As the temperatures climb higher, boat lovers everywhere will be returning to the water every chance they get. Taking your boat out after a long, cold winter can be extremely refreshing, especially if you have been kept off of the water by the weather. While you’re gearing up for your joyride, remember to pay attention to your upholstery. Summer weather is beautiful, but it can also lead to worn down seats if you don’t properly care for your boat.
(Top) Mildewed seats. (Bottom) Seats looking like new after the Fibrenew touch.
The first thing you should do upon exposing your boat to the summer elements is to find out exactly what type of material the seats on your boat are made of. Many seats are made with a combination of vinyl and leather, so make sure you know which category your boat falls under.
Choosing a good leather cleanser is the next preventative measure to take. We recommend using water based cleanser, which has fewer chemicals and is better for long-term use. Wiping down your seats regularly with a good cleanser is an excellent way to prevent major wear and tear as well as keep your leather looking clean and new.
Making sure to cover all upholstery on your boat is another great way to keep it from sun damage. Being openly exposed to the sun all the time will wear on the material and cause serious fading, so make sure to invest in a good cover if you store your boat in an outdoor area. Sun damage can cause cracking and fading, so protection is vitally important to keep the material in good shape. Covering up your upholstery will also help protect from dirt, which can stain, and dampness, which can cause mildew. Be sure to dry out the boat before covering it up. Trapped moisture can cause rotting and mildew of the boat’s interior.
Taking these precautionary measure will help keep your boat in fantastic shape. Prepare to relax and enjoy those long summer rides on the water!
Sunscreen and other oils are one of the main reasons boat seats start looking old. If you want to make your seats last and look new for longer, you need to clean them often. This video explains why.
This video shows you how to clean your vinyl boat seats and explains why it is important to clean correctly to make your seats last longer and keep your seats from looking worn or faded.
Any questions? Check out our blog post on cleaning vinyl boat seats or leave questions in the comments!
We recommend that you clean and protect your car and motorcycle seats 6-8 times a year, cleaning seats that get used frequently the most and those that often go untouched less frequently.
Why you should clean your leather car and motorcycle seats
Dirt and oil collect on seats easily. You usually can’t see this fine layer of mess, but it acts as an abrasive surface, making tiny scratches on and wearing down the top layer found on the vast majority of leather vehicle seats. Once that layer is worn down, the leather is more susceptible to all kinds of damage.
Also, leather is naturally very porous, so, once the protective layer has been worn down, it soaks up the dirt and oils left standing on its surface. Even before you can see the effects of this damage, the leather is collecting the dirt and oil it soaks up on the back side of the leather. Once there is enough on the back side, it will eventually seep to the front and discolor the leather.
What to use to clean leather car and motorcycle seats
Use a soft cleaner made specifically for leather. You can get leather cleaners at most auto enthusiast shops, and Fibrenew franchisees all sell them. Before you pick a cleaner, you should read our guide on leather cleaning products.
How to clean auto and bike seats
You should check out the directions on the bottles of the cleaner and protection cream you buy, but, generally speaking, you should:
Squeeze leather cleaner on a clean sponge.
Wipe your seats using a circular motion. You don’t need to press down hard; just a gentle rub will suffice.
Use a clean, dry cotton towel to dry off any excess cleaner.
Use the same circular motion and a soft cotton cloth to apply protection cream to your couch.
