Concord Carpenter

NeverWet Outdoor Fabric Water Repelling Treatment

By Robert Robillard on Tool and Product Reviews

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NeverWet Outdoor Fabric Water Repelling Treatment – Treating a Patio Umbrella

Patio and pool umbrellas are the quintessential protection from the suns harmful UV rays but usually offer limited protection from the rain.

There has been many a sun shower where my patio umbrella has offered limited protection only to become saturated and start dripping onto out food, magazines or heads!

The folks at Rust-Oleum recently came out with NeverWet Outdoor Fabric to keep outdoor fabrics dry and clean.

What is NeverWet Outdoor Fabric Spray?

Rust-Oleum NeverWet Outdoor Fabric is a 11 ounce, one-step, single spray application superhydrophobic, water repelling treatment for outdoor fabrics. The spray dries clear and protects your outdoor fabrics from moisture damage and covers approximately 20-60 sq. ft. depending on fabric being sprayed.

How It Works?

The spray is silicone free, will not change the feel of treated items and has a completely breathable finish that does not change the appearance of fabrics.

Polymers in the spray formula penetrate the fabric surface and form protective barrier around fabric fibers.

Materials to apply NeverWet to:

□ Outdoor fabric
□ Polyester
□ Cotton
□ Canvas
□ Leather
□ Suede

NeverWet Uses:

□ Boots
□ Hats
□ Gloves
□ Coats
□ Snow pants
□ Outdoor fabric
□ Umbrella
□ Cushions
□ Grill covers
□ Table clothes
□ Backpacks
□ Hunting and camping gear

Applying NeverWet to a Patio Umbrella:

We decided to apply the NeverWet to our patio umbrella. We spend a lot of time under this umbrella and it would be nice to stay dry and keep the mildew from growing on it.

After we applied the NeverWet spray we waited 4 hours and checked the umbrella. It did not change color and the spray had dried crystal clear with no film or residue.

Application of the spray was easy and took less than an hour to do. The hardest part was removing the umbrella to wash it. Once we washed it we put it back on the frame wet and allowed it to dry in the sun.

I decided to spray the umbrella in place since, it seemed the best way to access the entire umbrella. [similar to painting as door on its hinges]

I tilted the umbrella to a 45-degree allow easy access and used a step ladder to access the high spots.

Applying NeverWet Outdoor Fabric Water Repelling Treatment was a super easy, DIY project that you can bang out in an hour or less.

Does It Work?

The day after I applied the NeverWet Outdoor Fabric Water Repelling Treatment it rained all night long.  The next morning the umbrella was dry and there was visible water beaded on top of it.  One shake and all the water rolled off.  [See photos below]

The next day I drenched the umbrella with a hose.  Each time I did the water beaded up and ran off and did not penetrate through the umbrella below.

How long the NeverWet coating lasts is unknown but I’ll be sure to keep tabs on it and update this post a a few weeks and month out.

Skill Level:

Easy, DIY

Materials needed:

4 – 11oz. spray containers [mid-sized umbrella]
1 6-foot step ladder

Time Needed:

1 hour

Application Steps:

1. Machine wash umbrella first
2. Once clean and dry the umbrella is ready to be sprayed
3. Spray in a well ventilated area, cover any surfaces from over-spray
4. Read all instructions
5. Rotate nozzle to on position
6. Test spray to ensure you understand the nozzle spray pattern
7. To spray, pull trigger all way back ad release
8. Spray may darken surfaces – do a test spray in an inconspicuous area and allow to dry.
9. Spray fabric holding bottle 12-16 inches from surface
10. Avoid inhaling spray
11. Coat entire area until wet, don’t over soak or allow spray to puddle
12. Dab bubbles with a clean rag to remove
13. Let dry 24 hours