Options for waterproofing Sumbrella Fabric

[lake of the woods]

Sumbrella recommends using 303 Fabric Guard to return sumbrella fabric to a water repellant state. This stuff works but is very expensive. What is it made out of "gold"? It sells for $1 an ounce in Canada. Are there any water repellent treatments for Sumbrella fabric (Bimini Top) that are as effective but less expensive?

Any chemists out there have some suggestions?

Mark
Lake of the Woods
1989 40 DC

 

[SEVEN]

Get a few boaters to split a gallon. It's only 50 cents an ounce then. It does work.

 

[Boatsb]

Sumbrella recommends using 303 Fabric Guard to return sumbrella fabric to a water repellant state. This stuff works but is very expensive. What is it made out of "gold"? It sells for $1 an ounce in Canada. Are there any water repellent treatments for Sumbrella fabric (Bimini Top) that are as effective but less expensive?

Any chemists out there have some suggestions?

Mark
Lake of the Woods
1989 40 DC

Kwityurbichin.

If you spend $100 to extend the life of the fabric a year or 2 you save how much?.

New fabric is far more expensive.

Theres no reason to cry over $100. Some peoplease burn that much fuel (or more) in an hour.

It's not the cost of the chemicals anymore. It's the distribution, insurance, advertising and packaging that make a 16 Oz bottle $16.

And don't forget the free health care up there too.


My son would say " such a first world problem"

 

[krush]

Did I just read a thread on a hatteras forum complaining about spending $16?

 

[lake of the woods]

Hmmmm,

Nothing wrong with looking at less expensive but equally effective alternatives whether it be for barnacle busting, fuel deals, flooring, parts, marinas, repair yards, paint, etc. It all adds up over time. Boating is not a cheep endeavor and we all look for advice on where to go for good work / product at a reasonable price. I think a buck an ounce is pretty rich for a water repellent chemical (most liquor, oil, and other chemicals cost a lot less). I coated my fly bridge top and curtains with 303 fabric guard two years ago and used a 148 oz jug ($140 plus shipping and taxes). My top started leaking this fall so I need to treat it again. I was just asking if there were any other equally effective and less expensive options.

Thank you for your help,

Mark
Lake of the Woods
1989 40 DC

 

[krush]

Does it really require that much liquid to coat it? I thought one just sprays a fine mist on the fabric.

Maybe scotch-guard will work?

 

[lake of the woods]

I applied the product according to the instructions. I have a fairly large area to cover including the edges of all side curtains. Over-spray is a problem as is loss into the air (applied in a well-ventilated area). I spray Fabric Guard on fabric until damp, overlapping in a crisscross pattern and that used up an entire 128 oz bottle. The fabric is in good shape as it only gets exposed about five months a year. Unfortunately it started leaking around many of the seams. It must be due to the tropical monsoons we get in northern Canada. The rest of the time the boat is covered with affordable and effective haystack tarps. Only the best for my baby!

I will read up on Scotch Guard and see if it holds up well in outdoor applications.

I was really wondering if 303 Fabric Guard was something that could be made up by combining chemicals that are readily available to the consumer as is done with some other products.

Thanks,

Mark
Lake of the Woods

 

[DCMY #92]

Years ago (in the 80's and early 90's) Sunbrella recommended Scotch Guard. Then, I think based on the very helpful tree-hugger driven changes in environmental regulations, Scotch Guard changed their formula and Sunbrella quit recommending it.

 

[bobk]

snip>>Unfortunately it started leaking around many of the seams. It must be due to the tropical monsoons we get in northern Canada. The rest of the time the boat is covered with affordable and effective haystack tarps. Only the best for my baby!



Thanks,

Mark
Lake of the Woods

Ok, so maybe is a thread problem. Years back there was a product that could be applied to the underside of the seams to seal these and it worked well.

Bobk

 

[Scarlett]

I think it is Starbright that makes a spray on waterproofing for Sunbrella, we have used it for years with good results. I know that some people swear that Thompsons water seal also works. John

 

[doc g]

The starbright stuff is silicone based . I would not use it as there literally no way to remove it if it runs off. You will never paint or caulk that area again. I would look carefully and be sure not to use ANY silicone based product.......Pat

 

[Scarlett]

I agree on the silicon comment, but we remove our canvas and spray it off the boat and it works just fine that way.

 

[brico]

Here in Pacific North West we get our share of rain, except this year as we had snow and freezing temps last 45 days but it is raining again tanks God. I hate snow.

Many years back I remember noticing that on my driveway I used to get a lot of green slimy stuff accumulating during the winter months and constant rain except four spots where the tires of my car would be when I used to wash it outside garage and finally apply tire 'look wet' spray. I figured out it must be this stuff that would impregnate into the concrete and small pebbles that would protect it for the full season (5-6 months) of rain and mold/moss etc. I have tried it on my walkway around the new house and it works better than the concrete sealer that I buy in HD and it turns out cheaper and longer lasting solution. I will be trying it on a piece of canvas to see how well it protects it and that it does not damage it or cause the colour to change. if proven working, that is what I'll be using in the future. For any similar product canvas has to be removed and it should not be sprayed on fibreglass or other surface, just canvas as it may prove to be too slippery. At $25 a yard (60" wide) Sunbrella + canvas shop expenses it is worthwhile spending money to protect it and make last as long as possible. Anything that can prolong its life and water repellency is worth the money.

 

[carolinacoast]

and when it is time to replace:

Use Stamoid instead. None of that type of maintenance lasts a long time and is repairable. Sunbrella used to be a lot less expensive than stamoid.
The negative to it is that it does not breathe or therefore leak. For a bimini or dinghy cover that is fabulous.

 

[ronparise]

Sumbrella recommends using 303 Fabric Guard to return sumbrella fabric to a water repellant state. This stuff works but is very expensive. What is it made out of "gold"? It sells for $1 an ounce in Canada. Are there any water repellent treatments for Sumbrella fabric (Bimini Top) that are as effective but less expensive?

Any chemists out there have some suggestions?

Mark
Lake of the Woods
1989 40 DC

a dollar an ounce seems cheap to me ... of course, I just bought ink for my ink jet printer ... Whats that stuff, about $50 an ounce?

 

[doc g]

yes . I removed the canvas before I treated it and the first few times it rained after that it bled some of it's silicone out on my deck which would never hold paint after. I even scrubbed it with a Comet and water paste after trying every solvent known to man , used an epoxy undercoat before painting it. I will never use that Starbrite stuff again....Pat

 

[lake of the woods]

Thank you to everyone who replied. I will avoid any product with silicone. I will see if I can find 303 on line for a good price. The Canadian $ is not doing so well at this time so life is a b***h.

Cheers,

Mark
lake of the Woods

 

[SEVEN]

One last comment on this. Check out the cost of finger nail polish. 10 to 15 dollars a 1/4 ounce and it lasts a week. What a racket.