Florida Bimini & Flex Seal

[CoreyLNorton]

Hello!

Does anyone think it would be a bad idea/ineffective to cover the top side of my Florida bimini with clear flex seal to help prevent rain from soaking through?  I'm guessing my bimini is several years old, and I'm just looking to add a little more protection from light/medium rain when it's raining fairly straight down (I don't have the side panels).  Currently, the rain soaks through after only a few minutes of medium rain.

Thanks!

Corey

[CoreyLNorton]

I should have added this is for use on the Chesapeake Bay.  Thanks.

[Noah]

Try 303 Fabric Guard protectant. It is kinda expensive, but works. I brushed it on the Sunbrella with a cheap chip brush. Better price through Amazon as opposed to West Marine.

[Ron Hill]

Cory : I agree with Noah. I've used the 303 on the Bimini and Dodger for years. Never had a problem with rain leaking thru.  The first thing to go is usually the white zippers and the thread (if it isn't Gortex)!!

A few thoughts

[KWKloeber]

several years old,

That's a relative term.  5, 10, 15?
Sunbrella should be treated every 5 years or so, depending...... 

A strange thought, but what's the reason for not use what's made for it?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0jZ6Ndhk6I


Alternately, I very highly recommend Rustoleum NeverWet (for outdoor fabrics - it comes in different flavors.)
I use it on gloves, ski parkas, etc and it's roll-off-a-duck's-back waterproofing.  I can stick a glove under running water and it never gets wet, water won't even stay ON the fabric - it rolls right off.  I can't say as to the longevity, as I treat the beginning of and during the season (it gets hard use as we need to be out in all kinds of yuck.)  YouTube the stuff, the vids of kids dumping condiments on their clothing is hilarious.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrD09Wcd2OM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9FFf5DmGys

see it on paper
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Izxz1F9VJQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ST-P7E9ONW4

If you want to coat it, my long-ago original dodger was gray canvas outside and gray rubberized underneath.  I believe that was for UV purposes and so the outside could still be treated but driving rain would not soak thry.

this guy is a good one to permalink.  he tests anything and everything
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNDnV4qxK_U

[CoreyLNorton]

Thanks very much for all the feedback!  Much appreciated.

[Phil Spicer]

  I get 303 Fabric Guard at the wal mart at the lake for almost 1/2 the WM price. I say at the lake because our local wal mart
doesn't have much in marine products.