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