Cleaning canvas covers advise please....

Sheppy

Sheppy

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My covers are starting to look quite sad, some old seagull mess and now a green gunge seems to be growing quite well in shaded places....
Any ideas on how best to clean the covers without effecting the waterproofing? I'm not a fan of buying some of these expensive cleaners that often don't work anyway, I find there's better 'home grown' solutions out there like water and vinegar etc, but I imagine that might smell a little....
Also, what sort or brush or cloth is best to use so I don't end up damaging the material?
 
Patio Magic diluted works wonders and is cheap. Test a small area first, kills algae and lasts over 12 months. Brush on then hose off.Around £10 to £12 for 2.5ltr. Tescos, Amazon and garden outlets..
 
Jet wash it, guaranteed good result. Doesn't seem to have damaged about 10 covers on boats I've had in the past. Just be careful where and how much you concentrate the pressure. Keep the lance close to get best results but watch out when you are near the stitching.
 
I would be cautious about jet washing. Yes it will clean the cover a treat, but at the cost of the stitching, which in my experience will then need replacing.
Any cleaning will require re proofing to follow, and Fabsil is easy to use and not expensive. You can use soap and water and a brush to clean, but again, you will need to re proof annually.
 
quimby said:
Patio Magic diluted works wonders and is cheap. Test a small area first, kills algae and lasts over 12 months. Brush on then hose off.Around £10 to £12 for 2.5ltr. Tescos, Amazon and garden outlets..
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I agree about Patio Magic but brush onto dry covers having previously washed off bird crud etc and don't wash off afterwards. leave to dry, effects will last longer.

£17.99 inc delivery for 5 litres. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Patio-Litre...=UTF8&colid=9YN84HWPV43N&coliid=IQQD3WRT2R22O
 
Thanks guys, that's the kind of tip I was hoping for. Does this Patio Magic waterproof as well or just clean and remove damp marks and algae?
Also, what sort of brush should I use? I assume a fairly soft brush from say a dust pan set or something a little harder?
I'm on a pontoon without power so a jet wash isn't really an option, but again, thanks, although I did think it might be a little too hard on the covers.
I have used Fabsil on previous covers, so will try that again. To be honest I probably need to get some sections replaced but was hoping to hang on for another season....
 
No but my cover is still waterproof!Like I said if you have mildew it kills the spores and no black spots left. I used about 10% to a gallon of water.
Cheap at Tesco and Amazon.

Sheppy said:
Thanks guys, that's the kind of tip I was hoping for. Does this Patio Magic waterproof as well or just clean and remove damp marks and algae?
Also, what sort of brush should I use? I assume a fairly soft brush from say a dust pan set or something a little harder?
I'm on a pontoon without power so a jet wash isn't really an option, but again, thanks, although I did think it might be a little too hard on the covers.
I have used Fabsil on previous covers, so will try that again. To be honest I probably need to get some sections replaced but was hoping to hang on for another season....
Click to expand...
 
Sheppy said:
Thanks guys, that's the kind of tip I was hoping for. Does this Patio Magic waterproof as well or just clean and remove damp marks and algae?
Also, what sort of brush should I use? I assume a fairly soft brush from say a dust pan set or something a little harder?
I'm on a pontoon without power so a jet wash isn't really an option, but again, thanks, although I did think it might be a little too hard on the covers.
I have used Fabsil on previous covers, so will try that again. To be honest I probably need to get some sections replaced but was hoping to hang on for another season....
Click to expand...
Patio magic will not waterproof the cover. You need Fabsil for that.
 
Sheppy said:
Thanks guys, that's the kind of tip I was hoping for. Does this Patio Magic waterproof as well or just clean and remove damp marks and algae?
Also, what sort of brush should I use? I assume a fairly soft brush from say a dust pan set or something a little harder?
I'm on a pontoon without power so a jet wash isn't really an option, but again, thanks, although I did think it might be a little too hard on the covers.
I have used Fabsil on previous covers, so will try that again. To be honest I probably need to get some sections replaced but was hoping to hang on for another season....
Click to expand...

I use a 6" paste brush, but anything softish will do.
 
I used to get fed up with it all until I discovered that you can get them dry cleaned and a new waterproof coating applied. It is fairly cheap and that is even with the markup put on by the sail loft. Try one sails at Hamble point marina
 
As others have said, Patio magic has worked wonders on my old canvas covers, not tried it on my new canopy. This year and following the advice from JB (Jim) the guy who fitted my new canvas, jet wash at an angle and use a lower power version, so did that and no issues at all, all the stitching was fine and clean again. He also recommended re-proofing with Fabsil GOLD (not the cheaper Fabsil "standard"), it lasts longer.
 
A friend of mine uses soap flakes, with a soft / medium brush. He swears by it - gentle but effective cleaning.

Creates lots of lather. Very low cost.
He usually removes the hood and brushes it on the pontoon or quayside on a warm sunny day.
Then waterproofs with Fabsil.
 
Once again, thanks for the great responses. The only thing now is waiting for a nice dry sunny day - yeah right :D :D
 
I use Algon, cheap and effective, probably much the same as patio magic. Certainly works well on both my teak decks and canvass covers. Spray it on and leave it to work.
 
longjohnsilver said:
I use Algon, cheap and effective, probably much the same as patio magic. Certainly works well on both my teak decks and canvass covers. Spray it on and leave it to work.
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Thanks John, another good tip. Oh, and feel free to show me how good it is :)
I was out last Sunday morning and BM looked in a right sorry state, she really needs some tlc but I just don't seem to be able to match the weather with available time.......me thinks I'll just have to take a few days off work.
 
Sheppy said:
Thanks John, another good tip. Oh, and feel free to show me how good it is :)
I was out last Sunday morning and BM looked in a right sorry state, she really needs some tlc but I just don't seem to be able to match the weather with available time.......me thinks I'll just have to take a few days off work.
Click to expand...

Just employ a valeter to sort it for you - cheap as chips imho;)
 
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