I bought a gallon of 303 High Tech Fabric Guard because our bimini was leaking like a window screen. Have to say it's wonderful and does exactly what it is supposed to. The day after I applied it we had rain. All day. Not one single leak. Expensive at around $60 but it covered our dodger, bimini, and the filler between the two with enough left to do the hatch covers. Easy to use, READ THE DIRECTIONS. Keep it off your gelcoat and wood and windows. Did not leak through the canvas as I rolled it on with a paint roller. I have ordered a second gallon and plan to to the cockpit cushion covers after taking them to the laundromat. Do not apply to covers that are on the cushions. No change in color or feel of the canvas.
Review of 303 High Tech Fabric Guard for Sunbrella
- Thread starter Zeus2012
- Start date
To me canvas is canvas so I will do the cushion covers. They were custom made and cover closed cell foam.
Yes I rolled it on with a paint roller. The directions led me to believe it should not be sprayed. Mentioned not pressurizing or atomizing and since the wind never truly stops did not want to contaminate the Bay or meighboring boats.
I did not check for beading but it did not leak.
Yes I rolled it on with a paint roller. The directions led me to believe it should not be sprayed. Mentioned not pressurizing or atomizing and since the wind never truly stops did not want to contaminate the Bay or meighboring boats.
I did not check for beading but it did not leak.
I am assuming it might harm the foam even though it did not actually come through the canvas on the bimini. My cushions have five years of coal dust from the port and salt on them and the directions said apply to clean canvas. I am too lazy to scrub by hand.
After cleaning my interior cushions with the upholstery attachment of a carpet cleaner, I applied the 303. The material, not Sunbrella, was on the open cell foam for both cleaning and the application of the 303. I used a spray bottle as the material was to porous to use a paint brush. Brushing on was not giving good coverage. Any liquid now beads off the cushions and the material feels the same as before the 303.
303 is a fabric guard that is approved for use on Sunbrella. It is used on many other types of fabrics. When applied to car seats it is applied to the material over the foam. It is important to make sure the material and foam is dry before applying.
303 is a fabric guard that is approved for use on Sunbrella. It is used on many other types of fabrics. When applied to car seats it is applied to the material over the foam. It is important to make sure the material and foam is dry before applying.
We roll on ANY (you get what you can get down here) fabric waterproofer onto our Bimini about once a year. They all seem to be about the same, doing exactly what they advertise. We also roll it on with the small rollers. It's much easier to control the quantity going on and the 'overspray', so to speak, with the roller than the sprayer. A brush is just too tedious.
Very good point, Bill.
Very good point, Bill.
Would be interested to see if you don't see increase streaking and staining on your adjacent gelcoat after use of this stuff. I stopped using it after I had deposits show up on my cabin top and cockpit which I assessed was from weathered waterproofing chemicals. After 3 years no annual use I no longer see that kind of staining. Had to compound it off.
I did the gallon container, too, but put it in their spray bottle. It gets tiresome pulling the spray trigger, so I did it in batches. Yes, it can blow away, so keep the sprayer close to the fabric- or wait for a better day. It will get totally used eventually. I found you need to apply it until the fabric turns dark from saturation.
I haven't noticed any of that, but even if I did, I doubt we'd trade a dry cockpit for some esthetics.
Be sure to use one of the 303 spray bottles. The spray mechanism is damaged with regular bottles. Also, VERY IMPORTANT, do not spray or over-spray on any vinyl windows. It does permanent damage to them. Shield the wndows from any over-spray otherwise the vinyl will become less clear and have wavy transparency.
FWIW, I use the StarBrite brand canvas waterproofing product and have found it to be equivalent to the 303.
I bought some 303 in a trigger spray bottle just to do my main sail cover. You know, like a spray bottle of bathroom cleaner. It was sold IN the spray bottle. So, I don't know that you shouldn't spray it. But your point about not blowing all over the boat is well taken. Mine was done in the basement hanging from a clothesline.
I'm not on the boat, so I can't read the instructions on my bottle, but I thought I remembered a specific instruction NOT to overwet the material, but instead use light coverings.
But Zeus
You live on the San Francisco Bay. What a view. You have a Beneteau 43 foot boat. There are folks who would give up a toe nail to have a 30 foot boat. You can find a local to help with dishes... or eat out. Garages just attract clutter. as far a Shower, rig up a sprayer in your cockpit and go to town - Shower on deck. Your in a place where such behavior is considered normal. If you are embarrassed head across the harbor to Berkeley. Maybe a dishwasher will come off the campus and join you in the shower.
Yeah, you are right. Pretty hard to take living here. We do have a separate shower with a plexi door but it only measures 26" square. Hard on the elbows and can't shave my legs because I can't bend over in it. We are in the East Bay so look directly at the SF cityfront. I actually use the showers on shore. Shower on deck? Are you nuts? It's frigid out there! 47 degrees. And the wind is blowing 12!