...cleaning a Sunbrella mooring cover?

Just Sold · 07-04-2013, 11:31 AM

After reading the posts here I downloaded Sunbrella's cleaning PDF. We have had the boat for 2 years but we have not cleaned the mooring cover and I do not think the previous owners did. the boat is 22 years old but the cover is not. I used the recommended soap and bleach combo.
First I washed the mooring cover at the local Laundromat in their largest washer (60#). Today I have washed it 3 times on the driveway using my long handle nylon scrub brush on both sides. Lots of scrubbing and got it clean with lots of extra effort. Now I am waiting for the waterproofing to arrived on Tuesday. Then I will apply 2 coats each side and hopefully it will look good. Will let you know.

Phantom · 07-08-2013, 02:39 PM

Laundromat LARGE Washing Machine
Add Tide
Air Dry
Treat with Scotch Guard Water repellant

We do this annually !!

Just Sold · 07-08-2013, 04:27 PM

I finished waterproofing our mooring cover yesterday. The cover is for a 23' x 8.5' boat and it took 1 gallon using a pump sprayer. Overall I was satisfied with the cleaning (not every stain came out) and especially the waterproofing. I used Starbrite waterproofing from Overtons w/free shipping. Will not have the cover on for a few weeks as I am using the enclosure canvas right now.

Chaos · 07-08-2013, 05:37 PM

I use a paint roller on my canvas and cockpit cover. It keeps the overspray down and I think I actually use less. I did all my canvas pcs and a 10 x 10 gazebo top with less than a gallon. I also use the Starbrite product.

LIforrelaxin · 07-08-2013, 07:33 PM

I have done this several times now... and tried various methods. From my experience this is what works best....

Machine wash with mild detergent.... I would never use any amount of bleach... I find that the mildew washes out with just the mild detergent...

I recommend only using 303 Fabric Treatment to treat the canvas..... I have tried other products like Starbrite Fabric Treatment and been less then thrilled with the results.... I found black staining after a summer of use, when I treated my canvas with the starbrite product. Admittedly all the staining washed out, but I have never experienced this when using the 303 formulation.

I will be taking my mooring cover to the laundry Mat later this summer and buying a gallon of 303 to treat it... It might be 10 dollars more then the starbrite product but my experience shows me that it is worth it....

07-04-2013, 11:31 AM	#1
Just Sold Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Suncook, NH, but at The Lake at Heart Posts: 2,615 Thanks: 1,083 Thanked 434 Times in 210 Posts	After reading the posts here I downloaded Sunbrella's cleaning PDF. We have had the boat for 2 years but we have not cleaned the mooring cover and I do not think the previous owners did. the boat is 22 years old but the cover is not. I used the recommended soap and bleach combo. First I washed the mooring cover at the local Laundromat in their largest washer (60#). Today I have washed it 3 times on the driveway using my long handle nylon scrub brush on both sides. Lots of scrubbing and got it clean with lots of extra effort. Now I am waiting for the waterproofing to arrived on Tuesday. Then I will apply 2 coats each side and hopefully it will look good. Will let you know. __________________ Just Sold At the lake the stress of daily life just melts away. Pro Re Nata Last edited by Just Sold; 07-05-2013 at 07:48 AM.

07-08-2013, 02:39 PM	#2
Phantom Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Berlin, Ma / Gilford Posts: 1,934 Thanks: 450 Thanked 605 Times in 341 Posts	Laundromat LARGE Washing Machine Add Tide Air Dry Treat with Scotch Guard Water repellant We do this annually !! __________________ *A bad day on the Big Lake (although I've never had one) - Still beats a day at the office!!*

07-08-2013, 04:27 PM	#3
Just Sold Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Suncook, NH, but at The Lake at Heart Posts: 2,615 Thanks: 1,083 Thanked 434 Times in 210 Posts	I finished waterproofing our mooring cover yesterday. The cover is for a 23' x 8.5' boat and it took 1 gallon using a pump sprayer. Overall I was satisfied with the cleaning (not every stain came out) and especially the waterproofing. I used Starbrite waterproofing from Overtons w/free shipping. Will not have the cover on for a few weeks as I am using the enclosure canvas right now. __________________ Just Sold At the lake the stress of daily life just melts away. Pro Re Nata

07-08-2013, 05:37 PM	#4
Chaos Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Danville, NH and West Alton Marina Posts: 134 Thanks: 111 Thanked 32 Times in 20 Posts	Just Sold I use a paint roller on my canvas and cockpit cover. It keeps the overspray down and I think I actually use less. I did all my canvas pcs and a 10 x 10 gazebo top with less than a gallon. I also use the Starbrite product.

07-08-2013, 07:33 PM	#5
LIforrelaxin Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Texas, Lake Ray Hubbard and NH, Long Island Winnipesaukee Posts: 2,884 Thanks: 1,038 Thanked 893 Times in 525 Posts	I have done this several times now... and tried various methods. From my experience this is what works best.... Machine wash with mild detergent.... I would never use any amount of bleach... I find that the mildew washes out with just the mild detergent... I recommend only using 303 Fabric Treatment to treat the canvas..... I have tried other products like Starbrite Fabric Treatment and been less then thrilled with the results.... I found black staining after a summer of use, when I treated my canvas with the starbrite product. Admittedly all the staining washed out, but I have never experienced this when using the 303 formulation. I will be taking my mooring cover to the laundry Mat later this summer and buying a gallon of 303 to treat it... It might be 10 dollars more then the starbrite product but my experience shows me that it is worth it.... __________________ Life is about how much time you can spend relaxing... I do it on an island that isn't really an island.....