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Full Camper top maintenance
- Seif911
- Captain
- Posts: 233
- Joined: April 11th, 2013, 6:46 am
- Vessel Info: 1977 Carver Mariner 33'
- Location: Sheboygan, WI
- Been thanked: 3 times
Full Camper top maintenance
I just had my full camper top re-stitched. I also had a window or 2 replaced. I have never actually seen it on the boat. It is pretty dirty right now.
So, what would you clean the top with before I put it on? Should I spray waterproofing stuff on it? The last question, the upholstery guy said there is a conditioning spray/lotion that you can put on the clear vinyl to recondition it and clean it. Has anyone ever heard of this spray and where do you buy it or what is it called?
Steve
22' Godfrey Hurricane Fun Deck, Fiberglass hull, 175 HP, Deck boat
24' Chrysler Cruiseliner III (Lonestar), 120 HP, Aluminum Hull, Cabin, 1968
33' Carver Mariner, fiberglass hull, 520 HP, Yacht, 1977
- CYO Admin
- CYO Administrator
- Posts: 418
- Joined: January 30th, 2013, 9:07 am
- Location: Florida
- Has thanked: 269 times
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Re: Full Camper top maintenance
- waybomb
- CYO Moderator
- Posts: 2385
- Joined: February 5th, 2013, 9:24 pm
- Vessel Info: 1995 Boston Whaler Rage15
1987 3697 Carver Mariner
1988 Cougar 46 Kevlar Vee offshore
1969 15' Glasspar / 1967 Johnson Electromatic 85
1996 Boston Whaler Rage 15 - Location: Saint Joseph,Mi
- Has thanked: 49 times
- Been thanked: 389 times
Re: Full Camper top maintenance
If the Sunbrella is not too old or damaged, a good cleaning generally seals it up pretty good. If it is old or sun damaged, a sealer will have to be used.
Take all the Sunbrella That doesn't have vinyl in it to a laundromat with the very big washers. A bottle of Woolite. Cold water. Wash the pieces, and immediately drive back to your boat and snap it in place while still wet. If you wait too long after washing to snap it all on, you will have a heck of a time doing so because the fabric will shrink.
As for the vinyl, everybody has personal preferences. I use a product called "Plexus". Aircraft owners and motorcycle people use it on their clear plastic. I find it works very well on vinyl. I've heard 303 works well too, but I have no reason to change.
Once the plastic has turned brownish, it's over. You may get it it to last a little longer, but it's over. If it's the original vinyl in the panel, you can probably sew a new piece of vinyl over the old one, and once sewn in, carefully take a razor blade and cut the old one out. That way, the shape of the panel stays the same.
If you need to replace snaps, I would highly recommend spending the money and buy a Press-n-snap tool. Not cheap, about 100 bucks at Prefect Fit, but what a difference from using those cheap snap tools sold at boating stores. Or I could swing down and help you replace them with my snap tool! I just need to know a week ahead of time because the snap tool is at my place in Michigan.
Fred
1969 Glaspar Avalon /1969 Johnson Electromatic 85
1987 Carver Mariner
1988 Cougar Kevlar 46' with triple blown 572 ci
1995 Boston Whaler Rage
Past - 1988 2807, 1989 4207 Aft
- Seif911
- Captain
- Posts: 233
- Joined: April 11th, 2013, 6:46 am
- Vessel Info: 1977 Carver Mariner 33'
- Location: Sheboygan, WI
- Been thanked: 3 times
Re: Full Camper top maintenance
Steve
22' Godfrey Hurricane Fun Deck, Fiberglass hull, 175 HP, Deck boat
24' Chrysler Cruiseliner III (Lonestar), 120 HP, Aluminum Hull, Cabin, 1968
33' Carver Mariner, fiberglass hull, 520 HP, Yacht, 1977
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