Canvas Care Instructions
Cotton canvas hoods have been a standard feature on Land Rovers since they first appeared in 1948. It is a hardwearing and durable material, but requires proper care to get the best results.
Canvas is a traditional product made from 100% natural cotton fibre. It is dyed to add colour and then treated to provide protection against rot, fungus and UV damage.
The canvas weave is designed to allow a certain amount of shrinkage along the length of a roll, approximately 2%.
Shrinkage is a natural and unavoidable characteristic of canvas. You will notice on first fitting, your hood it appears a little baggy. As the hood shrinks it will settle to the shape of your vehicle to create a snug fit. However, if the hood tension is not correctly maintained it will continue to shrink to the point it will no longer fit properly.
Following a few simple steps will ensure your hood fits correctly for many years.
Keeping a hood correctly tensioned is extremely important. Tension is applied to the hood using webbing straps and ropes. Starting from the front, the hood is secured above the windscreen. The front set of roof straps can be pulled tight around the front support hoop. Then, moving to the back of the vehicle, the rear curtain is secured in place and tensioned with the straps that come down to the body capping. The final step is to position the side curtains and tighten the ropes along the bottom edge.
Wetting the hood and allowing it to naturally dry, will cause the hood to shrink and conform to the shape of you vehicle. If possible this should be done a few times when the hood is new.
Ensuring the hood is correctly tensioned before it dries is very important, especially in the first four weeks.
If tension is not kept on these panels, especially when the hood is wet, the hood will creep forward. It is very difficult once a hood has been allowed to shrink to stretch it back again. Try not to keep the hood sides and rear curtains rolled up at night when the hood will get damp or leave the rear curtain rolled up when it’s raining. If the hood does get wet with the side rolled up, try to get it tied back down and tensioned before it dries.
Allowing the hood to dry out with the sides rolled up is a classic problem and many owners are surprised how quickly this shrinkage can occur.
To ensure the longevity of your hood, we recommend applying a coat of canvas proofer such as Nikwax or Fabsil every 6 to 12 months.
Canvas should be cleaned by hand with warm water and soft brush or cloth. Do not use detergent and do not be tempted to pressure wash you hood.
