Cleaning Boat Cover

[Kelsey]

Does anybody have any good ideas on cleaning boat covers? Mine got a bunch of bird sh*** on it this weekend. Can I just throw it in the laundry machine? (not sure the wife is gonna like that)

[maxpower220]

I have taken mine to a high pressure car wash to clean it. I hang it on the wall using the clips for car mats and the poles for propping it up in the boat: works well.

If I were going to use a machine, I think I would go to a laundry mat with one of those industrial sized washers. Either way, you may consider using a waterproofing agent on the cover after you have cleaned it.

[Sled491]

With the boat still on the lift and cover secured, we just spray a little water on it and scrub it with regular push broom. Then just hose it off again. This should work on your trailer as well just need a ladder. The Sparrows crap on my cover soo much sometimes from a distance it looks grey!

[Kelsey]

Sled, do you waterproof it?

Max makes a good point, but trying to waterproof that entire cover sounds like a job. And it puts me back into the same dilemma. How do I do it? I don't want to spray waterproofer all over the cover while on the boat, but where else do I get it to lay just right.

[Sled491]

Kelsey,

I have never water proofed my cover. Mine has not leaked yet, but I did buy 3 adjustable poles to hold it up so no pooling to really get a leak.

[apf4]

Anyone have a good product to use for cover cleaning? Ours has some brown patches from where water has settled... Cheers!

[MJHSupra]

Anyone have a good product to use for cover cleaning? Ours has some brown patches from where water has settled... Cheers!

I cleaned a spot on the driveway and used warm water, simple green, and a soft brush.
Rinsed with a hose. I assume a pressure washer could be used, but I never had a cover that was in bad-shape. I'm not sure about the comment (above) about putting it into a washing machine.

Once dry (propped up to dry), I used some waterproofing - StarBrite and 303 make a good product - you can find that anywhere online. Use a yard pump sprayer.
It's probably $60+ for the 1-gallon container.

Yearly application probably depends on where your boats sits and/or conditions.
On my 2007 every other year worked fine once the cover was starting to get old.
On my 2018, I have not sprayed it yet, but will probably clean and spray before this summer.

[Tommy2slow]

I have been using this product for several years and works well. I leave my boat tied to the dock all summer and find that the cover stays waterproof for about 2 years. The cover is also a deeper black after treatment and looks brand new. It takes me 4 X $14 cans to treat my 20’ Mastercraft with 2 coats (I haven’t had to treat the Moomba yet). Make sure that you are in a well ventilated area when applying, it packs a punch.




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[HFarr]

I haven't used Kiwi on my boat cover, but I have used it on my tents and boots before. Yes, it works very well, and it does have a strong odor when it's wet.

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[MJHSupra]

I agree. Used that on boots and left them outside for a day or two.