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How do I care for my "glass" windows?
First, ROLL your window sections into tubes, NEVER fold them! Folding creates creases, and over time this will cause them to crack.
To clean your "glass", never use a paper towel. This will cause scratches, and will cloud the "glass" over time. Alway's use a terry towel or a buffing towel. There are two cleaners I recommend:
Pledge Multi-Surface cleaner
There are "SUNBLOCKER" Protective Clips that you can purchase to keep the "glass" from touching your frame. When the "glass" touches your usually hot framework, it burns it, turning it brown and also making it brittle.
You would need at least one for each section of framework that "glass" is exposed to (usually 2-6 are required), but it will add YEARS to the life of the "glass"!
How do I clean mold off marine vinyl?
Marine vinyl is designed to resist mold. Unfortunately, it is not able to withstand the effects of accumulated sunscreen, dirt, residual soap and water. Wherever there is water, there is usually mold. Moisture from the air and sweat from bodies create an ideal environment for mold and mildew to grow on vinyl surfaces.
Bleach-based cleaning products are some of the most popular options when it comes to getting rid of mold from boats. Not only is bleach an effective cleaning product, it is also extremely affordable. Unfortunately, bleach deteriorates the stitching on marine vinyl. The detrimental effects are even more noticeable when you combine bleach and sunlight. For this reason experts recommend using a mixture of bleach and water exclusively for smaller mold jobs.
I use Winsol Deep Clean in my shop.
When cleaning your boat canvas it is important to make sure you use the proper cleaning solution.
NEVER wash your cover in a washing machine or with any harsh cleaners.
This can damage both the water repellency and cause shrinkage, not to mention the damage the snaps will cause to your machines tub!
NEVER trailer with your cover UNLESS you have a travel cover. Most people have a mooring cover, and these are NOT meant to be trailerd. And if you do have a travel cover, NEVER trailer it without using the support poles!
If you store your boat outside for the winter, make sure the poles are as tight and high as the cover will allow.
You may also want to add tie-downs if you live in an area where heavy snow or hard rains will fall.
You can use a hose and a soft bristle brush for cleaning. Alway's allow the cover to dry completely before folding for storage.
For stubborn spots, here are a few cleaning recipes:
1 cup white vinegar
Or:
2 TBLS. Dawn dishsoap
Mix either recipe in a bucket. Apply to the cover and leave on for 10 minutes. Why is moss growing on my boat!
Pontoon boats are often left outside in the rain and humidity, thus increasing the chance of moss growth on the synthetic carpeting. Most commercial moss killers are actually toxic to marine life and plants, so you cannot spray them or wash them off while the boat is near any type of water way. Attempt the least toxic moss removal method first, although it is always a good idea to clean your pontoon carpeting on dry land to avoid contaminating the water.
What should I do when storing my boat for the winter?
The biggest problem faced by boaters is the damage that can happen during winter storage.
Between mice, squirrels and raccoons trying to set up house in your boat, mold and mildew created by the shrink-wrapping or just your winter storage cover, boaters have a lot of work and worry!
Rodents love your boat because the interior is usually made of canvas, vinyl and plastics. These are petroleum products, and petroleum is a natural heat generator as well as a temporary food source! Those pesky rodents are looking for a food and a heat source and your boat is just perfect!
By far the best thing to keep the rodents away is a hungary cat, but if that is not a possibility, try some of these tried and true tips:
And don't forget to stuff the openings of your trailer tubing with Steel Wool. Mice will not chew through steel wool and your wiring will be safe!
Dri-Z Air will help keep your boat dry and mold free.
Another way to rid out the mold is using Campingworld.com's electric dryer,
Happy's Air Dryr. You can plug it into a timer and set it to run a few hours a day increasing a little at a time until you get the desired effect.
Remove your bimini top, boot cover and any curtains or window sections. Wipe them down first with a dry towel to remove spiders and egg sac's.
Clean your windows and wash your canvas as stated in the articles on this page.
ROLL your window sections into tubes, NEVER fold them! Folding creates creases, and over time this will cause them to crack.
Place them in a bag and store them under your bed, or in a closet INSIDE the house.
Even if you have done so in the past, storing them in the garage or basement is just a mouse incident waiting to happen.
Replacement or simply repairing bimini's and windows can get VERY expensive!
If possible, take your covers and curtain panel's to any canvas shop and have the snap's re-tightened. This is a great time to do it, and will lenghten the life of your covers. What do I do about thread rotting?
Thread Rot can be caused by a lot of things, but mostly it is due to the manufacturer using cheap thread.
For example, a 1 pound spool of cotton/poly thread is about $8.00, and is commonly used in the manufacturer process.
BUT, if you have ever used bleach on your item it will rot the thread quite quickly, even SUNGARD© Thread.
If your item can be re-stitched, that is the best and least expensive option.
Trying to sew an unstable fabric is much like the preforations in your checkbook.
I will never sew an unstable fabric because it is unfair to the customer, who, in the end, will have to pay twice (once for the repair, second for the replacement!) for the same job. What is the BEST advice I offer?
On sunny, windy days, leave your cover off for a few hours and let nature do the work for you!
The sun and wind can naturally dry and clean your boat by getting rid of excess water and killing moss, mold and mildew!
Simply take off the cover(s), lift up the seats and open all hatch coverings.
And don't forget to lay out the cover(s) to dry!
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