Scrub and Stitch: Boat Cover Cleaning and Repair
October 06, 2017
Boat covers and car roofs have a few things in common. They come in a range of colors; they offer protection from the elements; and they seem to be target numero uno for bird poop.
[caption id="attachment_522" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
"Bombs away!"[/caption]
That your boat cover or bimini top will receive unwelcome airborne deliveries from our feathered friends is virtually guaranteed, and that's besides the dead leaves and other crud that blows onto the fabric over the course of a season. Luckily, cleaning and maintaining a boat cover isn't rocket science, though it can be a big job. Always follow your manufacturer's instructions for cleaning your cover, whether it's a bow cover, cockpit cover, or a full boat cover. If you haven't got the instructions anymore, we have some suggestions.
Brush off dirt, leaves, pine needles, and bird droppings as they accumulate on your boat cover. Most dirt will come off with a soft-bristled scrub brush and a stream of water from a washdown or garden hose. When faced with a cruddy cover, it's tempting to reach for the industrial-strength cleaning solution and the power washer, but high-pressure water can wear holes in the material, and powerful detergents wash away UV and water protective fabric treatments. Don't try to cram your boat cover into a washing machine, either - not even the super-sized one at the laundromat. Machine washing a boat cover risks shrinkage.
As with so many other boat maintenance chores, a patient, gentle approach is best. Use lukewarm water and a mild soap; some cover manufacturers recommend Ivory or Dawn dish soap. Treat stains with undiluted soap or a solution of one part borax, one part white vinegar, and two parts water. Soak your cover with soapy water and let it sit for at least fifteen minutes. Scrub gently but thoroughly with a soft brush, and rinse. You might have to repeat your spot treatment if you're stuck with a set-in stain.
Vinyl boat shipping covers and Transhield� shrinkable covers also require a light hand in cleaning. Scrub with soapy water and rinse well. Whatever type of cover or top you're washing, when you've rinsed it well, drape the cover over a clothesline or spread it out to dry thoroughly. If you're not putting the cover back on your boat right away, fold it carefully and store in a dry, ventilated place away from direct sunlight.
Renew your fabric cover's water repellency with Scotch-Gard or another protective spray made for marine fabric. Such products also prevent new stains and soiling from sinking in to the boat cover.
If you prefer to let someone else do the dirty work, take your cover to a professional. Your local boat dealer or awning shop can point you in the right direction, or even do the job for you.
What if, in all this soaping and scrubbing, you find a hole in your boat cover? Though duct tape is useful in many other situations, don't use it to patch a boat cover. It doesn't stand up well to moisture and it leaves behind a sticky residue that's all but impossible to remove. For small holes (pencil eraser-sized or smaller) or straight tears in fabric covers, get some upholstery thread, a thimble, a heavy-duty needle, and stitch it up. Patch larger holes with matching fabric. You can apply Fray Check, or clear nail polish to the patch's edges to prevent fraying; seal the edges of the hole or tear, too, if you like. Cut the patch big enough to cover the hole and sew around the perimeter, either by hand or machine. As with cleaning, if this is a job you'd rather not tackle, call a professional.
For more tips:
Sunbrella
U. S. Navy Administration Manual: Sewing Canvas By Hand
"Bombs away!"[/caption]
That your boat cover or bimini top will receive unwelcome airborne deliveries from our feathered friends is virtually guaranteed, and that's besides the dead leaves and other crud that blows onto the fabric over the course of a season. Luckily, cleaning and maintaining a boat cover isn't rocket science, though it can be a big job. Always follow your manufacturer's instructions for cleaning your cover, whether it's a bow cover, cockpit cover, or a full boat cover. If you haven't got the instructions anymore, we have some suggestions.
Brush off dirt, leaves, pine needles, and bird droppings as they accumulate on your boat cover. Most dirt will come off with a soft-bristled scrub brush and a stream of water from a washdown or garden hose. When faced with a cruddy cover, it's tempting to reach for the industrial-strength cleaning solution and the power washer, but high-pressure water can wear holes in the material, and powerful detergents wash away UV and water protective fabric treatments. Don't try to cram your boat cover into a washing machine, either - not even the super-sized one at the laundromat. Machine washing a boat cover risks shrinkage.
As with so many other boat maintenance chores, a patient, gentle approach is best. Use lukewarm water and a mild soap; some cover manufacturers recommend Ivory or Dawn dish soap. Treat stains with undiluted soap or a solution of one part borax, one part white vinegar, and two parts water. Soak your cover with soapy water and let it sit for at least fifteen minutes. Scrub gently but thoroughly with a soft brush, and rinse. You might have to repeat your spot treatment if you're stuck with a set-in stain.
Vinyl boat shipping covers and Transhield� shrinkable covers also require a light hand in cleaning. Scrub with soapy water and rinse well. Whatever type of cover or top you're washing, when you've rinsed it well, drape the cover over a clothesline or spread it out to dry thoroughly. If you're not putting the cover back on your boat right away, fold it carefully and store in a dry, ventilated place away from direct sunlight.
Renew your fabric cover's water repellency with Scotch-Gard or another protective spray made for marine fabric. Such products also prevent new stains and soiling from sinking in to the boat cover.
If you prefer to let someone else do the dirty work, take your cover to a professional. Your local boat dealer or awning shop can point you in the right direction, or even do the job for you.
What if, in all this soaping and scrubbing, you find a hole in your boat cover? Though duct tape is useful in many other situations, don't use it to patch a boat cover. It doesn't stand up well to moisture and it leaves behind a sticky residue that's all but impossible to remove. For small holes (pencil eraser-sized or smaller) or straight tears in fabric covers, get some upholstery thread, a thimble, a heavy-duty needle, and stitch it up. Patch larger holes with matching fabric. You can apply Fray Check, or clear nail polish to the patch's edges to prevent fraying; seal the edges of the hole or tear, too, if you like. Cut the patch big enough to cover the hole and sew around the perimeter, either by hand or machine. As with cleaning, if this is a job you'd rather not tackle, call a professional.
For more tips:Sunbrella
U. S. Navy Administration Manual: Sewing Canvas By Hand
Featured Photo: Seagull Stopper, Club Bennington at Bennington Marine.
