - Waterproofing

Point well taken Charlie. I can't promise I'll take your advice but I'll try. My wife has spent the last 20 years trying to change me and she hasn't succeeded....yet. :D
 
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