Cleaning and waterproofing canvas cover.

[AllanD]

Suggestions please as how to clean and remove mould from canvas stern cover on my semi-independent narrowboat.

[Ray T]

I use Milton steralising fluid brushed on with an old washing up brush, wash off then allow to dry, followed by Renovo Fabric Hood Waterproofer.

 

http://www.vertar.com/renovo/renovo-hood-ultraproofer/

 

If using Milton wear old clothes as it can stain some fabrics.

Edited August 20, 2016 by Ray T

[STIG]

Fabsil,whatever you use be prepared for hard work

[cuthound]

Having tried other methods with limited success, I used Renovo Cleaner, followed by Renovo Colourant and Renovo Waterproofer. Cost around £45 to do, but excellent and long lasting results.

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Renovo-Convertible-Cleaner-Complete-Millaissolutions/dp/B01347Y5P6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1471775787&sr=8-4&keywords=renovo

 

I see its gone up a bit now, since I bought it.

[haggis]

I was told that Wet and Forget worked well so I applied it to the catch cover when we finished our last trip. Time will tell if it works

Haggis

[Naughty Cal]

The trick is not to let them get mouldy in the first instance.

 

We wash ours each year with a mild Stardrops solution and soft brush. Then once they are dried we apply Fabsil.

 

We have a lot of canopy to do so it is a good days work if we get warm weather to dry the canopies quickly. If not it runs into two days.

 

This keeps the hoods mould free and looking like new even though they are now five years old.

[WotEver]

The trick is not to let them get mouldy in the first instance.

 

We wash ours each year with a mild Stardrops solution and soft brush. Then once they are dried we apply Fabsil.

 

We have a lot of canopy to do so it is a good days work if we get warm weather to dry the canopies quickly. If not it runs into two days.

 

This keeps the hoods mould free and looking like new even though they are now five years old.

 

Same we do with the cabriolet hood on our car, except that I treat that at least 4 times a year..

[Naughty Cal]

We have found that once a year is adequate for the hoods. Did them at the beginning of this month which will see them through the winter months.

[peterboat]

 

Same we do with the cabriolet hood on our car, except that I treat that at least 4 times a year..

What car do you have? So I can avoid buying one!! I do ours once a year with fabsil works fine on both cars and boat

[Naughty Cal]

What car do you have? So I can avoid buying one!! I do ours once a year with fabsil works fine on both cars and boat

I was thinking that.

 

We use half of a 5 litre tin of Fabsil doing our hoods once!

[Cheshire cat]

That's a bit harsh.

 

It might be about where the car is kept. If it has to be parked under trees or in close proximity to anywhere harbouring green algae that would explain the need. I have a car with a hood that has never had any treatment but it is garaged 90% of the time.

[WotEver]

What car do you have?

 

Jag XKR which regularly enters concours competitions - we're at Windsor Castle in a couple of weeks.

It might be about where the car is kept. If it has to be parked under trees or in close proximity to anywhere harbouring green algae that would explain the need. I have a car with a hood that has never had any treatment but it is garaged 90% of the time.

 

It is indeed kept under (or at least very close to) trees and is washed regularly. Because the car is often shown, whenever I detail it the hood always gets a good clean as well which will wash out the treatment if I don't keep on top of it. As it is, it looks like new.

 

Each to their own. I can easily take 2 days washing, rinsing, paint correcting, polishing, waxing etc. Next door neighbour prefers to use a car wash which is fine too - it's his car.

[Naughty Cal]

Why not invest in a decent car cover to keep it clean?

[WotEver]

Why not invest in a decent car cover to keep it clean?

 

Because it's a daily driver.

[Naughty Cal]

And?

[WotEver]

It's pointless talking to you... AND, it's driven every day - to work, to the shops, to visit friends and relatives... when would it be under the cover?

[Naughty Cal]

When it is parked near the trees.

[peterboat]

 

Jag XKR which regularly enters concours competitions - we're at Windsor Castle in a couple of weeks.

 

It is indeed kept under (or at least very close to) trees and is washed regularly. Because the car is often shown, whenever I detail it the hood always gets a good clean as well which will wash out the treatment if I don't keep on top of it. As it is, it looks like new.

 

Each to their own. I can easily take 2 days washing, rinsing, paint correcting, polishing, waxing etc. Next door neighbour prefers to use a car wash which is fine too - it's his car.

Alloy bodied nice car and a high quality hood and yes scrubbing it does remove all the waterproofing as I have re waterproofed plenty of customers for the same reason. You can get those little hood covers for it, all it takes is the wrong bird crapping on it and you are in a world of pain!!

I used to own Rotherham Jag center so I do have experience of that pain it wouldnt scrub out and renvo didnt help either.

Enjoy it as they wont be making any more XKs

[WotEver]

Enjoy it as they wont be making any more XKs

Indeed

 

Considered an F-Type but we were getting rid of a sports car anyway and wanted a GT. Not intending to get rid of it any time soon, that's for sure.

[Naughty Cal]

Alloy bodied nice car and a high quality hood and yes scrubbing it does remove all the waterproofing as I have re waterproofed plenty of customers for the same reason. You can get those little hood covers for it, all it takes is the wrong bird crapping on it and you are in a world of pain!!

I used to own Rotherham Jag center so I do have experience of that pain it wouldnt scrub out and renvo didnt help either.

Enjoy it as they wont be making any more XKs

Indeed. A decent car cover takes seconds to fit and remove.

 

To get the Sierra out we have to removed security post from the drive, remove spare car out of the drive, turn off garage alarm, unlock the garage (three locks), remove full car cover, remove disc lock, unchain car from the garage floor (front and rear, two locks), get car out, relock garage, put spare car back in the drive, refit security post.

 

Doesn't stop us using it. The two of us have it down to a five minute process. The car cover is the easy bit!

[WotEver]

You can get those little hood covers for it...

Are there any you'd recommend? I've seen some that strap under the body (we'd never use it) and some which tear at the first sign of wind. If there is one that takes just a couple of minutes to fit and remove (like bungee straps to the wheel arches) then we'd consider one I think. If it doesn't go on and off quickly then it'd be more trouble than it's worth. "I'm just popping down to the shop... oh, wait..."

[Naughty Cal]

We have one of these (Prestige +):

 

http://www.specialisedcovers.com/car-covers

 

Not the cheapest by any means but tailored to the car making it a perfect fit. Literally takes 30 seconds to take off and a minute or so to refit.

 

Not sure if they make hood covers only.