How far does 303 High Tech Fabric Guard Go?

dacap06 · #1 (**permalink**) 02-12-2011

Hello again, folks. I'm in a quandry (which is somewhat smaller than my dinghy and much less stable so the sooner I get out of it the better).

My mainsail cover was old, dirty, stained, the seams are falling apart, and the zipper was disintegrating. I found a new zipper online and had my local tailor put it in and restitched it for $80 labor (great gal, that one!) -- I washed it and now it looks pretty good. The only thing left is to waterproof it.

I did my homework and want to use 303 High Tech Fabric Guard, but for the life of me I can't find coverage figures, not even on the 303 site! Can someone give me a clue how far this stuff goes, preferably in units my pitiful engineering mind can work with, say square feet per quart?

paulk · #2 (**permalink**) 02-12-2011

It's going to vary so much according to what you're spraying it on that coverage figures will always be wrong. It may cover 200 square meters of a tightly woven synthetic, where nothing is absorbed, and only 20 square meters of dry cotton that soaks up lots. If you paid for a new zipper and then another $80 to have it sewn on, and now have to buy five or six cans (who knows?) of fabric guard so you can end up with a mottled (from the fabric guard) sailcover... you may have been better off going to Omar the tentmaker for a new sailcover in the first place. Perhaps not. Depends how much fabric guard you need. But old fabric is likely to soak up more than new.

dacap06 · #3 (**permalink**) 02-13-2011

I had expected some variability but not that much.

Sadly, Omar the tentmaker does not live near N. VA. I was seeing my size of sailcover selling for around $450 when I looked. The fabric in my old one is in pretty good shape so I looked at repair and renewal instead. So far I have $100 invested in the zipper and labor. Even if I buy a gallon of 303 High Tech Fabric Guard for $100 at West Marine (or may $90 online -- I'm still looking), I'm still saving money.

labatt · #4 (**permalink**) 02-14-2011

Can't give you coverage figures, but I can tell you that we were able to spray our entire dodger/bimini and enclosure pieces with a can, and that was with two coats. And... the stuff really works. Our bimini was really leeching water through prior to the re-waterproofing. It has been two years since we sprayed and we're still dry.

Allanbc · #5 (**permalink**) 02-14-2011

This is what is says on the Amazon.com website:

Product Description
303 Fabric Guard - 303 High Tech Fabric Guard restores lasting water repellence to marine canvas. It stops leaks, protects against soiling and both water and oil-based stains, and resists mildew formation and RV sun damage. Spray on, let dry. Every 16 oz. treats 75-100 sq. ft. of marine canvas. 303 High Tech Fabric Guard is also your best choice for fabric upholstery, carpeting and breathable wet weather gear.

Amazon has a pretty good price if you have Amazon Prime free shipping.

lancelot9898 · #6 (**permalink**) 02-14-2011

On the defender site, they sell a 22 oz spray can of Armada and claim 100 sq ft for sunbrella. You get a larger can of Armada vs the 303. Don't know if there is any difference in quality.

carl762 · #7 (**permalink**) 02-14-2011

Quote:

Amazon has a pretty good price if you have Amazon Prime free shipping

Yup, been using the service since April 2010 and will renew again this year. I've become spoiled with Amazon Prime.

Allanbc · #8 (**permalink**) 02-14-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by carl762

Yup, been using the service since April 2010 and will renew again this year. I've become spoiled with Amazon Prime.

I just ordered shaft zincs for $6 each. Combine that with free shipping an it is a deal.