Cleaning a FILTHY spray hood...

[StellaGirl]

One of the boats I have waiting to clean has a spray hood in desperate need of attention. I am not used to cleaning them as most of the boats I have done dont have them. So whats the best thing to get rid of the thick layer of green covering it?

 

[johnwest]

Warm soapy water, a scrubbing brush and elbow grease.
Keep washing the muck away as you go.

 

[Cantata]

Contrary to advice I've seen on here, I've often used a jetwasher with complete success and no apparent ill-effects to the waterproofing afterwards. Best done with the hood spread out on a firm clean surface.

 

[Guest]

My missus bought Mildew cleaner from B&Q .... we took article back to home, spread out on garden table. Hose and scrubbing brush .... get rid of worst.
Spray with Mildew cleaner liberally - follow instructions ....

Hose off and dry.

Refit to boat. Don't be surprised that it is 2 sizes smaller !! Takes a day or so to stretch out again to former size !!

Oh - nearly forgot ..... if clear 'window' panels are starting to show white spots - replace the panels - they are soon to split and crack .... I know - it happened to me !!

 

[yvonneward]

We put a borax solution onto our sprayhood where it was starting to go green. All the green disappeared and has not come back over the winter. Did the same with our decks. Algae hate borax and it does not harm the boat. You could kill the algae with borax and then wash the residue off with soap and water a day or 2 later. That is what I would do.

 

[StellaGirl]

thank you all...much obliged!

 

[Anonymous]

Put it in a plastic dustbin with Bio Tex (enzyme washing pre-wash powder) overnight to soak then brush gently with a scrubbing brush to get the grot off - most of it should come off very easily, then rinse well. Bio Tex does not have the bleaches you find in normal washing powders. You don't want to use anything with bleach or it will fade the colour.

You may need to re-waterproof the sprayhood if it is classic canvas. Modern 'canvas' is often manufactured with an impervious layer that doesn't require re-proofing. You might find that the stitching comes apart when you wash it - thread falls apart in sunlight and it is nothing to do with the detergent or washing process. If so, you will need to decide whether to re-stitch yourself or use a sailmaker/upholsterer. If you are doing this professionally for someone else then warn them at the outset.

 

[Bejasus]

try Julies patent tongue cleaner. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[StephenSails]

He is right, dont use a jet washer, I blew out the window bit on a certain customers spray hood. Lots of water and soap with elbow oil!

 

[Stemar]

One thing to beware of if it's a coventional canvas with a water repellant proofing. Make sure you use soap and not a detergent. Detergent is almost never rinses out completely and will make it impossible to reproof for ever and ever, amen

I had a nice awning on my caravan. It was completely waterproof until the kids discovered bubble blowing... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif