Clean main sail cover

[zinahewitt]

Hi All,

I hope your week is going well, not too hot, not too rainy.

I have a main sail cover.
Looks like some sort of sunbrella fabric.
I was thinking of cleaning it, it looks like there is mildew or mold on it . I can't tell them apart.

I tried the usual hand washing bar of soap
and a diluted bleach.
Seemed to make no dent.
I tried elbow grease, no dent either.

Any advice ?
Or just live with it
or just get a new one made ?


Thank you

 

[PaulK]

Sunbrella is usually matte, and looks like canvas, showing the threads on both sides. This seems to be more like some kind of material with a plastic coating, which is now succumbing to mildew. Try another shot of bleach with bright sunlight.

 

[Crusty Ol Salt]

I was looking at your pictures.

It almost appears to be a chemical spell that has leached into the material?

 

[Project_Mayhem]

I'm not sure if that's sunbrella, or if that stain will come out but I take my canvas to the cleaners at the end of the season. It comes back looking close to new

 

[DaveJ]

To the cleaners? What do they do to it? And do they waterproof if after. Never heard of this!
Also, what’s the rough cost for dodger/Bimini etc.?
Thanks in advance.
dj

 

[Project_Mayhem]

To the cleaners? What do they do to it? And do they waterproof if after. Never heard of this!
Also, what’s the rough cost for dodger/Bimini etc.?
Thanks in advance.
dj

I think they do spot stain removal and their normal dry clean process. For a 10' sailcover, bimini, bimini boot, and tiller cover it costs $60-100. I doubt they waterproof it afterwards but the water does bead up unless you drench it

 

[kappykaplan]

I treat my dodger and bimini with 3M 303 every year.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Hi All,

I hope your week is going well, not too hot, not too rainy.

I have a main sail cover.
Looks like some sort of sunbrella fabric.
I was thinking of cleaning it, it looks like there is mildew or mold on it . I can't tell them apart.

I tried the usual hand washing bar of soap
and a diluted bleach.
Seemed to make no dent.
I tried elbow grease, no dent either.

Any advice ?
Or just live with it
or just get a new one made ?


Thank you

Sunbrella Stain Chart

 

[DaveJ]

I use 303 as well. I bought a gallon ($$$) with a friend, 4th year and lots left.
dj

 

[zinahewitt]

Sunbrella is usually matte, and looks like canvas, showing the threads on both sides. This seems to be more like some kind of material with a plastic coating, which is now succumbing to mildew. Try another shot of bleach with bright sunlight.

Thanks for the advice.
I did another run with a higher dose.
1 cup of bleach per gallon.
+ sun

It removed 90% of it.
Which is enough.

Thanks

 

[zinahewitt]

I treat my dodger and bimini with 3M 303 every year.

So for 303
You take it home,
you spray it ,
You let it dry ?

I assume in your garage as it says no dew. ?

 

[kappykaplan]

The items get cleaned, then dried, then sprayed, then air-dry. Truth be told, my sail loft does this for me. They also inspect and re-stitch/repair as necessary.

 

[PaulK]

Thanks for the advice.
I did another run with a higher dose.
1 cup of bleach per gallon.
+ sun

It removed 90% of it.
Which is enough.

Thanks

Glad it worked. Now go sailing!