We can tell you right now that the
#1 deadly sin of boat maintenance is “Procrastination and Neglect.” Environmental
buildup – soot, carbon, dirt, mildew, mold, green scum – can damage your boat quicker
than you think. Gelcoat, wood, isinglass, and plastic are all porous and once they
become impregnated sometimes it can be nearly impossible to clean them without ruining
the surface. Neglecting maintenance will reduce the value of your boat and make
it hard to keep clean. There are six other sins and they are not so obvious – in
fact, our guess is that you have been using a few of these harmful products
for years. Discover the other 6 deadly sins --
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Yacht-Brite cleaning products, by Shurhold, ensure that you will not harm marine
surfaces or the environment, yet still get your boat clean. |
#2 Dish Soap. It can strip a boat’s wax, degrade the waterproofing
of fabrics, and in some cases its chemicals can be harmful to the environment.
#3 Windex. Windex contains ammonia and was made to glean glass
– not plastic or isinglass. Most mirrors and many windows or portlights in boats
are made out of plastic. Windex and ammonia can cause yellowing and cracking,
among other problems.
#4 Paper Towels. They seem soft, but actually they are not. They
are made of wood fiber, can be very harsh and scratch soft plastics such as isinglass.
#5 Soft Scrub. Abrasive household cleaners like Soft Scrub are
too strong for your boat’s gel coat. Surfaces will lose their protective coating
with these harsh cleaners. Bleach-based products can discolor fabrics.
#6 Pledge. Pledge is great on wood but not on clear vinyl like
isinglass. Pledge contains solvents that remove the plasticizers from plastic which
will make the material brittle and yellow.
#7 Strong Solvents. Strong solvents used to clean algae off
hulls are often dangerous to the delicate gel coat surface if used repeatedly,
can cause environmental damage, and in some cases can be harmful to people.
To find the right cleaning product for your you boat needs, go to the specialist in boating cleaners – Shurhold….