Pressure washing canvas cockpit enclosure

[clyst]

Hi chaps I notice the cockpit enclosure is showing signs of mould on places so intend to remove it and pressure wash it . Good idea or a no no ?

 

[Scubadoo]

Do that to mine every year, no problems, but you have to reproof it afterwards. Just make sure the pressure washer is at an angle and not too close, if you get it wrong it could damage the stitching. Alternatively use patio magic which will remove all mould within a few days, done this in the past with no discolouring.

 

[aquaholic]

As long as you do it with some care it can be the best way to clean spray hoods/canopies, as mentioned above, a treatment with Fabsil or similar is advised.

 

[Ripster]

+1 for Patio magic (not a fan of pressure washing fabrics) just spray it on and allow it dry in. The green/black or even pink I had once, disappears in about a week. Do mine about 2-3 times a year. I just use one of those hand spray bottles with PM suitably diluted with water.

 

[richardbrennan]

Anyone tried Renovo?

 

[Monique]

White vinegar... wash liberally and let dry. Repeat if necessary.

 

[ip485]

Renovo - yes, and surprisingly very impressed with the results (only because this type of product can be a bit of a gimmick). Really worked well and refreshed the colour and appearance to as new condition and has lasted and shown no signs of washing off. The water proofing equally as good.

I am also not too keen on pressure washing. Care needs to be taken to avoid damaging the fabric. I think you are far better off giving the canvas a good soaking in Patio Magic leaving for a few days and then washing with a brush and soap. Then apply Renovo if you wish and then water proofing. A treatment with Patio Magic a couple of times a year and a wash is all that is then required.

 

[colind3782]

I pressure wash my sprayhood and sail cover every couple of months without any problems.

 

[pvb]

I don't think pressure-washing is a good idea. Using a treatment such as Boracol or Patio Magic is much kinder to the fabric, and has some medium-term preventative effect to deter algae/mould.

 

[Quandary]

Regarding proofing afterwards, some questions.
Most hoods are acrylic canvas these days?
Why do so many acrylic fabric suppliers say on no account to use silicone based proofers? anyone understand the physics (or is it chemistry?)
Is Fabsil silicone based? it certainly sounds like it.
What about fluorocarbons, are there sound reasons not to use them? they seem to work very well on frying pans and we eat off those without obvious harm.
So what is the safest effective proofer? Or is this opposition to silicone just specialists talking nonsense?
I would add that for years I used Fabsil on older acrylic canvas hoods oblivious to any risk and unaware of any consequences.

 

[Quandary]

Been googling my own questions
Apparently acrylic canvas is proofed with fluorocarbon which rejects silicone giving ineffective or patchy re-treatment, If the fluorocarbon is really completely shot then the silicone probably has a better chance. The recommended best re-treatment is a fluorocarbon in a petroleum based carrier but probably because of the sustained Nikwax campaign against fluorocarbons in clothing proofing, the sellers seem really reluctant to say what they are using.
So what I need is a fluorocarbon in petroleum product but so far can not find one, though possibly 303 fabric proof used on car soft tops might be one, if I could establish the components, Amazon etc. do not tell, anyone know? The caravan awning market warns against using silicone proofers but none seem to want to recommend a specific product.

 

[pvb]

So what I need is a fluorocarbon in petroleum product but so far can not find one, though possibly 303 fabric proof used on car soft tops might be one, if I could establish the components, Amazon etc. do not tell, anyone know? .

303 Fabric Guard is a fluorinated copolymer in a petroleum base. See the Safety Data Sheet by going to https://public.sitehawk.com/Search/AdvancedSearch.aspx? and inputting product code 30616 then clicking Search.

 

[Quandary]

303 Fabric Guard is a fluorinated copolymer in a petroleum base. See the Safety Data Sheet by going to https://public.sitehawk.com/Search/AdvancedSearch.aspx? and inputting product code 30616 then clicking Search.

Thanks, that seems to be the stuff, recommended by Sunbrella, pricey at around £30 per litre in a squirty bottle or over £100 a (US?) gallon and you must not let it get on zips or windows. I might try applying with a wee roller to make sure it does not get to the wrong place.
Amazing that I never knew until recently that Fabsil was the wrong thing to be using.

 

[MoodySabre]

I find it easier, particularly on a windy day, to apply Patio Magic with a brush. You can also work into the stitching better. Brilliant stuff on canvas, ropes and deck.

 

[Len Ingalls]

http://www.sunbrella.com/en_us/how/cleaning/marine-tops-covers.php

 

[colind3782]

I don't think pressure-washing is a good idea. Using a treatment such as Boracol or Patio Magic is much kinder to the fabric, and has some medium-term preventative effect to deter algae/mould.

Possibly, but in Spain the sun will damage the canvas a lot quicker than any amount of pressure washing.

 

[Nina Lucia]

Patio Magic, definitely

 

[Slowtack]

Soaked mine in bath using non bio washing powder. Some soft brushing on the heavier stuff. Did the business.

 

[Billjratt]

Do try to get it back on board fitted and stretched before it dries, as shrinkage is possible.