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Author Topic:   Applying fabric guard to a mooring cover

Frank O posted 09-25-2011 10:31 AM ET (US)
I have a Sunbrella mooring cover on my 21' Outrage that's in need of a thorough cleaning. I thought I'd remove it from the boat and wash it at home using Ivory Snow or Woolite in a large trash bin I use for cleaning dive equipment.
I understand that Sunbrella recommends applying a product called 303 Fabric Guard to restore the water-repellant qualities of the fabric. I've read all of the CW threads I could find on this topic, but am wondering about exactly how to apply it.
303 Products' website says to apply the liquid in a "thin, even coat." It adds that a 15-ounce bottle will cover 50 square feet. It comes in a pump spray bottle. I've never found pump sprayers to apply an even coat.
My mooring cover is probably something on the order of 180 square feet. The website notes that for intermittent bulk application, "[O]ne of the most cost effective means of applying bulk 303 HTFG is with a simple garden sprayer equipped with a flat fan tip. These are inexpensive and available at hardware stores."
Have any of you applied fabric guard to a boat cover of this size? Is it worth buying a garden sprayer? Trying to treat my cover with a pump sprayer seems like it would be tedious and wouldn't result in a very even coat.

wezie posted 09-25-2011 11:03 AM ET (US)
A small garden sprayer might help. With the price of 303, you do not want to waste any.
Even with the hand sprayers, consider multiple light coats for better coverage. No wind and a mask.
It is a very good product.
contender posted 09-25-2011 11:04 AM ET (US)
I would think the 303 fabric guard would come in a spray bottle/can from the factory. I also would not be worried about an even thin coat, This is not rocket science and If you apply it taking your time I'm sure you will have good results. Something is better than nothing. I do not think a garden sprayer gives a even spray as well, it also depends on the viscosity of the fluid. If you want an even spray you need to have some kind of container that has a compressor back up, like a paint spray gun, to do your job....good luck
Blackduck posted 09-26-2011 09:41 AM ET (US)
You will need 2 gallons to make it sort of waterproof.
fishgutz posted 09-26-2011 10:32 AM ET (US)
I used a garden sprayer filled with Thompson's water seal to treat a large canvas camping tent and a canvas cover for a 14 foot aluminum boat. Several thin layers worked great. I had the regular tip, not the flat spray tip. Make sure as you spray that you never get any shiny/wet spots. That means you're putting too much on. When I was completely done I had to get a new tip as the water seal seamed to mess up the tip. No biggy. Also don't do it on your lawn. Most of those products, if they don't outright kill the grass will make the grass waterproof and it will die in a few days. Experience.
Jefecinco posted 09-26-2011 07:31 PM ET (US)
Recommend you use the 303 with Sunbrella. It is not canvas. You understand correctly, Sunbrella's manufacturer recommends 303 for the fabric.
Butch
macfam posted 09-26-2011 07:46 PM ET (US)
Here's what works for me:
Make sure your top is as clean as you can get it.
I find white vinegar diluted 50/50 with water is a great cleaner to get off bird droppings and other crud. Then rinse thoroughly and let dry.
I use two step ladders, and span them with nailed 2x4's top make a "bridge".
Then I hang the top over the 2x4's, and drape front and rear over the ladders.
Adjust the top to expose the maximum area, some folds are inevitable.
Use a tank sprayer to "mist" a light coat of "303".
Let dry....then re-apply.
If possible. let dry and repeat again.
This will work very well for at least 1-3 seasons, depending upon your location and use.
Water beads up and runs off beautifully, and crud cleans off easily if you getr to it fairly quickly.
I've found NOTHING that works as well as "303".
Rinse your tank sprayer IMMEDIATELY with a good detergent and water. I use "Purple Power" or "Simple Green".
andygere posted 09-26-2011 07:46 PM ET (US)
A one gallon garden spray will work fine. Adjust the output to give you a fine mist and gently saturate the fabric. I do mine by putting the cover on the boat, and using a portable step ladder to work my way around. Be sure to do it when there is absolutely no wind our you will wind up wasting a lot of expensive treatment chemical. A gallon should be enough to give you a single application.
L H G posted 09-26-2011 11:28 PM ET (US)
The original Mills sunbrell mooring cover on my 25 Outrage is 22 years old now, and to keep it truly waterproof, it needs to be treated once a year. This boat is stored outdoors 365 days a year when it's not in use.
As needed, I scrub the cover with Downy Flakes and a long handled brush. I lay it out on the driveway, and scrub down both sides, rinsing thoroughly with the hose. In my case, the inside is a bigger problem, as it gets mold on it.
Then let it dry.
For waterproofing, 303 is a little pricy, but is an excellent product. I buy Starbrite's fabric waterproofing in gallon jugs (now about $45/gallon) and pour it into a good quality generic spray bottle. I usually lay it out on the grass, and apply TWO coats to the exterior side. This will make the cover totally waterproof for about a year's exposure outdoors. Then once a year, if cleaning is not necessary, I use Andy's method, and apply another coat while cover is on the boat. For my 25, it easily uses a gallon for each application.
I also use this Starbrite product to waterproof my running canvas. It works very well, and no leaks.
RMS posted 09-27-2011 08:45 AM ET (US)
I go through this drill every 2 years or so and as a result have spoken to 303's technical guy on more than one occasion. Apply the 303 on a hot sunny day. You want it to dry quickly. A heavy soaking is not recommended. Bob
divtruk posted 09-29-2011 03:02 PM ET (US)
Get yourself a really large plastic paint drop cloth. One that is big enough to cover the entire boat and maybe even the trailer. Cover your boat with the drop cloth then put the canvas/sunbrella cover back on the boat. Now you can wash/treat it without and risk of getting waterproofing all over the interior of your boat.

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Author	Topic: Applying fabric guard to a mooring cover
Frank O	posted 09-25-2011 10:31 AM ET (US) I have a Sunbrella mooring cover on my 21' Outrage that's in need of a thorough cleaning. I thought I'd remove it from the boat and wash it at home using Ivory Snow or Woolite in a large trash bin I use for cleaning dive equipment. I understand that Sunbrella recommends applying a product called 303 Fabric Guard to restore the water-repellant qualities of the fabric. I've read all of the CW threads I could find on this topic, but am wondering about exactly how to apply it. 303 Products' website says to apply the liquid in a "thin, even coat." It adds that a 15-ounce bottle will cover 50 square feet. It comes in a pump spray bottle. I've never found pump sprayers to apply an even coat. My mooring cover is probably something on the order of 180 square feet. The website notes that for intermittent bulk application, "[O]ne of the most cost effective means of applying bulk 303 HTFG is with a simple garden sprayer equipped with a flat fan tip. These are inexpensive and available at hardware stores." Have any of you applied fabric guard to a boat cover of this size? Is it worth buying a garden sprayer? Trying to treat my cover with a pump sprayer seems like it would be tedious and wouldn't result in a very even coat.
wezie	posted 09-25-2011 11:03 AM ET (US) A small garden sprayer might help. With the price of 303, you do not want to waste any. Even with the hand sprayers, consider multiple light coats for better coverage. No wind and a mask. It is a very good product.
contender	posted 09-25-2011 11:04 AM ET (US) I would think the 303 fabric guard would come in a spray bottle/can from the factory. I also would not be worried about an even thin coat, This is not rocket science and If you apply it taking your time I'm sure you will have good results. Something is better than nothing. I do not think a garden sprayer gives a even spray as well, it also depends on the viscosity of the fluid. If you want an even spray you need to have some kind of container that has a compressor back up, like a paint spray gun, to do your job....good luck
Blackduck	posted 09-26-2011 09:41 AM ET (US) You will need 2 gallons to make it sort of waterproof.
fishgutz	posted 09-26-2011 10:32 AM ET (US) I used a garden sprayer filled with Thompson's water seal to treat a large canvas camping tent and a canvas cover for a 14 foot aluminum boat. Several thin layers worked great. I had the regular tip, not the flat spray tip. Make sure as you spray that you never get any shiny/wet spots. That means you're putting too much on. When I was completely done I had to get a new tip as the water seal seamed to mess up the tip. No biggy. Also don't do it on your lawn. Most of those products, if they don't outright kill the grass will make the grass waterproof and it will die in a few days. Experience.
Jefecinco	posted 09-26-2011 07:31 PM ET (US) Recommend you use the 303 with Sunbrella. It is not canvas. You understand correctly, Sunbrella's manufacturer recommends 303 for the fabric. Butch
macfam	posted 09-26-2011 07:46 PM ET (US) Here's what works for me: Make sure your top is as clean as you can get it. I find white vinegar diluted 50/50 with water is a great cleaner to get off bird droppings and other crud. Then rinse thoroughly and let dry. I use two step ladders, and span them with nailed 2x4's top make a "bridge". Then I hang the top over the 2x4's, and drape front and rear over the ladders. Adjust the top to expose the maximum area, some folds are inevitable. Use a tank sprayer to "mist" a light coat of "303". Let dry....then re-apply. If possible. let dry and repeat again. This will work very well for at least 1-3 seasons, depending upon your location and use. Water beads up and runs off beautifully, and crud cleans off easily if you getr to it fairly quickly. I've found NOTHING that works as well as "303". Rinse your tank sprayer IMMEDIATELY with a good detergent and water. I use "Purple Power" or "Simple Green".
andygere	posted 09-26-2011 07:46 PM ET (US) A one gallon garden spray will work fine. Adjust the output to give you a fine mist and gently saturate the fabric. I do mine by putting the cover on the boat, and using a portable step ladder to work my way around. Be sure to do it when there is absolutely no wind our you will wind up wasting a lot of expensive treatment chemical. A gallon should be enough to give you a single application.
L H G	posted 09-26-2011 11:28 PM ET (US) The original Mills sunbrell mooring cover on my 25 Outrage is 22 years old now, and to keep it truly waterproof, it needs to be treated once a year. This boat is stored outdoors 365 days a year when it's not in use. As needed, I scrub the cover with Downy Flakes and a long handled brush. I lay it out on the driveway, and scrub down both sides, rinsing thoroughly with the hose. In my case, the inside is a bigger problem, as it gets mold on it. Then let it dry. For waterproofing, 303 is a little pricy, but is an excellent product. I buy Starbrite's fabric waterproofing in gallon jugs (now about $45/gallon) and pour it into a good quality generic spray bottle. I usually lay it out on the grass, and apply TWO coats to the exterior side. This will make the cover totally waterproof for about a year's exposure outdoors. Then once a year, if cleaning is not necessary, I use Andy's method, and apply another coat while cover is on the boat. For my 25, it easily uses a gallon for each application. I also use this Starbrite product to waterproof my running canvas. It works very well, and no leaks.
RMS	posted 09-27-2011 08:45 AM ET (US) I go through this drill every 2 years or so and as a result have spoken to 303's technical guy on more than one occasion. Apply the 303 on a hot sunny day. You want it to dry quickly. A heavy soaking is not recommended. Bob
divtruk	posted 09-29-2011 03:02 PM ET (US) Get yourself a really large plastic paint drop cloth. One that is big enough to cover the entire boat and maybe even the trailer. Cover your boat with the drop cloth then put the canvas/sunbrella cover back on the boat. Now you can wash/treat it without and risk of getting waterproofing all over the interior of your boat.