WAter Proofing Bimini

A

ajschwab

Member
Member
Joined
Feb 9, 2002
RO Number
7457
Messages
118
We have our Bimini off for the Winter and want to Water Proof it before we put it back on. It fit perfectly when we took it off so if we wash it, let it dry and water proof it will it have shrunk? I think if it did and I wet it real good when I put it back I whould be OK but not sure so any guidance will be apprecaited.
 
Shouldn't shrink much, if did let it sit in sun for a few minutes and will stretch. The best waterproofer I have found is called Aqua tite, I think a lot of canvas places carry it.
 
With an RO # of 468, I'd think you'd know better than to post a competing website. Sorry, but i felt a need to point that out.
 
Anybody have experience with the Marykate product in Les’s link? $29/gallon is a killer price if it works
 
Isn't 303 Fabric Guard still the only one recommended by Sunbrella?
I've used it several times and it works well.
 
303 is what Sunbrella recommends; however, that does not mean that other products that are similiar will not work. I use the Star Brite product and have no complaints. Since I never used 303, I have no idea if its better or worse.

Back on topic. Cleaning the Bimini top by getting it saturated with water and letting it dry may cause it to shrink a little. If your canvas was a tight as a virgin to begin with, then a little shrinkage will make it almost impossible to get all the canvas up and snapper/zippered while it's dry. You may have to get it wet and install it and let it dry while it's snapped in place. After you have it up and dry I would then water proof it.
 
aqua-tite has a new product called aqua-tite green. I like it myslef though sunbrella endorses 303 beacuase its not a silicone based. and silicone can atract dirt.
 
Why not put it back on the boat, then wash it and waterproof it?
 
I'm almost with mixman. Wash it in the NON-detergent of your choice. Put it on wet. Let it dry, Then clean it.

--EDIT ADD--

If there is a pollen problem like VA is having, I would hold off until it subsides.
 
How exactly is posting a link to a site that sells something that is not sold on boatfix a competition? And was it really removed? I have spent lots of $$$ with boatfix.

Oh and how about posting helpful posts instead of moronic coments. Thanks just felt the need to point that out.

RO#468
 
It's not a question of who sells what - it's a question of posting links to commercial sites. As you probably know, we've certainly our share of spam, even with that policy. You've been around long enough to know that.
 
What I have done with my top is take to a laundermat and used woolite. Comes out looking new. I use a lawn sprayer to put on the waterproofing and it works great. I have done it before I put the top on. Just laid it on the driveway and sprayed it on and with the top on the boat. Either way came out great.
 
I washed my canvas parts in my front loading washer. A couple times. They needed some restitching before I washed them and more after I finished. They are pretty old. I restitched them.

I planned to waterproof them in the driveway but they kept blowing around so I reinstalled three of them and used a foam paint roller to apply StarBrite waterproofing.

The fourth couldn't be done on the boat because I didn't want anything dripping on the gauges so I did it in the driveway.
 
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