DiyProject

Stop the Rot: DIY Air Conditioner Pipe Insulation Cover

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Does the black foam insulation on your outdoor AC unit look like it’s seen better days? In just a year or two, the harsh sun can cause the foam to deteriorate, leaving your refrigerant lines exposed and inefficient. But don’t worry—you don’t need to be a pro to fix it! Join Eric Grant as he demonstrates a quick, budget-friendly DIY project to protect your insulation and keep your home's cooling system running smoothly for years to come.
Materials Required (24 Feet of Cover):
  • 1 yard - Boat Blanket Black 72" Fabric - SKU: 100113
  • Polyester Black Hook 1” - SKU: 105032
  • 1 each - Bound™ Tex 90 Black Polyester Thread - SKU: 126986 
Tools List:
  • Sailrite® Clear Acrylic Ruler 6" x 24" - SKU: 102400
  • Vanishing Tailor's Chalk (3 pack) - SKU: 123165
  • Kai Stainless Steel Bent Handle 9" Scissors - SKU: 125661
  • Sailrite® Ultrafeed® LSZ Walking Foot Sewing Machine (110V) - SKU: 311602

The cool refrigerant tubing coming off your outdoor compressor is vital for your AC's performance, but the standard foam covering is no match for UV rays. In this tutorial, we’re showing you how to "armor" those lines using Boat Blanket fabric. This simple addition acts as a sun shield, prolonging the life of the foam and saving you from frequent trips to the hardware store for replacements.

Why Use Boat Blanket?

Boat Blanket is a 72-inch wide, non-woven polyester fabric that is a favorite here at Sailrite. It’s incredibly durable, UV-resistant, and—best of all—it doesn’t unravel when cut. This means you don't have to worry about finishing the edges! While it’s often used for hull liners or trunk linings in RVs and boats, its "fuzzy" side makes it the perfect partner for a hook-and-loop fastening system.

The Secret to a Simple Build

One of the coolest features of this project is that you only need the "hook" side of your fastener. Because the Boat Blanket is naturally fuzzy, the 1-inch Hook Fastener sticks directly to the fabric like magic.

To create your cover:

  • Measure and cut 9-inch strips from your Boat Blanket.

  • Using your Sailrite® Ultrafeed® Sewing Machine, sew two rows of straight stitches to secure the hook tape to the back (smooth side) of the fabric.

  • Wrap it around your pipes and let the hook side grab the fuzzy exterior. It’s that easy!

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Tips for a Perfect Fit

Whether you're sprucing up your home patio unit, protecting a boat's AC system, or prepping an RV for a cross-country trip, this technique is versatile. Eric demonstrates how to handle slight curves in the piping and even how to make small slits in the fabric to accommodate secondary wires or tight corners. If your existing foam is already disintegrated, we recommend grabbing some fresh foam from the hardware store before wrapping it in its new Sailrite-made "sunsuit."

Ready to Start Sewing?

With just one yard of Boat Blanket, you can create up to 24 feet of insulation cover! It’s a small investment of time and material that yields big results for your home maintenance.

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