[C320-list] Waterproofing Bimini

[T. Scott Thompson]

I've retreated my 1999 bimini (NOT up continuously!) several times with 
good results using the 303 product mentioned in the other reply.  This 
is what Sunbrella recommends.  Warning that it's not cheap and you will 
need a lot of it, especially if you haven't done anything for a while.  
(It's going to soak up a lot of this stuff.)  I imagine any general boat 
maintenance shop would do this for you but it's easy to do yourself.  
Basically here are the steps:

1)  Put up bimini if not already up.  (Cleaning/waterproofing the bimini 
when it is off the boat is difficult.)  Remove loose dirt with a soft 
scrub brush or broom.

2)  Clean with "natural soap" and water.  Woolite works.  Ordinary 
bio-degradable boat soap works too.  Don't use harsh detergents.  I've 
found I need to do a bit of scrubbing if the birds have been busy.  
Rinse thoroughly.

3)  Let dry thoroughly.

4)  Spray on the 303.  Let dry.  (You want to do this on a day with no 
wind, and enough sun to dry things once you are done.)

5)  Test to see if a few drops of water added bead up.  If not, repeat 
steps 3&4.

Scott Thompson
Surprise, 653.

Dennis Harris wrote:

>    After being contiuously up since 2000, my bimini does not shed 
> water well, with water leaking through fabric.  Have any of you 
> re-treated your canvas work to regain it's waterproof 
> characteristics?  If so, what did you use, and how was it applied?  
> Are there commercial companies that do this and what would be typical 
> costs? Thanks.
>
> Dennis Harris C320 #694
>
>
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