| It is amazing how quickly how boats can | | | | in these products can be deteriorated causing |
| become so dirty. Here are a few tips to bring | | | | them to fall apart. Believe me I know I just |
| back that new boat look. | | | | spent over $500.00 to get my canvas repaired |
| | | | when all the zippers and stitching started to |
| Wash the outside with a mild detergent. | | | | fall apart. For use on these types of |
| Sometimes it's tempting to whip out the | | | | materials I suggest Amazon's Mildew Stain |
| industrial cleaner, but believe me it will | | | | Away, also available at boating supply |
| only cost you more time in the future. Strong | | | | stores. This product will not clean as well |
| cleaners remove the wax, leaving the finish | | | | as bleach, but it does a better job of not |
| vulnerable to dirt and the harmful rays of | | | | hurting your stitching. |
| the sun. Marine stores sell detergents that | | | | |
| are made especially for boat finishes. These | | | | Keeping the upholstery looking good is simple |
| do a good job of cleaning and won't remove so | | | | if you keep a good leather and vinyl |
| much of the wax. Some of these detergents may | | | | protectant applied after each use. These are |
| even contain wax for extra protection. | | | | easy to apply, take only a few minutes, and |
| | | | will extend the life of the upholstery these |
| Wax your boat. This doesn't have to be done | | | | protectants penatrate and moisturize the |
| each time you wash, but the more you wax the | | | | vinyl helping to prevent drying and cracking. |
| longer the finish will look new. While the | | | | Some even have a type of sunblock to help |
| surface of a fiberglass boat may appear slick | | | | prevent fading. |
| and shiny, if you were to look at it under a | | | | |
| microscope you would see that it is actually | | | | Don't forget the windshield. Sometimes after |
| rough and has many pits and flaws. When you | | | | a day on the water it becomes almost |
| apply wax these microscopic pits are filled | | | | impossible to see through your windshield. |
| in leaving the surface smooth and glossy. | | | | Sand, salt spray, and tanning lotions seem to |
| Your boat should be waxed in the spring | | | | be attracted to this part of your boat like a |
| before commissioning and in the fall before | | | | magnet. After washing and drying clean the |
| storing it in the winter. This is the minimum | | | | windshield with a good glass cleaner and then |
| to maintain your boat in a new looking | | | | apply rain-x. Just like the fiberglass, the |
| condition. | | | | windshield also has microscopic pits. Rain-x |
| | | | fills these in and makes the surface slick so |
| Mold and mildew are problems that can be kept | | | | that it stays cleaner longer. |
| under check if you take a little time to keep | | | | While boating is a pleasurable way to spend |
| the inside of your boat clean. They like to | | | | a summer day, it is also very exhausting and |
| grow on surfaces that are dirty. If you | | | | you may not feel like cleaning your boat when |
| already have mildew it is not so easy to | | | | you get home. Just remember keeping it in a |
| remove. A mild solution of bleach and water | | | | "new boat" condition will increase the resale |
| will kill the mildew on the hard shiny | | | | value and shorten the time it takes to sell |
| surfaces, however never use these on vinyl | | | | your boat. |
| seats or canvas boat tops. The stitching used | | | | |