Q.Do not to use on "synthetic suede". Why Not?
Q.How do I apply 303 High Tech Fabric Guard ™ Correctly?
Q.How do I apply 303 HTFG in the Wind?
Q.What is the difference between silicone fabric treatment
and fabric protectors?
Question: The Label on the 303 Fabric Guard warns
not to use it on "synthetic suede". Why Not?
Answer
303 Fabric Guard imparts enduring water repellency to all natural leathers -
upholstery, clothing and footwear (including deerskin and suede). 303 Fabric
Guard protects against soiling & staining as well as helps the leather be
water resistant.
303 Fabric Guard should not be used on synthetic suede, not because of the product
itself, but because of the carrier, Odorless Mineral Spirits (OMS), a mild solvent.
As a general rule, even mild solvents should not be applied to rubbers &
plastics. Synthetic suede is a plastic
Question: How do I apply
303 High Tech Fabric Guard ™ Correctly?
Answer
Here are some special tricks to applying 303 High Tech Fabric Guard.
• Make sure the surface you are treating is clean.
• Make sure the surface you are treating is dry.
Do not over spray! Saturation is not necessary. The surface needs to be slightly
damp but not soaked. The polymer 303 uses in it’s Fabric Guard helps the
product go down deep into the fabric. There is no need to treat both sides of
the surface. The top side is preferred.
Maintenance is essential. You can lightly mist the surface every 6 months to
check the water repellency. Friction will wear away product more quickly leaving
the fabric unprotected. If this is the case…such areas can be spot treated
to renew repellency.
Question: How do I apply 303 HTFG in the
Wind?
Answer:
The quickest and easiest way to handle this is to employ a flat piece of cardboard.
If you're right handed hold the cardboard in your left hand. Hold it just upwind
of where you're spraying. The cardboard blocks the wind, you don't waste product
and you achieve expected coverage rates.
The cardboard trick is also handy to protect surrounding areas from over-spray.
For example, use the cardboard around the edge of the convertible top while
retreating. This minimizes or eliminates over-spray onto glass, chrome, etc.
(Immediately wipe up any over-spray from adjacent surfaces with a dry, absorbent
cloth).
Question: What is the difference between silicone
'water repellent' fabric treatment products and 'fabric protectors'?
Answer:
Silicone water repellent fabric treatments are inexpensive products common in
the RV & Marine industry where they are sold to "waterproof" fabric
covers, bimini tops and boat enclosures.
1) While silicone water repellents have good though relatively short-lived water
repellency, they have the following negative aspects: 1) Silicone treated fabrics
soil more readily than untreated fabrics. 2) When soiled, silicone treated fabrics
are much more difficult to clean than untreated fabrics. 3) Silicone treated
fabrics have zero resistance to oil based staining agents such as skin oils,
sun tan lotions, smoke and emissions from barbecues, jet engines, cars and boats.
4) Silicone water repellents cause oil based stains to bond almost indelibly
to treated fabrics.
2) True fabric protectors also provide water repellency. But in contrast to
silicone treatments, a true fabric protector will cause the treated fabric to
resist soiling, will make the fabric easier to clean when it becomes soiled
and will resist both water and oil based stains. Though even the lowest grade
of fabric protector will typically out-perform any silicone water repellent,
silicone products are extremely inexpensive, very common and extensively used
by the uninformed.
3) Manufacturers Warranties: The use of silicone water repellents my void the
manufacturer's warranty. Example: Sunbrella®, manufactured by Glen Raven
Mills, is well known as the best quality fabric for most outdoor applications.
Sunbrella® is used internationally in most commercial awnings, most of the
world's fabric automotive convertible tops, and in a high percentage of marine
covers, bimini tops and boat enclosures. Sunbrella® is extremely resistant
to UV light, but after cleaning or a lengthy period of exposure may require
treatment to replenish lost repellency. The use of silicone water repellents
is specifically recommended AGAINST by Glen Raven Mills and can void the multi-year
factory warranty. The product Glen Raven Mills recommends for treating Sunbrella®
is 303 High Tech Fabric Guard, commonly available from most marine mail order
catalogs and chain stores.
