It being winter and time for the cleaning projects on my (new to me)Hunter 26, I have disassembled the Bimini to clean and possibly waterproof it. I have been following this group for a couple of years and have a great appreciation for the tips and facts posted. Is it harmful to palce the Sunbrella Canvas in the washing machine on gentle cycle? I have read in the past that this fabric has very low abrasion properties and is eaisly worn. The Bimini, Sail Cover and Companion Way Cover are in great shape and I don't want to make a mistake in the proper cleaning of them. What is the recommended way to clean and is waterproofing necessary. Thanks, J. R. Setser
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Barrie McDonald
Hot Tub it
JR I throw my dodger and bimini into my hot tub. Cleans it really well.Works very well for sails also. Barrie
JR I throw my dodger and bimini into my hot tub. Cleans it really well.Works very well for sails also. Barrie
R
ross
Sunbrella
I put my Sunbrella covers in the washing machine with a mild soap. Removed before the spin cycle and hung to dry. No abrasion problems. Sprayed 2 applications of "303" on it for waterproofing. Check attached link to Sunbrella for care and cleaning.
I put my Sunbrella covers in the washing machine with a mild soap. Removed before the spin cycle and hung to dry. No abrasion problems. Sprayed 2 applications of "303" on it for waterproofing. Check attached link to Sunbrella for care and cleaning.
J
Jim Rushing
Every Winter
I remove the bimini and bring it home to be washed. Lay it out on the hanger entrance pad and power wash it with a mild soap. Hang it up to dry and take it back to the boat after the icing season is over. Stretch it back on and spray both sides with the 303 3M product. It is eight years old now and I have to have portions of it restiched occasionally.
I remove the bimini and bring it home to be washed. Lay it out on the hanger entrance pad and power wash it with a mild soap. Hang it up to dry and take it back to the boat after the icing season is over. Stretch it back on and spray both sides with the 303 3M product. It is eight years old now and I have to have portions of it restiched occasionally.
C
Chuck
sunbrella care
Cleaning One of the best ways to keep Sunbrella fabrics looking good and to delay the need for deep or vigorous cleanings is to hose fabrics off on a monthly basis with clear water. This practice will help prevent dirt from becoming deeply imbedded in the fabric and eliminate the need for more frequent vigorous cleanings. In most environments, a thorough cleaning will be needed every two to three years. When it's time for a thorough cleaning, Sunbrella fabrics can be cleaned while still on an awning frame or a boat or, size permitting, they can be removed for cleaning in a washing machine. When cleaning Sunbrella fabrics, it is important to observe the following: Always use a natural soap (like dishwashing liquid). Never detergent. Water should be cold to lukewarm. Never more than 100 degrees. Air dry only. Never apply heat to Sunbrella fabrics. If you are cleaning Sunbrella while still on a frame or on a boat, follow these simple steps: Brush off loose dirt. Hose down. Prepare a cleaning mixture of water and mild, natural soap (no detergents). Use a soft bristle brush to clean. Allow soap to soak in. Rinse thoroughly. Air dry. If stubborn stains persist, you can use a diluted chlorine bleach/soap mixture for spot cleaning of mildew, roof run-off and other similar stains (see the Stain Chart at the end of this page for more specific recommendations). Prepare a special cleaning mixture: Four ounces (half cup) of chlorine bleach. Two ounces (one-fourth cup) of natural soap. One gallon of water. Clean with soft bristle brush. Allow mixture to soak for up to 20 minutes. Rinse thoroughly. Air dry. Repeat if necessary. Remember to protect the area around your Sunbrella if using a bleach solution. Carpet or other fabrics that are not Sunbrella may have an adverse reaction to the bleach. If an awning or boat cover is suitable in size for a washing machine, these steps should be followed: Use only natural soaps. No detergent. Wash and rinse in cold water. Air dry. Never put Sunbrella fabrics in your dryer. Re-treating the Fabric As part of the finishing process, Sunbrella fabrics are treated with a fluorocarbon finish, which enhances water repellency. This finish is designed to last for several years, but must be replenished after a thorough cleaning. Based on test results, Glen Raven recommends 303 High Tech Fabric Guard™ as the preferred re-treatment product for Sunbrella fabrics. Fabrics should be retreated after thorough cleaning or after five years of use. Check with your local Sunbrella dealer or distributor for more information. Applying 303 High Tech Fabric Guard™ 303 should be applied to Sunbrella fabrics after each thorough cleaning, which typically removes the original fluorocarbon finish and reduces the fabric's water repellancy. After cleaning the fabric, allow it to air dry completely and then apply 303 in a thin, even coat. After allowing the first coat of 303 to air dry, apply a second thin, even coating of 303. Two light coatings are more effective in restoring fabric water resistance than a single heavy coating. A 15-ounce bottle provides coverage of up to 50 square feet of lightweight fabric. Professional Cleaners You may have access to professional cleaning firms that service awnings. In evaluating the services of a professional firm, you should inquire about a firm's experience in working with Sunbrella fabrics and knowledge of cleaning and retreatment requirements.
Cleaning One of the best ways to keep Sunbrella fabrics looking good and to delay the need for deep or vigorous cleanings is to hose fabrics off on a monthly basis with clear water. This practice will help prevent dirt from becoming deeply imbedded in the fabric and eliminate the need for more frequent vigorous cleanings. In most environments, a thorough cleaning will be needed every two to three years. When it's time for a thorough cleaning, Sunbrella fabrics can be cleaned while still on an awning frame or a boat or, size permitting, they can be removed for cleaning in a washing machine. When cleaning Sunbrella fabrics, it is important to observe the following: Always use a natural soap (like dishwashing liquid). Never detergent. Water should be cold to lukewarm. Never more than 100 degrees. Air dry only. Never apply heat to Sunbrella fabrics. If you are cleaning Sunbrella while still on a frame or on a boat, follow these simple steps: Brush off loose dirt. Hose down. Prepare a cleaning mixture of water and mild, natural soap (no detergents). Use a soft bristle brush to clean. Allow soap to soak in. Rinse thoroughly. Air dry. If stubborn stains persist, you can use a diluted chlorine bleach/soap mixture for spot cleaning of mildew, roof run-off and other similar stains (see the Stain Chart at the end of this page for more specific recommendations). Prepare a special cleaning mixture: Four ounces (half cup) of chlorine bleach. Two ounces (one-fourth cup) of natural soap. One gallon of water. Clean with soft bristle brush. Allow mixture to soak for up to 20 minutes. Rinse thoroughly. Air dry. Repeat if necessary. Remember to protect the area around your Sunbrella if using a bleach solution. Carpet or other fabrics that are not Sunbrella may have an adverse reaction to the bleach. If an awning or boat cover is suitable in size for a washing machine, these steps should be followed: Use only natural soaps. No detergent. Wash and rinse in cold water. Air dry. Never put Sunbrella fabrics in your dryer. Re-treating the Fabric As part of the finishing process, Sunbrella fabrics are treated with a fluorocarbon finish, which enhances water repellency. This finish is designed to last for several years, but must be replenished after a thorough cleaning. Based on test results, Glen Raven recommends 303 High Tech Fabric Guard™ as the preferred re-treatment product for Sunbrella fabrics. Fabrics should be retreated after thorough cleaning or after five years of use. Check with your local Sunbrella dealer or distributor for more information. Applying 303 High Tech Fabric Guard™ 303 should be applied to Sunbrella fabrics after each thorough cleaning, which typically removes the original fluorocarbon finish and reduces the fabric's water repellancy. After cleaning the fabric, allow it to air dry completely and then apply 303 in a thin, even coat. After allowing the first coat of 303 to air dry, apply a second thin, even coating of 303. Two light coatings are more effective in restoring fabric water resistance than a single heavy coating. A 15-ounce bottle provides coverage of up to 50 square feet of lightweight fabric. Professional Cleaners You may have access to professional cleaning firms that service awnings. In evaluating the services of a professional firm, you should inquire about a firm's experience in working with Sunbrella fabrics and knowledge of cleaning and retreatment requirements.
What not to do
Had a bimini on our other boat that was in dire need of cleaning. Washing with mild soap and water wasn’t doing the trick, so I scrubbed in with a natural bristle brush. Well, it got fairly clean, but no matter how much 303 I put on it, I couldn’t stop it from leaking. I wore through the protective layers of the material I guess. I’m in the process of making a new bimini now.
Had a bimini on our other boat that was in dire need of cleaning. Washing with mild soap and water wasn’t doing the trick, so I scrubbed in with a natural bristle brush. Well, it got fairly clean, but no matter how much 303 I put on it, I couldn’t stop it from leaking. I wore through the protective layers of the material I guess. I’m in the process of making a new bimini now.
J
J. R. Setser
Thanks... Good recommendations
Thanks for the input and advice. I am going to wash and not spin dry, 303 and hopefully replace on the frames and boom. This is a great way to keep current with all the ways to keep our Boat in shape. Once again thanks. J. R.
Thanks for the input and advice. I am going to wash and not spin dry, 303 and hopefully replace on the frames and boom. This is a great way to keep current with all the ways to keep our Boat in shape. Once again thanks. J. R.
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