February 9, 1998 Care and Cleaning of Cabin Covers: An Interview with Ron Kensey, President of Kennon Aircraft Covers

Email this article |Print this article

by	Ron Kensey and the Editors of AVweb

About Ron Kensey ... More than a decade ago, Ron Kensey invented the first reflective aircraft sun shields that did not require Velcro or other fastners. His Kennon Sun Shields were an immediate sensation, and he's been on the leading edge of protective covers for aircraft ever since. We've used Ron's covers on our own aircraft for years, and are extremely proud to have Kennon Aircraft Covers as a sponsor of AVweb. You can order any of Kennon's covers and sun shields on-line and help support continued free access to AVweb and AVflash in the process. Kennon Aircraft Covers Other Interviews with Ron Kensey of Kennon Aircraft Covers Wing Covers for Icy Weather Care and Cleaning of Aircraft Covers Kennon Wind Spoilers Engine Covers, the Key to Effective Pre-Heating Wing and Tail Covers for Aircraft Kept Outdoors Keeping Your Cockpit Cool Frequently-Asked Questions About Kennon Products

Ron, what can an owner do to get the longest life from a cabin cover?

For woven fabrics it is important to keep the cover clean, and make repairs as soon as they are needed. We make our cabin covers from Sunbrella that fits into that category. Dirty covers absorb more water than they repel. A cover that is coming apart at the seams will be further damaged by the wind in no time.

Keep the cover off the ground and always store the cover in its storage bag.

How long can you expect a cabin cover to last?

Your cover should exceed five years useful life if it is made right and cleaned and repaired properly.

A lot depends on how the cover was built. For instance it makes sense for us to match the quality of thread to quality of fabric. If we use a material that is warranted for five years then we should use a thread of a of a comparable quality. No thread manufacturer will warrant thread, but there are some threads that will withstand the sun better than others.

The same goes for webbing that is used for straps and the quick-release fasteners. Quality usually costs more.

But even if a seam is coming apart, it isn't the end of the cover. It can be repaired. And the rest of the thread can be re-treated to withstand more UV.

Kennon uses Sunbrella, but do most other cover manufacturers use Sunbrella?

Many cover manufacturers use Sunbrella, or will if you ask them to. Sunbrella is a woven acrylic canvas. It withstands the sun, and is breathable so it won't trap moisture. It is the very best material that we know of for this application.

The UV destroys nylon rapidly. And nylon doesn't breathe, so it traps water. Cotton canvas breathes, but it doesn't survive the sun very well. There are other synthetics out there, and we are always looking. So far, however, Sunbrella is the best.

What is the best way to clean a cover?

The best way to clean Sunbrella is to pretreat the stains and then wash the cover in a commercial washing machine with a special non-detergent cleaner. Then, hang it out to dry. The manufacturer has recommended a special repellency re-treatment material that you spray onto the cover after washing.

We have washed covers for years in our home washing machines, and while you can do it, we haven't been satisfied with the results. So we have been working with out local Veterans Administration facility in Sheridan, Wyo., to develop a cleaning and repair service for aircraft covers.

The VA? How did they get involved in cleaning covers?

The Veterans Administration Medical Center is the largest employer in our county, and a subject of a lot of anxiety in Sheridan, Wyo., because government funding for the facility has remained flat for the past few years. Employees are being laid off from work as the in-patient census declines.

They have a state-of-the-art laundry facility — probably the best-equipped facility in the state. They also have some terrific personnel who know how to do the job. So we are teaming together to offer a service that you can't easily find: cover cleaning.

Does it have to be a Kennon cover?

No it doesn't have to be a Kennon cover. It doesn't matter who made the cover for us to clean and repair it.

If Kennon makes its business from making covers, why would you want to clean and repair covers? Especially the competition's? If covers last longer, then won't you sell fewer of them?

It is more important for us to focus on what is good for the customer. We have learned that when we serve them well, they remember us.

What happens when you get covers that are beyond repair?

We inspect the cover, and if we can add value to the cover by cleaning and repairing it, we will. If not, then we call the customer, explain the situation, and send the cover back. We just think that before someone buys a new cover, they should make sure that they have gotten as much use as they can from their existing one.

Thanks, Ron!