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BOAT CANVAS REPAIR
Tips for cleaning and caring for your custom upholstery
CARING FOR YOUR CANVAS
VINYL UPHOLSTERY CARE AND CLEANING
Please keep seats covered when not in use! The more they are covered, the longer they will last! Sunshine will slowly eat your seats.
Vinyl is porous and will take a stain if left unattended. When you have sun bathers lying on seats with lotion on, put a towel down or do a quick cleaning when back at the dock.
When you get a spill just wipe it up as soon as possible. The stain inhibitors will keep the problem at bay. If you need some water to help out, just dip one end of a towel in the lake, and use the other end for drying.
Regular cleaning is recommended. First thing in the spring, before you have people on the boat. If you are on the boat often, every six weeks for a quick clean and treatment. If you use the boat every other weekend, a quick cleaning every 12 weeks is needed.
The best bet is to use warm water and a small amount of dish soap or Ivory soap. A plastic bristle brush works well for scrubbing, and rinse with a hose or a wet towel. You can use any "marine vinyl cleaner", READ DIRECTIONS on bottle! You can really scrub the vinyl, it is strong and flexible.
If you get some mildew or stain from leaves, use 1 tablespoon ammonia, 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide, 3/4 cup of water-SCRUB, RINSE, DRY.
Many household cleaners are very powerful and can harm the vinyl composition, and take years away from the life of your seats. They will also weaken the thread that is used to sew the vinyl. Marine vinyl has ultra violet resistant treatment, stain inhibitors, and plasticizers added during the manufacturing process.
Now that it is clean, add a small amount of vinyl treatment to keep the vinyl soft, add sun screen, and additional stain barrier. PLEASE use a marine vinyl treatment not an automotive vinyl treatment with silicone. "303 Aerospace Protectant" or "Starbrite Marine Vinyl Treatment" work well.
To apply the vinyl treatment, use a small cloth or paper towel. Spray a light mist on the seat and rub it around with the cloth or towel, spraying more as you go. Then just let the treatment soak into the vinyl. It should be dry and ready for a boat ride in half an hour!!
DO USE
Marine Vinyl Cleaner and Treatments
Fantastic
Dish Soap (Dawn, Ivory)
303 Aerospace Protectant
Starbrite Vinyl Treatment and Cleaners
DO NOT USE
Formula 409
Murphy's Oil Soap
Simple Green
DC Plus
Armor All
Top Kote Sealant
Son-of-a-Gun
Orange Degreaser
Roll Off
Bleach
Baking Soda
Turtle Wax
Tar Remover
APCO
Harbor Mate
Strong household or automotive cleaners
POLYCARBONATE CARE AND CLEANING
Use only neutral-pH cleaners or those specified to be compatible with Makrolon products. Harsh detergents may damage product. Makrolon marine windows can be cleaned with over the counter dishwashing liquids such as Joy, or Palmolive soaps. Rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove all traces of cleaning products. To prevent water spots, thoroughly dry the product with a dry microfiber cloth or chamois.
DO NOT apply RainX or other brands of hydrophobic surface treatments to Makrolon polycarbonate as they may damage window's protective surface.
Makrolon, like other polycarbonate products, requires careful cleaning to prevent crazing, cracking, or yellowing of product. Clean water should be used to wash off grime and loose grit from all panels before cleaning products are applied. Only a soft microfiber cloth or microfiber sponge should be used to clean Makrolon windows. Avoid squeegees, deck/scrub brushes, scotch pads, paper/shop towels as they can be abrasive and can cause haze or swirls in the sheet. Avoid grit polishes as abrasives can lead to haze and swirls.
POINTS TO REMEMBER
Do not use abrasive cleaners
Do not use high alkaline cleaners
Do not leave cleaners sitting on polycarbonate for periods of time; wash off immediately
Do not apply cleaners under direct sunlight or at elevated temperatures
Do not clean polycarbonate with any unapproved cleaners. When in doubt seek guidance!
Using scrapers, squeegees, razors or other sharp instruments may permanently scratch polycarbonate.
Always avoid dry rubbing cleaning polycarbonate, as sand and dust particles clinging to the exterior of the glazing may scratch its surface
An anti-static canned-air ionizer can reduce electrostatic charge buildup on polycarbonate, consequently reducing dirt and dust buildup that would hinder cleaning.