Washing/treating large boat covers?

[ricohman]

My new Sunbrella Supreme boat cover is great. Absolutely waterproof and fits well.
I want to keep it like this as long as possible but this cover is on a 22.5 Islander and it is heavy and bulky. There is no way I could treat it like my other cover in a large drum.
How do the rest of you wash and treat large covers?
The inner lining is worn on mine and I have applied a bit of 3M 4000 and will by glueing on some sunbrella supreme reinforcement. Then pad the boat in those areas. I do not trailer with the cover but we have days when there are 70kmh sustained winds.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Washing/treating large boat covers?

what i do to clean mine is i lay it out in the drive way and use a boat brush on a handle and scrub it with Woolite detergent. Drape it over a line and rinse well. Let dry and take a pressure sprayer with 303 fabric protectent and give it a couple of coats.

 

[ricohman]

Re: Washing/treating large boat covers?

what i do to clean mine is i lay it out in the drive way and use a boat brush on a handle and scrub it with Woolite detergent. Drape it over a line and rinse well. Let dry and take a pressure sprayer with 303 fabric protectent and give it a couple of coats.

Thanks for the line tip.
I would never have thought of that. I am going to use the winch on my FJ40 to a tree to dry it and treat it.
iboats comes through again!

 

[JoLin]

Re: Washing/treating large boat covers?

I do it on the boat. I unsnap from the stern and roll/fold it up toward the windshield. Stand in the cockpit and use a scrub brush, unrolling the cover as I go, until I'm doing the last bit standing on the swim platform. Hose it down from the dock to get the detergent off. Once it's dry I just repeat the process to treat it.

My .02

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Washing/treating large boat covers?

All Benningtons come from the factory with full mooring covers. Since they cost $1500 to replace (from a dealer), I think I'll be taking good care of my top. If left outside 24/7, they maybe have a 4 year lifespan.

I would treat my top like my local oriental carpet dealer. I'd spread them out on my driveway and scrub them with a big bar of Ivory soap. If it's okay for a $10,000 rug, it's okay for my top.

And 303 canvas protectant should be applied after it's dry and put back on the boat.