How much!?!?

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WilliamUK

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Further to my recent thread about the leaky cover on my Lark, I've been looking for a flexible PVC paint I might use to seal the seams and repair the threadbare parts.

So far all I've been able to find is http://polymarineshop.com/index.php/flexible-paint/flexible-pvc-paint.html
Which at £45 for half a litre is about a third of the price of an entirely new cover!

Does anyone know of something similar, perhaps not from a chandlery or specialist company, that doesn't cost so much for so little?
 
I'd move rapidly away from any attempt at repainting canvas. It will go hard and break up.


How about having a go at making your own. An old sewing machine and 50 squids worth of cloth from Toomers. About 5 hours work.


and fun to see it all finished.
 
sarabande said:
I'd move rapidly away from any attempt at repainting canvas. It will go hard and break up.


How about having a go at making your own. An old sewing machine and 50 squids worth of cloth from Toomers. About 5 hours work.


and fun to see it all finished.
Click to expand...

The only "Toomers" I've been able to find is a garden and livestock shop. Where do you mean?

I've looked for fabric before and with the cost of all the necessaries such as fabric, straps, velcro and the likes it starts getting too close to the price of a bought one for me to fancy risking it. One mistake and it's suddenly a very expensive exercise.
And that's not including the price of a machine I'd be able to sell afterwards at a roughly break-even cost.

I'm an incurable DIYer most of the time though so I'm with you on "fun to see it finished".


Why would painting PVC onto a PVC cover lead to it going hard and breaking up? Not sure how that'd work.
 
I'd agree with the sewing machine suggestion, having bought an old heavy Frister Rossman (car boot sale, £15) a few years ago it has paid for itself many times over. Should be able to get offcuts from a sailmaker cheaply, otherwise pay full price at Hawkehouse or Sailcloth.co.uk
Having said that, I wonder if some sort of rubberised floor paint might be worthwhile as a temporary measure? (suggested without ever having tried it on a flexible material). Someone here may be able to lend the voice of experience.
 
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srp said:
I'd agree with the sewing machine suggestion, having bought an old heavy Frister Rossman a few years ago it has paid for itself many times over.
Having said that, I wonder if some sort of rubberised floor paint might be worthwhile as a temporary measure? (suggested without ever having tried it on a flexible material). Someone here may be able to lend the voice of experience.
Click to expand...

Under normal circumstances I'd only be asking for the best material to use... and maybe what to look for in a sewing machine. Right now, though, I've got to keep costs down and so fixing what I have is the financial first choice. I'm sure it won't have the longevity of a new cover (home made or otherwise) but if it'll keep the boat dry and keep immediate costs down it's good.
 
If cost is paramount, what about making a cover out of polytarp.
Get one approximately the right length and width and cut a slit to go round the mast. You can glue it with Evostik and get plastic eyelets for the lacing.
It won't be a neat or long lasting as a proper cover but cheap as chips.
I often think that trying to re-proof old canvas is throwing good money after bad. It never seems very effective and needs doing every year. I prefer to put the money towards a new cover.
 
If cost is paramount, what about making a cover out of polytarp.
Click to expand...
Woven polytarp, even the heaviest grade, is so short lived it hardly worth the effort.

But I have a cover over my Mirror that I made from PVC (?) pond lining material about 35 years ago. In perfect nick apart from places that have actually been damaged physically ( and they have heavy duty self adhesive tape on them).

Also a cover over my tender made from (1000g ??) damproof membrane. That has been in use for a good few years too.
 
As you have the original cover it should be an easy job to make a new one from the polytarp sheeting, and as suggested previously, Evostik will make a decent job of the seams and edges. I did this for my old Wayfarer and it lasted 2 years; I used the previously suggested brass eyelets and punch to make positions for the ties. You could use both covers for protection but you really need good air circulation beneath,and neither cover will 'breathe'. Remember to reinforce the neck of the cover by doubling it and punch an eyelet on each corner of the 'neck',then a tie through, and lacing through eyes down the forward split halves and bow.; also double up where the shrouds are located and fix eyelets here.
Eyelet kit about £7, and tarp sheet about £6 from a car boot or garden centre.

!000 grade plastic (black polythene) sheet as used for ponds is more durable and possibly available from your local garden or Aquatics centre.

ianat182
 
Have a look on e-bay, I got one for my Laser & a Boom-up for my Solo & both were under 50 squid & have lasted well. The Solo one has two buckles & no clip at the bow so presumeably a reject, but it isn't an issue when the price is right.
 
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