Canvas Care Checklist n Fall/Winter: Thoroughly clean all canvas using a mild detergent and soft bristle brush and allow to dry completely. Apply protectant and store for the winter in a clean, dry location. Store any canvas panels with clear plastics such as Eisenglass or Strataglass flat against each other, and with towels (or another buffer, such as tissue paper or craft paper) sandwiched in between to prevent them contacting each other.
This is a no-no. The pros recommend removing your canvas each winter and using a purpose-built cover or shrink wrap. Snow, ice and extended sun exposure can shorten the lifespan of canvas. First, make sure that you don’t drag any of your plastic panels across any other surfaces if you can avoid it; they scratch easily. But once you’ve carefully put them up, maintenance is just about as straightforward and easy as your canvas… as long as you use the right cleaners and protectants. “The biggest mistake people make when caring for their clear plastic is using window cleaners such as Windex, or other ammonia-based cleaners,” Bores explains. “Those cleaners might do a good job getting the dirt off, but the ammonia reacts with the polymers in the plastic, and that can cause the plastic to cloud up.” Instead of Windex, Bores recommends using a polish/ cleaner specifically designed for clear plastic, such as 210 Plastic Cleaner/Polish or Mequiar’s Plastic Cleaner.
Winter blues It’s not much fun to think about it now, but sometime in October or November, that sad day will come when it’s time to winterize the boat and call it a season. While some folks leave their canvas and clear plastic enclosures up all winter to pull double duty as boat covers, the pros agree that the better move is removing these items and storing them below (or better, at home). Before you pull the canvas and clear plastic panels off your boat, first give all your canvas a good wash. Sunbrella recommends wetting the canvas down, applying a soapy water solution (use the recipe we mentioned above), brushing it in with a soft bristle brush, and then letting it soak for a few minutes before rinsing it off with fresh water. Next, once everything has dried thoroughly (key word here is thoroughly), give it all a shot of protectant (like the 303 Protectant we
photo by gary reich
n Spring Commissioning: Lubricate all snaps, zippers and other fasteners with an appropriate snap and zipper lubricant (available at almost any marine store). You also can use wax (in a pinch). Clean Eisenglass, Starataglass or other clear enclosure plastics with a cleaner/polish designed for clear plastics. Do not use Windex. n Mid-Season: Wash all canvas using a soft bristle brush with a mild, nondetergent soap such as Dreft, Woolite, Dawn or other mild cleaner designed for canvas. Ammonia-based or heavy detergent cleaners are a no-no. n Monthly: Thoroughly rinse all your canvas by spraying it down with clean, fresh water to remove dirt, salt, bird droppings or any other contaminants. Lubricate any stubborn snaps or zippers with an appropriate lube. — G.R.
mentioned earlier in this story). Once that’s done, you’ll want to clean and polish your clear plastics with an appropriate cleaner/polish (remember, no Windex!). Feel free to fold or roll up your canvas as you store it, but rolling it will leave fewer creases to contend with come spring. While many clear plastic enclosure panels can be rolled up (never fold them!), almost all manufacturers recommend storing them flat, with some sort of fabric (such as an old bath towel) placed between each layer, so that the plastic panels do not contact each other. You also can use craft paper (you can get it in rolls at the hardware store) as an alternative. Some plastic panels (such as Strataglass) can’t be rolled at all, because they are too stiff. If you’re in doubt as to what will work best for your particular situation, give a shout to your canvas maker to find out the best route. So there you go: The fully demystified care and feeding of your canvas and clear plastic enclosures. I think what surprised me most on my quest for long-lasting canvas answers was how well these materials hold up with exposure to brutal sun and punishing weather conditions. “Cared for properly, canvas can last 10 to 15 years, even in tropical climes,” Bores maintains. Not a bad return on investment for a little tender loving care. LB
april 2014
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