Sunbrella Colors and Fading

[Jack]

It is about time to redo our bimini and dodger. We used "forrest green" for the last ones and got about 5 years before the color began to fade noticably from the Florida sun. I have heard that some colors of sunbrella are much more resistant to fading, than others.

Can anyone speak to this issue? Thanks.

[mahalocd36]

Hi there,

Brighter colors will fade faster, as will any reds. Sunbrella 'brown' actually darkens in the sun though. We are slowly transitioning to toast - that doesn't seem to be affected much.

You can slow the process down with 303 Fabric Guard, which :
(from sailrite's site):

303 Fabric Guard Provides:
Unsurpassed water & oil repellency
Highly recommended for Sunbrella
Superior stain resistance & soil release characteristics
Durable protection lasting up to 3 years
UV Screening to control fading
Will not alter the color, feel, flammability, or breathability of fabric
Resists mildew formation
Environmentally Safe
Fluoropolymer based
No Ozone Depleting Solvents
Non-toxic & odorless when dry

We do that once a season.

Note the this is different from the 303 UV protectorant, which specifically says not to use on Sunbrella.

[s.v. LaVida]

I actually had a fading problem with the sumbrella brown a few years ago. To the companies credit they sent someone out to examine it, take samples and test them.

After testing they replaced "the fabric only" on my boat, which fortunately had all been done at the same time. The cost of redoing the dodger, lee coths and sail cover was mine.

However during the conversation, he told me that the warranty on the fabric would be void if I used any sort of chemical on it.

I told him Sumbrella would make a fortune if they made a color coordinated spray to revitalize their fabric. He said they wouldn't.

So I guess the plan would be to use your sumbrella until the warranty runs out, then spray the heck out of it.

Rit

[Jack]

Melissa,

Thanks for the reply. We actually used the 303 (at 75.00 a gallon) twice a year. I was told that Sunbrella would replace the "fabric only" if we had removed an sent to them. We opted to just let it go for as long as we could. The fabric/stiching is still good, it is just that the color has faded to a grayish green.

We have heard that lighter colors do fade more, but that "toast" and "black" were two of the better colors that would resist fading.

How has you luck been with the toast?

PS: I have also heard from many that "Waterseal" does the same thing as the 303, although it voids the Sunbrella warranty.

[Parfait's Provider]

Toast is the Coast Guard color of Sunbrella. Maybe they have a special formulation? We have patched our old toast bimini with new Sunbrella and you really have to look hard to see a difference in the color. I don't know how old the bimini is, but 10 years in AL and NC is probably about right. We do remove most of the canvas for hurricanes and Winter.

[jerryaxler]

We switched to toast and the fading is not noticable. In addition it is most certainly cooler than the dark shades.

[mahalocd36]

Melissa,
How has you luck been with the toast?

So far so good with the toast. Also good luck with 'walnut brown tweed', which I picked up when I couldn't find brown (before switching to toast). I made winch covers, anchor rode covers, and mast boot covers with that and that's been 4 years and they still look new.

The only thing I don't like with toast is working with it - any creases/bends turn whitish. The color seems to smooth out over time but it's noticeable when it's new. I didn't have that problem when working with brown, walnut brown, mediterranean tweed.
It's hard not to crease it as it's so stiff when it's new. I'm making a new dodger with toast as we speak.

The lighter colors are cooler. One charter boat we were on had navy for the bimini and we roasted. However that seems to hold up - the boat next to ours has a dodger of navy - it's at least 4 years now and it still looks good.

So many color choices - I have their color card - they have 58 colors!

[Bill Sonntag]

I've found that Cadet Grey looks good and if it fades, you basically can't notice it. Dark brown on boats is..........

Bill Sonntag
Surprise

[Ron M.]

Does anyone care to share a good source for buying Sunbrella ? Thanks,
________
Mercedes-Benz G-Class History

[rtbates]

All of Seraph canvas is burgundy sunbrella. Some of it is 5years old some is 1 year old. There is absolutely no visible difference in color. I spary with 303 every 6 months. We get our sunbrella from Sailrite.
If you're doing your own sewing pay particular attention to your thread. Be sure to get the UV protected thread.