What's the best way to clean canvass?

[sharkey964]

Like the title says,whats the best way to clean a canvass hood.Mine was new 4 years ago,so is in good condition,but is covered in bird s**t amongst other things,as the previous owner kept it outside .
Ive tried soapy water,and upholsery cleaner.No Joy!
Thanks in advance.
Marc.

[rodthrutheblock]

If you have a riding stables near you they might know of someone (or have) a washing machine for horse rugs. 
Failing that try a pressure washer but be very gentle as you can leave stripes in it, also if the canvas is going rotten you might makes holes!!
You will need to re-proof with a canvas re-proofer. The thing to use was Mesowax, but I am not sure if it available now.........................Anyone got any ideas?PS. Where are you near ? I have friends at St Leonard (Gers) and family at Auch (Gers).

[BritExpat]

Do you have a ships chandlers or someone who sells marine supplies anywhere near you? Ideally you want a place where they sell products for recreational use, i.e. yachting etc. These guys normally stock the products you need (of which there are several choices). You might want to try people who sell camping/caravanning stuff as well, they use various cleaners as well as water proofers such as Fabsil.

[sharkey964]

Auch,is about 3hrs drive from me.I'm near Perigeuex.
 
Got most of the stains out with liquid detergent(Aeriel).It's just left some faint dark marks which look like mould.Still,a lot better than before. :1smiley:

[Wittsend]

What ever you do, don't use a pressure washer, you'll have streaks from the jet showing for years....
 
Also, it,s not a bad idea to either clean it whilst on the frame, or do it on the ground and then put it wet on the frame and tie it down.
This will stop any tendency for shrinkage. After 50 yrs you'd think most shrinkage would have happended - but best not take the risk.
 
Mould can be killed and got rid of with dilute bleach, about 10% domestos, wet the canvas, then brush on. Use a scrubbing brush to work it into the weave around the mould/stain. Leave for 10 minutes and (this is important) rinse it well, to remove the bleach.
 
Once dry (after a couple of days) you can re-proof with the product of your choice. I find Thompsons works well for me.

[rodthrutheblock]

Quote: What ever you do, don't use a pressure washer, you'll have streaks from the jet showing for years....

That's why I said be very careful as you can leave streaks in it..............I have pressure washed several canvas tops before, and by keeping a good distance away from it (ie several feet) you don't leave stripes, but do remove bird lime. You just need to be sensible and not go mad and blast away from 6 inches.  Never use Household bleach on fabric as it will rot the fibres. If going down this route a specialist fabric bleach should be used. Dylon do one.

[Wittsend]

Never use Household bleach on fabric as it will rot the fibres.

Absolutely, which I why I suggested dilution. There are only so many chemicals that will act as a bleaching agent. A specialist fabric/canvas bleach is likely to be dilute/milder in its action.
 
What ever you do follow the instructions.
 
Same can be said for detergents and cleaners.
Most detergents are packed with salts which will remain in the weave and also lead to rotting.
You'll find a proper soap like Lux or Dreft will be kinder to the canvas.
 
Either way a good rinse in clean water and proper drying will help preserve the life of the canvas.
 
Any doubts, contact the canvas suppliers for their advice as to after care.
 
 :1smiley:

[fulltilt]

I have a slightly different solution to this problem, I tend to keep my newer tilts for summer & change them for winter, however sometimes they stay on winter & summer   
I wait 2-3/4 years and keep them well lashed when wet until they are well shrunk  to fit   :eek:
by then the dressing has run off onto the paintwork and glass.  Then I use the best dressing -  PAINT  ,  in fact cellulose mixed for brushing , olive drab with maximum matting base.
Contrary to popular belief the cellulose does not attack the polyester stitching   ;)
First I do all the tapes and fiddly bits and then fill in with a big brush, the paint is nice and thin so it does not fill the weave.
The tilt is fully weatherproofed for the next 10 years   :als5:   of standing outside, I just hose / scrub off bird poo.  After 10 years the paint has eroded a little so I give it a second coat.
I have one tilt that has been on / off in service now since 1978 so it is difficult to estimate its equiv. of years in full use but it is several -  certainly outlived and overall time / cost better tilt than treated with Mesowax, Febsilicon  ,  bulk Barber dressing etc. etc.   ::)