Cleaning Bimini Canvas

[Bruce Moore]

We've taken the canvas off for cleaning (thanks seagulls, although I suspect one of the marina's herons may have contributed) for the first time. I've read the cleaning recommendations on the Sunbrella site but would appreciate any tips and/or recommendations from those with more experience (i.e. any at all).

Washing machine settings? Best non-detergent cleaner? Best products for keeping it clean when it's back on the boat?

Thanks in advance.

 

[j&lgray]

We have never used a machine to wash the canvas because it seems to be to big for any machine to handle.

We wash and scrub our canvas by hand. We lay in on the deck flat and use a scrub brush with a mix of Dawn soap and water and rinse thoroughly. We keep the canvas from rubbing against the deck and against itself because friction wear is easy to create and hard to fix. After the rinse, we hang it out to dry. We have had good results with this method. The seagull's presents come out easily, along with the mold and dirt. We only have to do this about once a year.

John

 

[CaptMac]

Same answer as John- I washed the canvas by hand - came out fine.

I also bought the special cleaner for the clear plastic - but haven't tried it yet

Mac

 

[henrym]

Sunbrella® recommends 303 products to clean and restore lost water repellency and stain repellency. I have yet to try it because my Bimini top looks like new. 303 also makes a fabric cleaner.
Henry

"The use of silicone water repellents may void the manufacturer's warranty. Example: Sunbrella®, manufactured by Glen Raven Mills, is well known as the best quality fabric for most outdoor applications. Sunbrella® is used internationally in most commercial awnings, most of the world's fabric automotive convertible tops, and in a high percentage of marine covers, bimini tops and boat enclosures. Sunbrella® is extremely resistant to UV light, but after cleaning or a lengthy period of exposure may require treatment to replenish lost repellency. The use of silicone water repellents is specifically recommended AGAINST by Glen Raven Mills and can void the multi-year factory warranty. The product Glen Raven Mills recommends for treating Sunbrella® is 303 High Tech Fabric Guard, commonly available from most marine mail order catalogs and chain stores."
http://www.303products.com/tech/index.c ... uct_ID=429

For information and test results on 15 water repellents for fabric go to:
http://www.303products.com/powerboatlowres.pdf

 

[Stella Maris]

I have used the 303 cleaning products recommended with great success. We kept our sailboat in the water in Vegas. As you can guess, the intense sun can fry anything within a short period of time. After four years, all of the canvas still looked like new and repelled the rain both times that it rained.......

 

[bluebayou]

For me, cleaning the canvas has been easy. What's worse is the holes in the canvas. Why holes? Well, traveling down the road on the trailer creates problems. The first time I ever trailered the boat, the Bimini bounced out of its perch, braced by one arm, and flopped over the rear end of boat. Fortunately, I stopped to check things out at 30 miles, and my Bimini was spent.
My quick solution on the road, was to drop the Bimini (wrapped in its sleeve) forward to the glass door to the R-25 cabin. Of course, that way, you can't open the door and get in. But for traveling down the freeway, it's safe and secure. Problem is, the canvas chafes again the hinges on the glass door. Hence the holes.
I have hired a seamstress to patch the canvas holes, but the problem remains. How do you drive 1000 miles down the freeway with this Bimini supplied by the factory?? Braced in an upright position, it works its way loose, and flops, spilling screws and bolts and falling apart down the road. Leaned in against the glass door, it chafes a new hole in the canvas. I think we need a re-designed Bimini for the R-25.

 

[Stella Maris]

The Bimini that I designed for Solitude will fold flat to rest on the stern rail. Here it can be tied securely for trailering. The only time we lower it though is if we are going more than 50 miles. It has withstood winds of over 65 mph while anchored.

 

[bluebayou]

Ah, Solitude,
The key, here, is that You designed your Bimini. I opted for the pretty one in the brochures, and it works great, when cruising or in a marina. It's only when you need to drive down the highway, that it is not rugged enough. I will probably end up replacing it with one I design myself, with the help of a canvas specialist. I'll see yours in Bremerton !!
Charles on Blue Bayou

 

[Bruce Moore]

Our Moondance is in the water - we don't trailer - so we don't have the same problem. But those of you with the factory installed bimini can benefit from a lesson I learned (although I'm sure many of you already know about this). I went to the marina, during a gale back in December, to collapse the bimini. I pulled the cotter pin from the port side, and the end cap fell in the drink.

Unexperienced as I am, I didn't know I needed to check those set-screws on a regular basis!

Cheers.