Care

Select which type of material you would like care instructions for:

Marine Canvas and Boat Tops

Light Cleaning

To keep your Marine Canvas material in great shape, it is recommended to clean small stains and debris as soon as you notice them. It may be tempting to pull out the pressure washer to tackle some stains, but this can actually do more harm than good to your material. Using a soft brush or a dry cloth to remove bird droppings as soon as they are noticed can prevent staining to your fabric. Try to avoid using household detergents and chemical cleaners as they may cause harm to the fabric's coating. If needed, using plain water and damp rag to clean stains is recommended. Don't use too much pressure, as this may cause the debris to be worked into the fabric.

Deep Cleaning

If your canvas has heavy staining that needs a deeper clean, using a mild dish soap like Dawn or a specified canvas cleaner like Starbrite. You should never use a pressure washer on marine canvas, as these are powerful enough to damage the fibers of the fabric. Refer to the cleaning products manufacturer instructions for the recommended cleaning steps. As a general rule of thumb, the fabric should be saturated with water and the cleaning solution worked lightly into the stains using a brush or rag. Let the solution sit for a few minutes to work into the stain and rinse with water. You may need to repeat this a few times to get the results you desire.

Reproofing

Marine fabrics are formulated to last for a very long time, but after some time the coatings will wear off depending on your location and environmental factors. Keeping your canvas clean and stain free will help to prolong the life of your fabric, but it is inevitable that the coatings will wear off over time. When this happens the material will need to be treated and reconditioned or "reproofed." There are specific coatings you can buy like 303 Fabric Guard that can be sprayed onto the fabric. The process may vary between manufacturers, but it is a little more time consuming than deep cleaning. In general, the fabric needs to be freshly cleaned and free of debris, fully dry and out of direct sunlight. A few light coats of the reproofer of your choice is better than one thick coat. Follow the instructions for the specific brand you are using to ensure proper reconditioning.
Marine Vinyl Seating