With spring around the corner it will soon be time for us to clean and waterproof the sunbrella top on the boat we've recently purchased. The top is tan and has some mildew. Any advice on how to clean it and waterproof it? Someone locally told me to use Thompson's Water Sealer on it to waterproof it but I can't believe this is really a good idea. Thanks in advance for any help. Mike Coble "TwoCan"

Get it straight from the horse's mouth: http://www.sunbrella.com/usa/. Click on "questions" on the left side, then "cleaning instructions" under "can Sunbrella be dry cleaned"? The answer to that last part is no. You should scrub gently with a mild soap, dry, then re-waterproof. Don't use Thompsons... They recommend 303 waterproofing, which is teflon based. Be sure to use the 303 for canvas, NOT for fiberglass, two different products. http://www.303products.com/techinfo/outdoor_fabrics1.htm That all being said, if the fabric is over 5 years old, skip the 303 and use a silicone based waterproofing like Starbrite's. M2MC@aol.com wrote: > > With spring around the corner it will soon be time for us to clean and > waterproof the sunbrella top on the boat we've recently purchased. The top > is tan and has some mildew. Any advice on how to clean it and waterproof it? <snip> -- Keith __ "The reason grandparents and grandchildren get along so well is that they have a common enemy." - Sam Levinson

Here is a source from a canvas shop in our area: http://www.pamlico-nc.com/canvas.htm M2MC@aol.com wrote: > > With spring around the corner it will soon be time for us to clean and > waterproof the sunbrella top on the boat we've recently purchased. The top > is tan and has some mildew. Any advice on how to clean it and waterproof it? <snip>