British Columbia


 Read Past Articles...


Canvas: Maintaining the Finished Product-Part IV
by Shawn Wall of Ship Shape Canvas

In the last few issues we talked about maintaining stainless steel, canvas fabrics and windows. In this issue, we will talk about getting extra mileage out of the canvas.
Still to come: upholstery.

     These days everyone is using their credit cards to pay for everything under the sun, from groceries and gas to vacation packages and business trips. One of the big incentives credit card companies use is racking up Air Miles for every dollar you spend, even offering specials like double miles months to get you even more motivated. You may not have known that there is also an extra mileage plan in the canvas business. It works a little differently than the airlines but the benefits boil down to the same thing-money saved! Of course the best way to get extra mileage out of your canvas is to maintain it properly from the start, but remembering a few easy tips along the way can also help you squeak out a few more years.

      Chafing can seriously shorten the life of your canvas, and whether they are brand new or old, all materials can chafe under certain conditions. Chafing is caused when the material rubs against something else (lines, etc.). That seems fairly obvious, but potential chafing hazards can be pretty tough to spot. Remember, as conditions change, such as wind and weather or perhaps the way your boat is tied up, your canvas will change position too. It doesn't take much change to cause things to begin to chafe, and once they start, things can go downhill pretty quickly. Good canvas workers will do their best to look for potential chafing problems when they do the estimate and make suggestions to combat these problems. Canvas that fits well has the least potential for chafing. Loose-fitting canvas can flap around in the wind and cause chafing on itself or other pieces of canvas. Another problem is putting two canvas covers on top of each other. Even the slightest movement of the boat can cause them to rub together and before you know it, you have a tear in the fabric. Allowing a little space between the covers will prevent the chafing problem and allow the covers to breathe. Proper ventilation between covers will cut down on mildew growth. Check for signs of chafing regularly and catch problems before they become more expensive to repair, or worse, have to be remade.

Of course the best way to get extra mileage out of your canvas is to maintain it properly from the start, but remembering a few easy tips along the way can also help you squeak out a few more years.

     Diligent canvas workers study repairs that come in and try to improve old ways of doing things, and one of the most common repairs are zippers. In the past, zippers haven't really kept up with the technology that we've seen in materials. The common zipper is not UV-resistant and doesn't hold up well to direct sunlight. Zippers tend to get full of saltwater and become corroded, making it very difficult to unzip them after time. This frustrates boat owners, who in turn will yank and pull on the zippers, which causes even more damage to the teeth and threads. Rinsing your zippers periodically with freshwater and lubricating them will help. "Snap-N-Zipper" lubricant has UV-resistant properties that will help zippers last longer, and the lubrication will make things easier for you. Good decisions when you purchase your canvas will be appreciated when the canvas begins to age. Opting for zipper flaps will protect common zippers from the elements, but a better solution might be a fairly new product on the market called the Riri Décor UV zipper. Mike Erickson of Canvas Designers Inc. in Riviera Beach, Florida, worked with Riri in the developmental and testing stages of this specialized zipper and believes in it enough to use it on all of his canvas products.

      He says: "My philosophy about the materials I use in my products is that I buy only the best. The Riri Décor UV zipper is seven to 10 times more UV-resistant than common zippers and in my environment that is a must! It also has better finger pulls and is a much stronger zipper. Riri has done a fine job of meeting the industry's tough requirements and the 'zipper problem' is finally solved."

Check for signs of chafing regularly and catch problems before they become more expensive to repair, or worse, have to be remade.

      Another problem in our industry is that if a high-quality thread was not used when the original piece was made, it will begin to show signs of aging and have to eventually be restitched. Most people will unknowingly wait until it is too late. Threads should be watched, and when caught early will probably only be a minor repair bill. Waiting too long could mean the piece will have to be completely remade. If your canvas gets to the point that it falls apart, getting it back together in the right shape is almost impossible and very costly. Faded thread and missing stitches is a good indicator that your canvas needs to be restitched. Cleaning the canvas before you bring it in for repairs is not just a courtesy it is a necessity! Dirt really gums up the sewing machines and some companies refuse to work on dirty canvas. Those who do agree to work on dirty canvas will probably charge you for the time it takes to stop and clean gummed-up machines.

      Boats are a lot like houses in that it pays to stay on top of your projects. Eventually it will be time for new canvas again and the whole canvas process will start over again, beginning with the estimate. Getting new canvas can be just as exciting as getting a new boat; in fact, new canvas can often make your old boat look new! By the same token, old or unkempt canvas can make a boat look worse. My last and ultimate canvas tip is to avoid long waiting lists in the summer and start your canvas projects (new or repairs) in the winter so they'll be ready for summer!