I recently purchased a new hot tub cover and the last one failed from the vinyl being ruined from the sun. Is there anything I can do to help protect the vinyl from the sun and the cold so it does not crack?
Thank you,
Lois – Phoenix, AZ
Hi Lois,
Thank you so much for your inquiry! We hear this question a lot from Phoenix, as the UV is intense there.
The vinyl skin can become damaged over time, and the typical life of a good quality hot tub cover is about 5 years. If your vinyl skin is wearing out prematurely from sun exposure or from freezing temperatures prematurely, then you would definitely want to take extra precautions to protect the vinyl skin.
A quick note here. The Pros have not noticed darker vinyl colors fading or failing at a higher rate than the lighter colors. We have heard of bad batches of vinyl, but those failed very quickly and it was clear it was not cause by the environment.
The Pros also recommend being very careful with the cleaning products you use to clean your cover. We have seen many photos of failed vinyl that were caused from chemical burns caused by the type of cleaner that was used. Find out what type of vinyl your cover is made from, then you can insure you select the proper products to clean it. Simple soap and water will work most times.
The Pros have a couple of suggestions just for you. The first thing you may want to consider is to purchase a “Spa Cap”. This is a kind of cover for the cover if I may say it that way. The spa cap can be placed over the cover and removed from the cover very easily. They typically come in standard sizes and go over the tub, cover and lifter bar if you have one. They work like an old fashioned shower cap with an elastic band to keep it on. It is a relatively inexpensive and easy way to make sure that your cover remains looking beautiful.
Another option is to find a spray protectant for the cover, maybe at a local or online marina. Most covers are made with marine grade vinyl, so please make sure your protectant for the vinyl is something that you can use on the type of vinyl you have. The Pros have heard many times the Armor-All is very bad for vinyl. This typically will need to be reapplied every 6-8 weeks or so. Follow the directions on the product you select.
Happy Tubbing!
Ethel Elliott
