Cleaning Inside Of Sunbrella Convertible Top

[propuckstopper]

We are proud new owners of a 2004 Glastron GS249 Cruiser. The Sunbrella top has some blackish mildew/mold on the inside.

I have the right chemicals to clean it, according to Sunbrella and 303 products.

However, should I clean the inside of the convertible top with it still attached to the boat? Or should I remove it and clean it on the floor? I like the idea of cleaning it attached to the boat as it is "taut" and would be easy to gently scrub. However, I am worried about the rinse water entering the gauges and controls.

Now, I would hope that these gauges and controls are pretty much waterproof, but I am really unsure.

Please give me your opinions.

Thanks!

 

[The Great Escape II]

Re: Cleaning Inside Of Sunbrella Convertible Top

Go to Sunbrella's website and download the cleaning instructions. You can remove it and put it in a laundry mat wash machine following their instructions. Do not use the dryer. Once dry retreat with 303.

 

[propuckstopper]

Re: Cleaning Inside Of Sunbrella Convertible Top

Go to Sunbrella's website and download the cleaning instructions. You can remove it and put it in a laundry mat wash machine following their instructions. Do not use the dryer. Once dry retreat with 303.

Thanks for your quick reply. I did read these instructions on Sunbrella's web site, but they left me somewhat confused. The Sunbrella fabric I have is heavily attached to plastic windows. I can't imagine these plastic windows not getting folded, jostled, and permanently damaged even in a big commercial machine.

Have you tried this yourself and have you had good results? Not being a cynic, I just don't want to bugger this thing up. I have no idea what this top and windows cost to replace, but they look expensive.

Please advise. Thanks again!

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Cleaning Inside Of Sunbrella Convertible Top

Don't put the eisenglass in a machine.

Leave the top up. Cover the dash with a beach towel. Fine mist of water & clean with a soft bristled brush. Rinse. Get off the majority of the water with towels/chamois. Allow the rest to air dry with air circulation (don't button it up tight while wet or it will mildew again). Don't worry too much about gauges. They are marine rated and meant to be able to get wet.

 

[propuckstopper]

Re: Cleaning Inside Of Sunbrella Convertible Top

Don't put the eisenglass in a machine.

Leave the top up. Cover the dash with a beach towel. Fine mist of water & clean with a soft bristled brush. Rinse. Get off the majority of the water with towels/chamois. Allow the rest to air dry with air circulation (don't button it up tight while wet or it will mildew again). Don't worry too much about gauges. They are marine rated and meant to be able to get wet.

Thanks Fireman431. That is what I kind of expected. We will cover the dash and gauges as you recommend. Although I wasn't sure, I kind of expected that these gauges are designed to take _some_ water, although we will do our best to see they get no water at all during this process.

We are going to do a very light scrubbing with a gentle brush as per Sunbrella's recommendations. I will then put a small space heater in the boat to keep the temperature inside the helm steady at 75 degrees for a few days. After the top is fully dry on the inside, I will go on to the outside of the top and clean the same way. When the inside and outside is fully dry, I will do the 303 Fabric Guard treatment on the outside only as per the 303 web site.

Just realized something, hence the reason for my edit. I am in Canada and the boat is currently in heated storage. However, the heat in the building is regulated at about the 50 degree fahrenheit mark, so it is not very warm in the building. This is the reason why I have suggested the space heater in the helm area in order to let the heat rise upwards to dry the Sunbrella convertible top.

Thanks for the help. I felt it was kind of a dumb question, but I just wanted to make darn sure.

Take it easy.

 

[captain zac]

Re: Cleaning Inside Of Sunbrella Convertible Top

I do not think that heat is the problem
You just need to have good air circulation to let it dry out

also I use a color fast bleach
the kind that is safe for colored cloths

I just mix a spray bottle to the strength that I need and I do not have to worry about getting the bleech on other things in the boat
but I still try to cover everything that I can

Harry

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Cleaning Inside Of Sunbrella Convertible Top

You don't need the heat, just air curculation. It should be dry in less than 12 hours.

 

[propuckstopper]

Re: Cleaning Inside Of Sunbrella Convertible Top

Just to let everyone know, we completed cleaning of the Sunbrella top and it came out absolutely beautiful. We used the Sunbrella recommended one gallon water/eight ounces bleach/two ounces Woolite mixture.

The top looks brand new inside. Now, we need to do the outside the same.

Following cleaning of the outside of the top, I was going to let it dry then treat it with 303 Fabric Guard. Fortunately, however, I called 303 Products about the application of the Fabric Guard in the 50 degree fahrenheit temperature where the boat is now stored. The very nice gentleman I spoke to said DO NOT apply 303 Fabric Guard in these temperatures, even if you have a heat source inside the boat.

He said that his 303 Fabric Guard absolutely loves warmer temperatures, low humidity, and lots of sun. He said that even if I put the heater inside the boat and got the Sunbrella fabric to 75 degrees, the 303 would not cure properly due to the colder outside air.

In other words, just for the information of all here, when using 303 Fabric Guard, the hotter, sunnier, and less humid it is the better. Being in Canada, I am going to wait for a sunny, dry, 75 degree day before I go near the Sunbrella with the Fabric Guard.

Thanks for everyone's help here. It is a great place for a new boater like me to learn.

Take it easy.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Cleaning Inside Of Sunbrella Convertible Top

Thanks for the update. Glad it's working out for you.

 

[pvmtsux]

Re: Cleaning Inside Of Sunbrella Convertible Top

...also I use a color fast bleach
the kind that is safe for colored cloths

I just mix a spray bottle to the strength that I need and I do not have to worry about getting the bleech on other things in the boat
but I still try to cover everything that I can

Harry

The VERY BEST mold and mildew cleaner is a 50/50 mix of simple green and bleach (Clorox). If using on colors use Clorox Color Safe! Make sure you rinse REALLY well!

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Cleaning Inside Of Sunbrella Convertible Top

The VERY BEST mold and mildew cleaner is a 50/50 mix of simple green and bleach (Clorox). If using on colors use Clorox Color Safe! Make sure you rinse REALLY well!

DO NOT use Simple Green on white canvas!! Voice of hard experience...

 

[pvmtsux]

Re: Cleaning Inside Of Sunbrella Convertible Top

Why not. I've used it plenty of times with no problems. The bleach bleaches out the "green" in the Simple Green. Hence the 50/50 mix.