Marine Vinyl Upholstery Fabric | Boat Canvas, Bimini Top Fabric & More

Shop Marine Upholstery Vinyl Fabric - Wholesale

When you’re searching for marine vinyl fabric online, you will find that DecorativeFabricsDirect.com has a large selection of marine fabric types, finishes and quality brands... all at distributor wholesale prices. There are several important components to a marine fabric that enable the performance needed in a harsh environment.

• Fabric composition - what a marine upholstery fabric is made of determines how well it stands up to heat, water, UV sunlight, sun lotion and regular wear and tear. Most exterior marine upholstery fabric is composed of PVC (faux leather vinyl fabric). For boat covers and tops, popular brands such as Sunbrella have developed high tech manufacturing methods to ensure that their marine-grade canvas fabric maintains it's rich color and remains durable in a wet and sun drenched environment.
• Fabric Weight/Density - the tighter the weave of a fabric, the better it will be at resisting the elements and standing up to wear and tear. Marine canvas fabric is much heavier and considerably more dense than typical fabric used for interior decor and marine upholstery vinyl fabric has the weight of heavy upholstery material but is many times more durable and is water-resistant and UV resistant.
• Light Fastness - “light fastness” is a specification that describes how resistant a fabric is to fading. Marine fabrics are subject to consistent UV sunlight, they are produced to have a high light fastness rating.
• Resistance to Water Damage (Mildew and Mold) - the largest challenge to a marine exterior fabric is to retain it's color and strength of construction while being regularly exposed to moisture. Marine fabric is designed to be resistant to mildew and mold.

Canvas has been the most popular type of marine fabric used in non-upholstery exterior applications. Sunbrella marine canvas is the go to fabric for bimini tops and boat covers. Consumers have a wide selection of marine colors and can be assured of the very finest quality the industry has to offer.

Different Applications for Marine Fabric

“Marine Fabric” is a term that can apply to a many different interior and exterior fabrics used in a marine environment. The vast majority of these fabrics can be found on yachts, motor boats and sailboats.

Below are some of the most common applications for marine fabric:

• Marine Vinyl Upholstery Fabric - this type of marine seating upholstery needs to be both UV and water resistant. It is available in many different colors, grains and styles including pleated. For exterior seat cushions, there is no better choice than a quality marine vinyl upholstery fabric such as those offered by Naugahyde, Omnova and Morbern.
• Boat Canvas - for waterproof covers and bimini tops for boats. At DecorativeFabricsDirect.com you are able to select from Sunbrella Marine Canvas, the very best that the industry has to offer. Even the harshest marine environments are no match for Sunbrella boat top and cover marine canvas fabric. That's because its rich color is an integral part of the fiber and can't be washed away or bleached out by the sun, rain or chlorine. Rest assured your boat canvas cover, boat top fabric and bimini top fabric will look fabulous nautical mile after mile.Because our boat canvas fabric is woven for breathability, it doesn't trap heat and moisture, eliminating mildew. As a result, Sunbrella marine canvas fabric stays fresh and beautiful season after season. In addition to longevity and durability, Sunbrella boat fabric also provides protection from the sun so you can enjoy long hours on the water. Sunbrella Marine fabrics carry the Skin Cancer Foundation's Seal of Recommendation, giving your family and friends the extra assurance they need.
• Marine Seat Underlining - marine underlining is a porous piece of mildew resistant vinyl coated fabric under the seat bottom. It's purpose is to allow water collected in a cushion to escape. It is applied to the bottom of a cushion and the fact that it is porous helps to resist mildew and mold growth.
• Sunbrella Marine Upholstery Fabric - shop Sunbrella Marine upholstery fabric for boat interior upholstery. This fabric is suitable for curtain, bed covering and upholstery that is not subjected to the elements.

Popular Marine Fabric Brands

There are several fabric manufacturers that specialize in marine-grade fabrics, some of the very best are listed below:

• Sunbrella - Sunbrella Marine is the most popular marine canvas fabric available. It is a resilient fabric, highly resistant to mold growth and fading and is available in a large selection of colors.
• Omnova - Omnova is a well respected coated fabric manufacturer that specializes in durable PVC coated fabrics. Their faux leather marine fabrics are utilized in a wide range interior and exterior boat cushion upholstery.
• Morbern - Morbern is a Canada-based manufacturer of PVC coated upholstery fabrics and is an industry leader in the production of marine grade vinyl upholstery fabric in a large selection of colors and grains.
• Naugahyde - Naugahyde is one of the most popular and recognized brands of PVC coated fabric. Shop Decorative Fabrics Direct for distributor wholesale prices on an extensive selection of marine vinyl fabric by the yard.

Marine Vinyl and Marine Canvas FAQs

What is Marine Vinyl?

Marine vinyl is a type of fabric used in marine interior and exterior seating upholstery. It is a synthetic faux leather material made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and is highly durable, UV resistant and water resistant. It is available in a large selection of colors and textures to coordinate with any marine decor.

Where can I buy Marine Vinyl?

The best place to buy marine vinyl is at DecorativeFabricsDirect.com. With a huge selection of the very best brands of marine vinyl upholstery fabric and distributor wholesale pricing by the yard, you are sure to find the right material for your project at a budget friendly price. The selection of premium, high-performance, marine-grade vinyl can be searched by the color of your choice with the convenience of online shopping. Brands include Sunbrella Marine, Naugahyde, Morbern, Omnova and more.

How do you clean Sunbrella Marine Boat Canvas Fabric?

One of the best ways to keep Sunbrella fabrics looking good is to hose fabrics off on a monthly basis with clear water. This helps prevent dirt from becoming deeply embedded in the fabric and eliminates the need for more frequent vigorous cleaning. In most environments, a thorough cleaning will be needed every two to three years.

General or Light Cleaning of Sunbrella Marine Canvas:

• Brush off loose dirt.
• Hose down.
• Prepare a cleaning solution of water and mild soap such as Woolite® or Dawn® dish washing liquid.
• Use a soft bristle brush to clean.
• Allow cleaning solution to soak into the fabric.
• Rinse thoroughly until all soap residue is removed.
• Air dry.

Spot Cleaning:

• Apply a light mist of mild soap and water using a spray bottle.
• Work the solution into the stain by lightly scrubbing the area with a sponge or very soft bristle brush.
• Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
• Blot excess moisture with a clean, soft towel or sponge.
• Wet-vacuum or blot excess water.
• Air dry. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until all soap residue is removed.

For Removable Sunbrella Fabric - Hand Washing:

• Soak fabric in a solution of one fourth cup mild soap per gallon of lukewarm water.
• Use a sponge or a soft bristle brush as necessary.
• Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
• Air dry.

Machine Washing

• Machine wash in cold water. Depending on wash load size, use normal amounts of mild laundry detergent and add 1 cup of bleach. Allow fabric to air dry.

Heavy Cleaning for Stubborn Stains and Mildew

Sunbrella fabrics do not promote mildew growth. However, mildew may grow on dirt and other foreign substances that are not removed from the fabric. To clean stubborn stains:

• Prepare a solution of 1 cup of bleach and one fourth cup mild soap per gallon of water.
• Spray on entire area and allow to soak into the fabric for 15 minutes.
• Remove stain with a sponge, clean towel or very soft bristle brush.
• Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
• Allow fabric to air dry.

How do you clean Naugahyde Marine Vinyl Upholstery Fabric?

For Light Soiling: A solution of 10% mild soap with warm water applied with a soft damp cloth will remove most soiling. If necessary, a solution of liquid cleanser and water can be applied with a soft bristle brush. Wipe away residue with a water-dampened cloth.

For the Most Difficult Stains: Note ! - You should first check with the manufacture for specific stain removal instructions or you should try the method below on an inconspicuous spot before using it on the original stain/soiled spot.

Dampen a soft white cloth with a solution of household bleach (sodium hypochlorite); 10% bleach, 90% water. Rub Gently. Rinse with a water-dampened cloth to remove the bleach concentration. (If necessary, allow a 1:10 diluted bleach solution to puddle on the affected area or apply with a clean, soaked cloth for approximately 30 minutes. Rinse with a water-dampened cloth to remove any remaining bleach concentration.)