The issues I see almost daily are related to the thread used to construct the top or window. The polyester thread deteriorates much sooner than the Sunbrella itself. Your best bet is to specify Tenara thread when you replace your bimini and/or windows. This alone will add significant longevity to the life of the top. As far as cleaning goes use a mild detergent. I've used a washing machine (tumble type, rather than agitator) with success as long as the thread is still in good condition. You know this if your dark thread is now white on the top side. Let the top air dry. Follow this with an application of a waterproofing solution like 303 Fabric Protectant. Keith On 9/10/07, Robert Pelton <f-pelton@mail.vjc.edu> wrote: > > Keith, > Is there anything that should be done, or not, to sunbrella to maximize > its life. > Thanks, > Bob > > Dr. Robert P. Pelton > Associate Professor of Education > Villa Julie College > 1525 Greenspring Valley Road > Stevenson, MD 21153 > Phone: 443-334-2737 > Fax: 410-486-3552 > f-pelton@mail.vjc.edu > >>> "Keith McGregor" <keith.kmcgregor@gmail.com> 09/10/07 2:40 PM >>> > I would echo what Marin has written. I own a marine canvas business and > would completely agree that you can get Sunbrella to last for much > longer > than the 5 year warranty that Raven Mills provides. The real key is > using > the Tenara thread instead of UV-resistant polyester thread. Yes, it is > expensive and difficult to work with, but it is really worth the > additional > cost. This is especially true if you boat in the south. > > > Keith > > > On 9/10/07, Faure, Marin <marin.faure@boeing.com> wrote: > > > > >What success have the members had with these or other fabrics. > > Replacement tops are not exactly cheap, I would like to get more than > > five years before replacement. > > > > > > Sunbrella should have a life a lot longer than five years. I realize > > climate has a lot to do with it, but our boat came with a canvas cover > > for just about every piece of external teak plus a two-part cover for > > the entire flying bridge. We've had the boat nine years now and the > > Sunbrella is still doing fine. The flying bridge fabric (the oldest > > covers on the boat) has worn thin in spots and my wife is going to > > repair that with her massive Brother industrial sewing machine (first > > sewing machine I've ever seen that has a lube oil sump and pump). > > > > But while the type and quality of the fabric is important, the thread > > that holds it all together is even more important. Usually what > happens > > is the thread breaks down in UV light, salt, pollution, etc. and lets > > the seams start to come apart. At that point the fabric will begin to > > tear sooner rather than later. > > > > >From everything I've read there is only one thread worth using in an > > outside fabric cover-- be it a bimini, rail cover, transom cover, > dinghy > > cover, etc.-- and that is Tenara thread from GoreTex. The stuff is > > pretty much impervious to everything. It is also very expensive--- > the > > retail price for a single bobbin is close to $300. However there are > > internet sources that sell the same bobbin for about $130. It can be > > tricky to use--- the tension on the sewing machine has to be set just > > right, and the setting is different than other threads (my wife says). > > > > If you're going to have new covers made it would be well worth it to > > make sure the shop uses Tenara thread regardless of the type of fabric > > you settle on. The thread's the key to the longevity of the whole > deal, > > and it's not worth skimping on it. > > > > ______________________________ > > C. Marin Faure > > GB36-403 "La Perouse" > > Bellingham, Washington > > _______________________________________________ > > http://lists.samurai.com/mailman/listinfo/trawlers-and-trawlering > > > > To unsubscribe send email to > > trawlers-and-trawlering-request@lists.samurai.com with the word > > UNSUBSCRIBE and nothing else in the subject or body of the message. > > > > Trawlers & Trawlering and T&T are trademarks of Water World > > Productions. Unauthorized use is prohibited. > _______________________________________________ > http://lists.samurai.com/mailman/listinfo/trawlers-and-trawlering > > To unsubscribe send email to > trawlers-and-trawlering-request@lists.samurai.com with the word > UNSUBSCRIBE and nothing else in the subject or body of the message. > > Trawlers & Trawlering and T&T are trademarks of Water World > Productions. Unauthorized use is prohibited.