www.iFourWinns.com

I'm looking for suggestions on cleaning my covers. I was considering putting them in the washing machine (front load) on the gentle cycle with woolite or some other mild detergent. They are not filthy, I just want to clean them before putting 303 on because they are badly in need of waterproofing. The last time I left it out the boat was soaked inside. It'll be in the water for 10 days, so I'd like to keep as much moisture out as I can.

I'll probably hang dry them as opposed to putting them in the dryer.

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-Rob.


Current boat: 2011 Yamaha AR210
Previous boat: 1998 Horizon RX 4.3GL SX

I think I looked this up on the Sunbrella website a while back, I'll check again, but I'm also wondering about machine washing.

I'm not sure that my marina would like me laying it on the dock and scrubbing.

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Terry
Current: 07 Crownline 255 CCR cuddy - 350 Mag MPI/B3 "Casi Cielo"

Previous:97 245 Sundowner 5.7GI/SX

Tow vehicle: 1986 GMC 2500 Camper Special 454/TH400

I wash mine in the washing machine - cold wash, small amount of detergent, scrub off the bird poop first! Then hang outside to dry and 303 them. Done this a few times now and it works fine.

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Alec

2006 Horizon 190
VP 4.3GL/SX, Sunsport

Thanks, no bird poop here. It was rinsed out pretty good over Memorial Day weekend with a ton of rain.

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-Rob.


Current boat: 2011 Yamaha AR210
Previous boat: 1998 Horizon RX 4.3GL SX

I've got one of those scrub brush hose thingy's at Walmart not long ago. Works well for the bird poop and a "quick-cleanup", especially since this is the only way I can get the heavy trailer cover cleaned. If it's sunny and windy out, will dry off very quickly. I do machine-wash the non-trailer covers, as well as the bimini and covers at the end of the season.

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Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.

Not sure how big your covers are, cockpit or mooring, but I have used the commercial large load washers at my local laundromat to wash my cockpit cover. I used a product called Nikwax Tech Wash to clean the cover in the first cycle then ran a second cycle with Nikwax TX.Direct Wash-In to restore waterproofing. It came out looking like brand new which is not bad for a 12 year old cover.

I have used the Nikwax products for years to wash and maintain the waterproofing on my textile motorcycle riding gear and camping gear with excellent results.

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Add more life to your days, not more days to your life.

I just lay mine down on the dock and lightly scrub them with a Dawn/water mixture and then hang them up to dry. They still look good after 10 years.

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Current Boat: 2000 Four Winns 298 Vista
Previous Boat: 2000 Carver 406MY

I used commercial HD washing & drying machines at a local Coin Op with my mooring cover, then 303'd it. The best solution I could find for 303'ing the cover was to put it on the boat and spray it with the 303 spray bottles. I used two quart sized bottles and have a little left over. My hands were tired after all that squeezing - a pump action sprayer would be the better way to go.

On the washing & drying, honestly can't remember what detergent I used other than I did soak the cover in a garbage can with lots of hot water & oxyclean first, let dry, then took to the laundrymat. The 3 seasons of use mooring cover did get much cleaner, but no way does it look like new. Having said that, after applying the 303, water still beads up nicely, and I have yet to get a drop of water in the boat from the hardest downpour - still very happy with the mooring cover!

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

The cover came out perfect from the washing machine. It's only used as a dust cover over the winter and outside for a couple weeks in the summer so the color is still good given it is 12 years old (hard to believe).

I hung it out to dry and with lack of humidity and the wind yesterday, it only took a couple hours.

Tonight is for spraying 303 on and exercising my trigger finger.

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-Rob.


Current boat: 2011 Yamaha AR210
Previous boat: 1998 Horizon RX 4.3GL SX