General Cleaning and Maintenance

Maintaining the quality appearance and condition of your boat

Canvas Care & Maintenance

Brush the canvas with a soft-bristled brush and hose down at regular intervals to remove dust and dirt particles. Canvas may be washed in a mild soap solution in lukewarm water (no more than 100 F). Rinse thoroughly to remove soap. Do not use detergents.

Products that could be used are:

Lux

Ivory Flakes

Borateem

For more stubborn stains, soak the canvas in a solution of 1/2 cup (4 oz.) Clorox, 1/2 cup (4 oz.) Ivory Flakes and one-gallon warm water for about 20 minutes. Rinse with cold water to remove all soap. Note: This method may remove part of the water repellence, so apply a water repellent treatment as necessary.

The canvas may also be washed in an automatic washer on the "cold" cycle using 2 cups (16 oz.) Clorox and 1 cup (8 oz.) Ivory Flakes. Do not dry in a dryer - allow canvas to line dry only. The fabric is 100% acrylic and it will shrink. Canvas may be dry cleaned, but a water repellent treatment will be necessary.

Canvas Storage

Do not fold or crease any of the clear vinyl panels, as cracking will result. Do not fold or store any canvas while wet. All canvas should be rolled or folded when dry and stored in a clean, dry area.

Fiberglass/Gel Coat Care & Refinishing

Molded fiberglass with a gel coated exterior finish makes up the structure of the hull, deck and some interior parts of your boat. The Gel Coat is the outer surface, often colored, that presents the shiny, smooth appearance that is associated with fiberglass products. In some areas, this Gel Coat surface is painted or taped for styling purposes.

Wash the fiberglass regularly with clean, fresh water. Wax Gel Coated surfaces to maintain the luster. In northern climates, a semiannual waxing may suffice for the season. In southern climates, a quarterly application of wax will be required for adequate protection.

Recommended waxes are:

3M Imperial Hand Glaze #05990

Meguiar’s #26

Hiteck Yellow Wax.

If the Gel Coated surface gloss cannot be restored by waxing, then power buff with a rubbing compound such as 3M Super Duty #05955, followed with 3M Finesse-It 2 #05928, then wax.

An alternate method is to use Meguiar’s #44 Heavy Duty Color Restorer followed with Meguiar’s #50 Boat Cleaner/Polish, then wax.

Recommended waxes are:

3M Imperial Hand Glaze #05990

Meguiar’s #26

Hiteck Yellow Wax.

If the Gel Coat is not maintained and becomes heavily oxidized, light sanding may be required before buffing.

Fiberglass/Gel Coat Stains & Scratches

Gel Coat and painted surfaces are very resistant to deep stains. Common surface stains can be removed with diluted household detergents, providing these detergents do not contain ammonia or chlorine. Porcelain-cleaning powders are too abrasive and often contain chlorine and ammonia, either of which would permanently discolor the Gel Coat and paint. Alcohol or kerosene can be used for difficult stains but should be washed away promptly with a mild detergent and water. Never use acetone or ketone solvents.

Minor scratches and deeper stains that do not penetrate the Gel Coat may be removed by light sanding and buffing.

Fiberglass/Gel Coat, Special Care for Boats That Are Moored

If permanently moored in salt water or fresh water, your boat will collect marine growth on its bottom. This will detract from the boat's beauty and greatly affect its performance. There are two methods of preventing this:

1. Periodically haul the boat out of the water and scrub the bottom with a bristle brush and a solution of soap and water.

2. Paint the hull below the waterline with a good grade of antifouling paint. Do not paint the engine drive surfaces.

Bottom Paint Care

Over time, a slight algae or slime forms on all vessels. The bottom painted portion of the hull can be wiped off with a coarse Turkish towel or a piece of old rug while the boat is in the water. Do not use a stiff or abrasive material to clean the bottom paint.

The bottom paint should be inspected annually. If it needs repainting, flush the old paint and wash with hot water and laundry detergent. Rinse well and let surface dry completely. Feather any deep scratches with sandpaper and repaint, following the directions on the bottom paint label.

Fiberglass hulls should never be hauled, painted and re-launched the same day, since this does not allow sufficient time for the moisture that has been absorbed into the old paint film to completely dry out. Generally, 24 to 36 hours of drying time is required.

Bilge/Engine Compartment

1. Pump the bilge dry and remove all loose dirt. Be sure that all limber holes are open. If there is oil in the bilge and the source is not known, look for leaks in engine oil lines or engine gaskets. Oil stains can be removed by using a bilge cleaner.

2. Check all wiring and there are no loose or corroded terminals. If there are corroded terminals, they should be replaced or thoroughly cleaned. Tighten all terminals securely and spray them with light marine preservative oil.

3. Inspect the entire fuel system (including fill lines and vents) for any evidence of leakage. Any stains around joints could indicate a leak. Try a wrench on all fittings to be sure they are not loose, but do not over-tighten them. Clean fuel filters and vent screen.

4. Inspect the entire bottom for evidence of seepage, damage or deterioration, paying particular attention to hull fittings, hoses and clamps. Straighten kinked hoses and replace any that do not feel pliable. Tighten loose hose clamps and replace those that are corroded. Tighten any loose nuts, bolts or screws.

5. Refer to your engine operator's manual for engine maintenance details. Wipe off engines to remove accumulated dust and grease. If a solvent is used, make sure it is nonflammable. Go over the entire engine and tighten nuts, bolts and screws. Inspect the wiring on the engine, clean, and tighten the terminals. Inspect the belts and tighten them if needed. Clean and lubricate the battery terminals; fill the battery cells with distilled water as needed.

Topside Areas

1. Check grab rails for loose screws, breaks, sharp edges, etc., that might be hazardous in rough weather. Inventory and inspect life jackets for tears and deterioration. Check your first aid kit to make sure it is complete. Check the signaling equipment. Inspect anchor, mooring and towing lines and repair or replace as required. Do not stow wet lines or they may mildew and rot.

2. Stainless steel and alloy fittings should be cleaned with soap and water or household glass cleaner. Remove rust spots as soon as possible with a brass, silver or chrome cleaner. Irreversible pitting will develop under rust that remains for any period. Never use an abrasive like sandpaper or steel wool on stainless. These may actually cause rust. To help protect the stainless we recommend the use of a good car wax.

3. When instruments are exposed to a saltwater environment, salt crystals may form on the bezel and the plastic covers. These salt crystals should be removed with a soft, damp cloth; never use abrasives or rough, dirty cloths to wipe plastic parts. Mild household detergents or plastic cleaners can be used to keep the instruments bright and clean.

Plexiglas

Never use a dry cloth or duster, or glass cleaning solutions, on Plexiglas.

To clean Plexiglas, first flood it with water to wash off as much dirt as possible. Next, use your bare hand, with plenty of water, to feel and dislodge any caked dirt or mud. A soft, grit-free cloth may then be used with a nonabrasive soap or detergent. A soft sponge, kept clean for this purpose, is excellent. Blot dry with a clean, damp chamois.

Grease and oil may be removed from Plexiglas with kerosene, hexane, white (not aviation or ethyl) gasoline or aliphatic naphtha (no aromatic content).

Do not use solvents such as acetone, silicone spray, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, fire extinguisher fluid, dry cleaning fluid or lacquer thinner on Plexiglas, since they attack the surface.

Remove fine scratches with fine automotive acrylic rubbing and polishing compounds.

Upholsteries

Exterior fabrics should be cleaned with a sponge or very soft scrub-brush and a mild soap and warm water solution. Rinse after scrubbing with plenty of cold, clean water and allow the fabric to air dry in a well-ventilated area, preferably away from direct sunlight.

Mildew can occur if your boat does not have adequate ventilation. Heat alone will not prevent mildew; you must also provide fresh air circulation.

Always clean immediately. Test an unseen area of fabric before cleaning stain. See following chart for cleaning recommendations.

Type of Stain and Steps Cleaning Recommendations

Suntan lotions, wet leaves, permanent markers and some other products contain dyes that permanently stain.

Water Stain

White cloth - Westley's Clear Magic - air hose

Lendow Glass Cleaner

Clothes shaver to remove lint

Motor Oil