Cotton Duck (Marine-treated, preshrunk): Cotton duck, often called Otis Permasol, Vivatex or Sunforger, is an all cotton duck with special marine finish. Allow about an extra 3% for shrinkage under normal usage. Soft hand ideal for outdoor covers where low cost is important. Use for winter boat covers, boat deck canvassing, awnings, drop cloths, bags and hats. Available in many weights and thread deniers. Breathe Ability (5): Although a tight weave, cotton duck allows for excellent passage of moisture through the material. Waterproof (4): When cotton duck gets saturated, the fibers will swell and the openings in the weave close making the fabric nearly waterproof. Cotton duck will shrink some over time even if it undergoes a "preshrinking" process. Abrasion Resistance (4): Heavier versions are quite abrasion resistant as the fabric is soft and forms well to harsh surfaces and corners. UV Resistance (1): The main disadvantage of cotton duck is that it fails quickly when exposed to harsh sun. Some improvement has been made by applying chemical treatments to the fabric but it is still inferior to almost all of the synthetic alternatives. Colorfastness (N/A): Cotton fabrics take and hold dye very well. For most all outdoor applications this fabric is sold in a natural or pearl grey color. Low pricing is generally the appeal and bright colors are not readily available. Clean Ability (4): Easy to clean and wash dirt free from the crevasses of the yarns.
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