How long will the UV resistance of Sunbrella last?

[Ostinato]

If there is no abrasion or other physical damage to Sunbrella, how long will its UV resistance last? I had one sail maker claim it lasts only 5 or 6 years. Does anyone know?

[admiralslater]

Originally Posted by Ostinato

If there is no abrasion or other physical damage to Sunbrella, how long will its UV resistance last? I had one sail maker claim it lasts only 5 or 6 years. Does anyone know?

My sail cover is 12 years old and the material is going strong. However it does need re stitching as the thread is not UV. The stuff is bullet proof

[Sandero]

UV resistance? What is the question here? How long does this material last in serviceable manner when exposed daily to UV from the sun? I am sure the company has run tests... Depending on the use... mechanical damage / wear might come sooner than UV damage... though they probably are synergistic.

[Stu Jackson]

My personal real-world experience, plus input from my canvas guy just this year indicates that LIGHT colors tend to degrade faster than darker colors. This may sound counter intuitive to many, but it IS true.

I've been getting 8-10 years from lighter colors (like our pearl dodger), and 15+++ years from the standard Pacific blue mainsail cover and other uses around the boat.

As always, keeping it clean and waterproofed will extend the life.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by admiralslater

My sail cover is 12 years old and the material is going strong. However it does need re stitching as the thread is not UV. The stuff is bullet proof

Ditto. We have an equally old bimini going strong which I restiched with UV proof thread.

http://amzn.to/1ZNEP38

I was told that the UV resistance would last the normal lifespan of the cloh in use, basically meaning that the actual cloth willwear out first.

[belizesailor]

Ive got sunbrella aboard that is 10-15 years old and still in serviceable condition. The bits that are 15 years (like my stack pack) are near the end of their service life though.

Water resistance goes much sooner, but there are products you can use to restore that.

[svHyLyte]

One can extend the life of Sunbrella, and restore the water-proof properties, by the use of (click on) 303 Fabric Guard. Absent protection, light colored Sunbrella will fail with 5-6 years as was our experience with our white and blue striped Bimini top. These days we treat it with 303 and fold it up and cover it with a Navy Blue "Boot" cover when it is not needed to assure greater longevity.

FWIW...

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by svHyLyte

One can extend the life of Sunbrella, and restore the water-proof properties, by the use of (click on) 303 Fabric Guard. ...

+1. Great product. Restored water resistance to my leaking like sieve bimini. Now we retreat each season.

[barnakiel]

???

I have some 12 years + old Sunbrella canvas and they look new. 12+ years in full tropical and sub-tropical wx full time.

It seems to last for ever.

b.

[estarzinger]

Mmm . . . . North sails did some tests . . . . Structurally sunbrella will last a long time . . . . BUT after 3 years it no longer blocks uv and allows much of it thru (less than 50% blocked after 3 years) to damage the sail it is suppose to protect.

North recommends you have a light taffeta sewn into the underside of a sunbrella sail cover to block the uv.

I always did that (made my own sail covers) and it does not add much weight or bulk or material cost (dies add some labor).

[Franziska]

Hi, on a side note, has anyone an idea. how well the stuff lasts, which they use to make covers for commercial trucks (most European 38t trucks have them)?

It's bound to last and must be reasonably priced as it is used in huge quantities.

Plus it's watertight.

Thinking of having a stackpack made from it (with a mesh for aeration on the lower end).

Thanks for your thoughts.

[travellerw]

The Sunbrella on my boat made about 10 years in the tropics before it was toast. The UV had made the fabric very weak. You could easily tear it with your hands.

10 years of full tropics is a darn long time though.

[Mikado]

My hunter green sail covers have spent 10 years in the Central Florida sun and are now starting to show their age. The canvas maker used white uv thread which was a mistake. He should have used black which holds up better.

I'm going to give the 303 fabric guard a try and see if I can get a couple more years before I replace.

There is a alternative to Sunbrella on the market called Sur Last made by Glen Raven Inc. My friend is a marine upholstered and he said it lasts as good or better and is about 30% lower cost. Since the material is about half the cost of the finished covers I think it is worth checking into.

Jeff

[travellerw]

Everyone keeps mentioning thread, but I haven't heard anyone mention Tenara yet. All my new covers are sewn with Tenara thread made by Gore (the Gortex people). They gaurantee the thread will outlast the fabic is sewn to. Its not made of natural fibers, but Teflon. Really good stuff, but kinda hard to sew with.

If you are thinking of getting anything new made, I would insist on Tenara thread.

[floottooter]

Originally Posted by Franziska

Hi, on a side note, has anyone an idea. how well the stuff lasts, which they use to make covers for commercial trucks (most European 38t trucks have them)?

It's bound to last and must be reasonably priced as it is used in huge quantities.

Plus it's watertight.

Thinking of having a stackpack made from it (with a mesh for aeration on the lower end).

Thanks for your thoughts.

I am curious about that too. Had a quote to have a bimini made from the stuff and the guy swears by it. Anybody have any knowledge on this?