cleaning and preserving boat top?

[big ken]

hi i have a 1978 glastron boat with full cover which i believe to be original and in good shape. boat was garage kept for most of its life i guess is the reason for being that. what do you ues to keep it that shape[soft]. as far as material i guess its vinal. thanks ken

 

[cpubud]

Re: cleaning and preserving boat top?

303 fabric guard from west marine works great . not cheap but nothing marine is.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: cleaning and preserving boat top?

keep it out of the sun, except when in use.

 

[big ken]

Re: cleaning and preserving boat top?

thanks guys. i checked into that product, going to get some. as far as keeping it out of sun, boat is no longer garage kept so now is the sun going to damage the top or take it off and damage the interior? i think i will keep top on [treat it] and hope it works. thanks ken

 

[Mark42]

Re: cleaning and preserving boat top?

I havent tried this, but I hear that kids high SPF sunscreen works well to protect vinyl tops. Otherwise, look for top protectants with high uv protection, or just put a tarp over the top when stored outdoors.

 

[OV1961]

Re: cleaning and preserving boat top?

Can't you fold the top down and use a boat cover? The covers are a lot cheaper than replacing a full enclosure. When you say "full cover" are you talking about an enclosure with top and sides? If so, there are plenty of products you can treat it with, take your pick they all do the same thing. They just slow down the outgassing of the petroleum bases that keep them pliable. You're supposed to fold them up and use a full boat cover when parked in your driveway on a trailer. Enclosures cost $ thousands, covers cost $ hundreds.

I expect that I would pay at least a grand to replicate my original enclosure. I am lucky to have the original OEM enclosure to make a pattern out of - and it is still in decent enough shape to use. I suspect there aren't but a very few surviving examples existing after 47 years.