Using Fabratection to protect your cars different fabric trims.

What is it?

Fabratection is a water based, super hydrophobic fabric protectant. It's a new generation of fabric Nano coating that is engineered for durability and hydrophobicity that is used to protect interior carpets & mats, seatbelts, Microsuede, Alcantara, cloth seats and convertible tops. The safe fluro polymer also helps repel water, sweat and light oils. Fabratection creates a durable water and UV protective layer for up to a year. It will resist accidental liquid spills and makes protected surfaces much easier to clean. One of the best bits about this product though, is that it won't change the look or the feel of fabrics, and importantly it still allows the fabric to breathe. Most importantly, it's an environmentally safe product that works!

We have broken up the usage into 3 main categories: fabric seats, Alcantara/Microsuede and carpets & mats. Each one requires sublte differences in application method, so we've outlined them in detail below.

Instructions for use - Fabric Seats

 

 

Step 1:

Make sure the surface is totally dry and give the seats a good vacuum to remove any and all debris from the seat. The fabric needs to be as clean as possible before you apply Fabratection.

 

Step 2:

If the seat has stains on it already, use our Fabra Cadabra fabric cleaner as per its directions to remove those stains first. Any heavier staining or marks may need the addition of Orange Agent and a shampoo extraction machine. See our guides here -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 3:

IT'S CRITICAL THE SURFACE IS 100% DRY BEFORE APPLYING Fabratection.

Wearing gloves for this job isn't a bad idea as the product can get sticky on your hands.

• Working in the shade, in a well ventilated area in temperatures between 10c and 35c is ideal, give the bottle a good shake. 
• Spray Fabratection into a Square Bear applicator until it's quite damp, then rub it into the seats one section at a time (a seat bolster would be one section), from all angles, working it into corners, joins and seams of the seat to ensure the best coverage. Spray more Fabratection into the Square Bear, then do the next section, and so on until all the seats are done.
• Allow this coat to cure for 20 minutes, then apply a second coat in the exact same manner.

Any overspray of Fabratection, simply wipe it off with a damp cloth before it can dry.

Instructions for use - Alcantara/Microsuede

 

 

Step 1:

Vacuum the surface thoroughly and remove any stains from the fabric prior to application of Fabratection using our Alcantara/Microsuede safe cleaner; Fabra Cadabra as per our article here -

 

 

Step 2:

• Make sure the surface is totally dry and work in a well ventilated area.
• Using a Plush Brush or similar soft bristled detailing brush, brush all of the fabric fibres in one direction and mist a light coat of Fabratection on.

 

NOTE: Do not use a hair dryer to dry Alcantara/Microsuede, as the heat can affect the fibres.

 

Step 3:

• Wipe off any overspray with a damp cloth before it can dry.

 

Step 4:

• Allow this coat to cure for 20 minutes, then brush all of the fibres in the opposite direction and mist another light coat of Fabratection on, again, wiping away any excess overspray.

Instructions for use - Floor mats and carpets

 

Step 1:

Make sure the surface is totally dry and give the carpets and mats a good vacuum to remove any and all debris from them. The fabric needs to be as clean as possible before you apply Fabratection.

 

Step 2:

If the seat carpets or mats have stains on them already, use our Fabra Cadabra fabric cleaner as per its directions to remove those stains first. Any heavier staining or marks may need the addition of Orange Agent and a shampoo extraction machine. See our guides here -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 3:

IT'S CRITICAL THE SURFACE IS 100% DRY BEFORE APPLYING Fabratection.

Wearing gloves for this job isn't a bad idea as the product can get sticky on your hands.

• Working in the shade, in a well ventilated area in temperatures between 10c and 35c is ideal, give the bottle a good shake. 
• Spray Fabratection into a Square Bear applicator until it's quite damp, then rub it into the carpets and mats one section at a time (30cm x 30cm or so), from all angles, working it into corners, joins and seams, to ensure the best coverage. 
• Spray more Fabratection into the Square Bear, then do the next section, and so on until all the carpets and mats are done.
• Allow this coat to cure for 20 minutes, then apply a second coat in the exact same manner.
• Allow another 20 minutes, then apply a third coat using the same technique.

Any overspray of Fabratection, simply wipe it off with a damp cloth before it can dry.

Allow the Fabratection a longer cure time, from 48 hours to even longer for deeper pile carpets, before getting wet. 

 

IMPORTANT

After application, open your car doors and windows and allow Fabratrection to dry for 5-6 hours.

DO NOT DISTURB ANY TREATED SURFACES IN THIS TIME.

After this 5-6 hours, you need to allow another 24-48 hours for Fabratection to fully cure and become hydrophobic. Do not get it wet in this time as it can affect the performance of the product.

Wash your applicator and brush out immediately after use. 

Other tips

Fabratection is an environmentally safe and water based product, but because of this it won’t last as long or bond as strong as the older unsafe fabric protectants will. We find at around 6 months you should look at reapplying it on high wear areas (drivers seat, convertible tops etc), lower wear areas however, is a yearly job.

When you've finished using Fabratection, turn the bottle upside down and pump the trigger until all of the left over liquid has been released (probably best to do this in a sink or similar)

Because it is water based, the cure times are 100% needed. Do not get it wet for at least 24 hours, and in most cases we recommend 48+ hours for best results, especially on deeper pile carpets and mats.

It has a shelf life of just over one year after first use. This is when it will start to lose a slight amount of effectiveness. It still can be used after this, but won’t be as good as it was when new. It needs to be stored in a cool spot out of direct sunlight; 4 to 40 degrees C is its happy place.

Any applicators you use during application should be soaked in Microfibre Wash immediately after use, then washed. The Plush Brush is much more forgiving and you can just give it a good rinse with some fresh water.

Questions?

You can find Fabratection at many of our supporting autObarn, Supercheap Auto and Repco stores, plus other independent resellers as well, using part code: BOFTECT. 

To find your local retailer, click the Stockists link at the bottom of this page.

If you would like more information about Fabratection, or any of our other products, shoot us an email to info@bowdensown.com.au or FREECALL our office on 1800 351 308.

Happy detailing,

Brett Hobbs.