Cordura vs. Sunbrella ?

Steve Sanford

Steve Sanford

Well-known member
I notice lots of guys use Cordura (a nylon) for their canvas work. I have been using Sunbrella Marine (a polyester) for my covers and dodgers, etc. for many years. Is there a particular advantage to using Cordura?

If so, is there a particular thread-count (1000 denier?)? Preferred color ?

What's a good source?

Thanks for your thoughts,

SJS
 
Steve,

I used 500 denier Cordura myself for my dodger/blind material when I completed my BB3 8-9 years ago. The material has faded and the sun has weakened the fabric. I think the reason it is so popular is the variety of camo patterns that it comes in not necessarily for it's long term integrity. Certainly 1000 denier would have held up better - though it will be stiffer.

If you look at tent manufacturers or commercial canvas shops, Sunbrella is one of the most popular materials. I think that when I have to redo my dodger I'll take a serious look at what is available in Sunbrella materials.
 
I bought 1000 denier cordura when I made my dodger. I still have a bunch left, but I am not impressed. It has a waterproof coating on the back that is failing quickly. It is rather stiff which causes wear as the folds. I painted mine when installed new. This past summer, I applied some shoegoo underneath where I could see light through, where the coating was failing, and then slapped some paint over again on top. I am sure I will get a few more years and then will look for another material. This off season, I will have mom sew me up a motor cover with grassing straps that I can leave on and still run the motor.

So to your question Steve, if you have a suggestion on the Sunbrella Marine... as long as I can paint it, not sure it matters what color (within reason!).
 
Dave & Pete~

For my Sneakbox (which gets thatched up) I use Sunbrella in their Tan color - it's actually very close to Cordgrass in the fall. If it's visible when I'm actually gunning, I do paint it with thinned oil duckboat paint. My cockpit cover is unpainted - because I use it only during transport and storage. When I built White-Wing, I used grey canvas but still painted the cowling and lap canvas to match the hull.

I have been buying from either Mainland Sails or SailRite. Both have been fine. Interestingly, the stuff I bought recently was advertised at ~ $22/yard but was actually available for about $16. I have little experience with Amazon but just noticed prices in the $7/yard range.

Widths are usually 46" or 60". I decide based on project needs.

BTW: Buying pre-wound bobbins of the V-92 thread - saves lots of time and aggravation.

Thanks for your thoughts,

SJS
 
Thanks Steve, I had never even heard of V-92. Do you use that in a normal household sewing machine? I see there is also a V-69 (google search) that is a bit lighter and may work better in home sewing machines and still offer the outdoor use protection.
 
Pete~

I use a Sears Kenmore - wedding present from 1975. The SailRite website has lots of good info on needles, threads, etc for use with "consumer" machines like mine. I do not know the difference between the V-92 and V-69 - but SailRite does.

Another great help - Seamstick - a double-sided tape to hold the canvas while sewing - instead of pins.

SJS
 
I notice lots of guys use Cordura (a nylon) for their canvas work. I have been using Sunbrella Marine (a polyester) for my covers and dodgers, etc. for many years. Is there a particular advantage to using Cordura?

If so, is there a particular thread-count (1000 denier?)? Preferred color ?

What's a good source?

Thanks for your thoughts,

SJS
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Cordura being a nylon isn't meant for long-term sun exposure. I've have 1000D on my blind and I'm real happy with it, but all my stuff is stored inside. After 10 years it is as new. To answer Dave, Cordura comes with different waterproof backings. I believe (think) that here is PVC- and urethene-backed. I specifically bought urethene-backed because I was told that it was better for my use. Who knows, mine looks perfect, both the backing and face. Mine stays rolled and wet all season and then I rinse it in freshwater for the off-season and store it.

I don't have a source.
 
Steve, Thanks for all the good info. That is one of the reasons this is the best place on the interweb. I love the source for "consumer" machines, I am using a Singer from my mom that was built in the 60's
 
Pete~

I use a Sears Kenmore - wedding present from 1975. The SailRite website has lots of good info on needles, threads, etc for use with "consumer" machines like mine. I do not know the difference between the V-92 and V-69 - but SailRite does.

Another great help - Seamstick - a double-sided tape to hold the canvas while sewing - instead of pins.

SJS
Click to expand...


My wife gave me a new Singer machine last Christmas. I was talking with my canvas shop about the correct thread to use and they gave me some V-92 thread. My machine has no problem running that thread.
When I was talking with him the next day I was telling him how much I hate straight pin, he laughed and threw me a roll of Seamstick. Wow, that stuff is great. No more pin pricks and material bunching up due to pins.
 
My experiences are the same as Pete and Tod's. Cordura faded with sun exposure. It is heavy and tough but longterm it has to be kept out of the sun or it fades and the camp patterns look cruddy. The best weather resistant material I've used is Sunbrella and Auqaulon is very good too and a bit cheaper. I have a lot of corudura material left to use up and am going to try painting it. I'll let you know how that fairs over the years.

Eric
 
My experiences are the same as Pete and Tod's. Cordura faded with sun exposure. It is heavy and tough but longterm it has to be kept out of the sun or it fades and the camp patterns look cruddy. The best weather resistant material I've used is Sunbrella and Auqaulon is very good too and a bit cheaper. I have a lot of corudura material left to use up and am going to try painting it. I'll let you know how that fairs over the years.

Eric
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The Cordua that I've painted lighly has held up well. I've never painted it heavily like some do with Canvas. I don't know how that woudl work.
 
I am gonna weigh in here. I have experience with all three. Canvas, Cordura, and Sunbrella. In my opinion, the Sunbrella is the best, by far.
It holds up the best as far as wear and color holding.

For my newest and present project, I chose to use the Cordura simply because I wanted to use the Max 4HD that I was able to find. Almost al of my camo is Max 4HD so I want it all to match. Not really necessary, just one of those things. This stuff I purchased is suposed to be 1000d, but I'm not so sure. Seems thin to me. Plus it has a black waterproof coating on the backside. I'm not crazy about that either, but oh well. I have it so I'll use it and see what happens.

Jon
 
I've made a lot of hunting "stuff" with camo Cordura (blind for my Carsten Bluebill, motor covers, etc.). I often use a light dusting of spray paint (various colors) to reduce any "shine". Doing this will tend to make it stiffer. The best thing about Cordura is no sewing. All seams are made using original formula Weldwood Contact Cement. If I felt a particular "spot" needed extra support, it was "tacked" with a Speedy Stitcher. I've never had anything pull loose.

One adaptation which proved useful was casting flat, narrow lead strap weights to insert in any low, "trailing" seams (during the cementing process).
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The application is not only useful for boats. No permament blinds are allowed in pool 13 of the Mississippi. However, less than 2" diameter natural materials tied together with hemp rope are acceptable. A few years ago, I built a few willow blind frames "here and there" (all the same size). Then a contact cement glued Cordura cover for two hunters was made to fit.

Transporting it folded up to any of the frames made for several hidden, comfortable duck hunts with protection from any weather (no sewing, all glue).

WEBSeptTeal2011CW.jpg

WEBTimTeal20l1CW.jpg

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I like that, quick and relatively easy. Contact cement is great to work with and I've had good luck with it over the years. This is spawning some new ideas - thanks again.
 
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