Practical Sailor: Functional Fabrics

[jojo]

Just sayin', 20 years with virtually no special care seems to trump anything available today, painted or not.

[bobbin]

Try pre-shrinking canvas and then applying the requisite coats of paint to deliver a "20 yr." finish and you will quickly learn that it's not as simple as you may think.  Just sayin'    ;)

[jojo]

Found 10oz pre shrunk for 5.99 yard, 60 wide.

http://www.sellfabric.com/servlet/the-636/fabric%2Ccotton%2Ccorduroy%2Csewing%2Capparel%2Cupholstery%2Cbuy/Detail

[jojo]

or this, which they claim naturally repels water:

http://www.phoenixtent.com/canvas.html

[bobbin]

But 40 yrs. ago they didn't have the luxury of off-shore, pennies for an hour workers now, did they?  Times have changed.  100% cotton canvas, pre-shrunk and painted has gone the way of the dinosaur, Jojo.  Sure, you can reinvent the wheel if you wish, but why? there's a better product available... solution dyed acrylic!

I've been making awnings and boat canvas for a lot of years (20+yrs.) 100% cotton canvas can't compete with acrylics.  Its shortcomings and the age of "plastics" set the stage for the rise of synthetics.  I, for one, have no intention of wasting my time "looking back" to reinvent what too many THINK they remember as greater wearability!