Caring for your enclosure...

[Aly Canvas]

Here are some helpful tips when caring for different parts of your enclosure.

Sunbrella Canvas

When it’s time for a thorough cleaning, Sunbrella fabrics can be cleaned while still on a boat or, size permitting, they can be removed for cleaning in a washing machine or dockside. When cleaning Sunbrella fabrics, it is important to observe the following:

1.Always use a mild soap such as Ivory Snow, Dreft or Woolite.
2.Water should be cold to lukewarm.
3.Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
4.Air dry only. Never apply heat to Sunbrella fabrics.
General or light cleaning

To clean Sunbrella while still on a boat, follow these simple steps:

1.Brush off loose dirt.
2.Hose down.
3.Prepare a cleaning solution of water and mild soap such as Ivory Snow, Dreft or Woolite (no detergents).
4.Use a soft bristle brush to clean.
5.Allow cleaning solution to soak into the fabric.
6.Rinse thoroughly until all soap residue is removed.
7.Air dry.
8.May not require re-treatment depending on the age of the fabric.





Zippers
The ZippyCool Cleaning & Lubricating System is specially formulated to effectively clean and lubricate all types of metal, coil and plastic zippers. ZippyCool Cleaning Fluid, featuring the unique patented push/pull dispenser brush, removes harmful dirt, sand, salt deposits and other residue. The ZippyCool Lubricating Stick is a unique wax formula designed to lubricate zippers. Regular use of the complete ZippyCool Cleaning & Lubricating System will prolong the life of ALL your metal, coil and plastic zippers.

CONTAINS NO SILICONE OR PARAFFIN

DIRECTIONS:

ZippyCool Cleaning Fluid:

Prior to application, make sure zipper teeth are clear of sand, mud and other debris. For best results, use dry brush to remove any grit. Whenever possible, rinse zipper with fresh water. Apply ZippyCool Cleaning Fluid to inside and outside of zipper teeth. Rinse brush after every use. ZippyCool Cleaning Fluid's biodegradable formula leaves a unique protective film which lubricates without collecting residue.
ZippyCool Lubricating Stick:

Prior to application, clean zipper with ZippyCool Cleaning Fluid and rinse with fresh water. Apply sparingly. (Notice: For airtight and watertight zippers, apply ZippyCool Lubricating Stick only to the outside of the zipper teeth.) Close zipper carefully and unzip again to distribute lubricant. Repeat the process until zipper moves freely. To prolong the life of your zippers, reapply ZippyCool Lubricating Stick regularly, especially prior to extended storage periods.



Stamoid
1. Lay out the fabric on a flat area, Moisten the fabric with clear water. Add a solution of proper cleaning agent to the fabric, specifically APCO Vinyl Cleaner Plus or 303 Vinyl Cleaner.
2. Brush the fabric using a soft bristle brush with feathered ends and allow the solution to do most of the work, Do Not grind the bristles into the fabric.
3. Rinse. Duplicate effort on second side. (A solution of 10% bleach can be brushed onto the fabric to kill any mildew spores that may have remained.)
4. Rinse. Duplicate effort on second side. Goods should be hung to dry.
5. Finally an application of APCO Vinyl Protectant or 303 Vinyl Protectant should be added to the surface after the ‘post-wash’ drying time.

Under no circumstances, should anyone use an abrasive cleaner or any cleaner with a solvent base. If you wouldn’t use it on your cars painted surface, don’t use it on Stamoid. Solvents and/or abrasives can destroy the protective topcoat.

Strataglass
Cleaning: Flush thoroughly to cool the surface and rinse away environmental abrasives. Wash with IMAR Yacht Soap Concentrate, or other equally gentle and high quality soap. Do not use Simple Green, Orpine or any other harsh cleaner - they will dull the surface. Apply the soapy water to the clear vinyl section of the curtain with special purpose washing mitt or soft cotton cloths. Thoroughly rinse the soapy solution with fresh water and completely dry the curtains with a high quality chamois. (Swobbit.com makes several tools to make these tasks easier.) Your clear vinyl curtains should be washed whenever your boat is washed. After washing the curtains, apply IMAR Strataglass Protective Polish sparingly with small, light circular motions using a soft cotton cloth. Allow the polish to dry and then remove with a clean soft cotton cloth. Finally, lightly buff to a sparkling shine. Done. For routine maintenance between polishing, use IMAR Strataglass Protective Cleaner. Insure the clear vinyl panels are free of abrasives. Very lightly mist a soft cotton cloth. Lightly and briskly rub a manageable sized area and then lightly buff dry with another clean cloth. Done. We recommend using IMAR Strataglass Cleaner at least weekly but it's so fast and easy you may want to do it daily. You'll love the shine.

Isinglassor clear Vinyl
IMAR products can be purchased at a marine supplier, they are also great on isenglass.

Another great product I have come in contact with is Glass-Plex, can be used with a soft towel after you have cleaned your window with soap. You never want to rub isinglass or strata without removing salt or dirt. Applying force will cause hairline/fine scratches.

REMEMBER... Never use RAINEX and avoid touching isinglass and strataglass with sunscreen on your hands. It will permanently cloud the vinyl.

Hope this was helpful in getting your boat ready for the upcoming season.
Happy Fishing...

[Gerry Zagorski]

Great tips and thread Aly, thanks....

A few things I would like to add:

- Rolling up the glass if there is any sort of dirt or dried up salt deposits on it is a no no... The glass rubs against itself when rolled up and this causes small scratches that are almost impossible to get out. Make sure they are rinsed and dried before you roll them up. In fact, even when clean, rolling up the glass can still cause scratches. For this reason a lot of people will roll their curtains up with a towel inside to avoid the curtain from rubbing on itself and scratching. If you have a hard top you could also have snaps attached to the glass and snap it to the hard top rather then rolling it up.

- Do not leave the glass rolled up when it's wet and hot. This usually causes condensation between the 2 plys of glass and it makes them foggy, sort of similar to what happens to house windows when the seal breaks between the 2 pieces of glass. A few hours baking in the sun will usually take care of it or I heard of people using a hair dryer to apply some heat to it and remove the condensation.

- While most bolsters I've seen are made of white vinyl, if you need to have them redone, I would highly reccomend having them done with Sunbrella. I've had several boats with the vinyl and after a few year they get all cracked and stained. I have the same set of Sunbrella bolsters on the boat for 13 years now and they look like the just came out of the factory.