Cleaning cockpit cover

Cableguy Greg

My cockpit cover needs washed in the worst way. What do you all do to clean it? The cover is for a 280EC, so putting it in my home washer isn't going to work. Should I take it to a laundry mat or clean it at home with a hose?

rasbury

Clean and re seal?

Willhound

Yep. Me about the same . But I treat mine both spring and fall.

Dream_Inn

You will definitely want to treat it after you are done.  I agree with a scrub and just some kind of soap.  Rinse thoroughly when done.

04FV270riverrat

I need to wash mine also, whenever I use it, it leaves black streaks like crazy on my hull.

zaverin1

Do it If it fits into a commercial washer 
or you can scrub both sides with a brush and once dry apply water repellent.
on my old Rinker I had full canvas for boating season and used mooring cover for winter.
 I keep all of my boats without shrink and under a roof for the winter.
so cover was the way to go. I would pull it in the spring and wash it.

Ian

We lay ours on the driveway too - after washing it down. We use ivory soap and a foam sponge, hose off, flip over, wash the other side and then hose it all off. Generally use patio furniture chais and tables scattered to lay it over to allow to fully dry. Best on a sunny and slightly breezy day.

Cableguy Greg

I will treat it. I usually do that once or twice a summer. I am getting some mold on the underside of it that I would like to get rid of. I am sure it is from putting the cover on when the cover was damp and/or the cockpit was damp. I rarely use my camper top.

mattie

Driveway is best. I use a 5 gal bucket of hot tap water & half a jug of Simple Green. Scrub both sides, hose off well. Dry the cover over whatever is around. Even draped it over my truck before. Treat it with a good waterproofer. Starbrite works fine. Splash the waterproofer on the canvas & use a foam paint roller on a long handle to push the product around.

Ian

For waterproofing I use a roller and tray but do it on the boat. Used to do while spread on drive but found it would soak and be drawn through to driveway. When in free air it soaks in but then stays there in the fabric.

LaRea

Before brushing, take a close look at the brush.  If the bristles are old and frayed, don't use it on canvas.  Get a fresh brush, or you'll end up with tiny fibers stuck all over the canvas.  

Willhound

LaRea said:

Before brushing, take a close look at the brush.  If the bristles are old and frayed, don't use it on canvas.  Get a fresh brush, or you'll end up with tiny fibers stuck all over the canvas.

Boy, did I learn that the hard way last year. Little blue specs all over my black tops. Good tip @LaRea.

Ian

Thats why we use a new foam sponge, holds together, lathers up nice and you get a good covering easier tan a brush. And soft.

randy56

I used a garden sprayer.