Seven top tips for cleaning your boat

by Martin Flory. on 14 Mar 2010 Here are seven top tips from Shurhold Industries Inc. to keep your boat cleaner, easier to keep clean and more valuable when you come to sell:

Tip 1. Yes, microfibre IS a better solution than cotton for cleaning polyester. The softness of microfibre towels comes from their composition of polyester and polyamine, which are thinner than human hair. They absorb 98% of water, whereas cotton can only absorb 70% at most. Microfibre also picks up dirt, oil and other contaminants and locks them away in the tiny hooks of the fabric until it's washed or rinsed. Regular cotton tends to push the dirt along the surface, increasing the chances of scratches and imperfections.

Microfibre towels are elastic, resisting tension and returning to their original state. They are safe to use with most chemicals and are easy to wash either by hand or in the washing machine, BUT never use fabric softener.

Tip 2: Always rinse down the area to be cleaned prior to washing. This helps remove any loose surface grime preventing you from scrubbing it into the finish.

Tip 3. 'Dirty' rain can leave black streaks. Try to wash streaks off immediately. The sooner you do it, the easier they will be to remove.

Tip 4. Less is more when it comes to mixing soap with water. Too much soap will make it hard to rinse leaving soap scum.

Tip 5. Wash early or late in the day, avoiding intense sunlight will make it easier to clean because the areas you are working on won’t dry too quickly.

Tip 6. Once everything is clean, wax or polish it to make the next cleaning easier. Keep a good coat of wax on all metal hardware to prevent corrosion. You’ll recoup the cost of all the cleaning, polishing and waxing products you use in your boat's resale value.

Tip 7. To help prevent corrosion on seals, hinges, snaps and zippers, they should be coated with water-resistant lubricant. Care must be exercised when applying liquid or spray lubricants. Some are petroleum-based, and drips or overspray may harm gelcoat or clear coat, upholstery and fabric.

Shurhold Industries Inc. produces a wide range of cleaning systems and products. To check out their range, go to their http://shurhold.com/marine!marine_website.

To find a dealer near you, scroll down the alphabetical list which starts below the USA office

USA:
National Marine Suppliers
2800 SW 2nd Ave
Fort Lauderdale, FL  33315 USA
Ph: + 954 764 0975
Fax: + 954 764 1073
rbowers@natlmarine.com
www.natlmarine.com

Bahamas
Colin Rose
OBS Marine Ltd
PO Box F-908
7 Cedar Street
Freeport, Grand Bahamas
Ph: + 242 352 9246
Fax: + 242 352 4528

Harbourside Marine Limited
119 Mackey St
PO Box N-4867
Nassau
Ph: + 242 393 3461
Fax: + 242 394 7659
yamaha1@coralwave.com

Bahamas (cont’d)
Lightbourne Marine
PO Box N-4894
Nassau
Ph: + 242 393 5285
Fax: + 242 393 6236

Bermuda
Pearman Watlington & Co
PO Box HM 840
#15 Gorham Road
Hamilton, HM CX
Ph: + 441 296 9901
Fax: + 441 292 4489

France
Jacques Routin
Donzeco sarl
1er C.A.I –331 Av Dr Lefevre
06270 Villeneuve Loubet
Ph: + 33 493 229 865
Fax: + 33 493 733 729
jr.donzeco@wanadoo.fr
www.proyacht.fr

French West Indies
Electro Nautic
23 Rue Raspail
Boite Post 385
97162 Pointe A Pitre
Guadeloupe
Ph: + 590 213 670
Fax: + 590 90 2401
electronautic@wanadoo.fr

Le Shipchandler De Port Franc
B.P. 118 Port De Gustavia
97098 St. Barthelemy Cedex
Ph: + 59 027 8629
Fax: + 590 27 8573

Mer & Sport
ZI Jambette BP 233
97284 Lamenin, Martinque
Ph: + 596 50 28 75
Fax: + 596 50 22 48
gr@mer-et-sport.com

Germany
D Scheid
IGEPA-Chemie GMBH
93077 Gad Abbach, Alkofen
Ph: + 49 9405 95252
Fax: + 49 9405 952525



Greece
Dimitri Birdas
Nautilus Ltd
25 N Plastira Str
551 32 Salonica
Ph: + 302 310 452919
Fax: + 302 310 452915
info@nautilus.gr

Anthony Sepfos
Zeas Marine Supply
3 Freatidos St
185 36 Piraeus
Ph: + 01 45 34 3444
Fax: + 01 42 82 563

N. Paschalidis & Co.
1 Alon St.
18540 Piraeus
Ph: + 30 210 417 8406
Fax: + 30 210 411 7507

A. Stefanou Co.
9 Loecharous Str.
Piraeus
Ph: + 30210 411 9393
Fax: + 30210 41 19282
info@stefanou.com.gr

Tecrep Marine
36, Akti Moutsopoulou
185 36 Piraeus
Ph: + 30 210 452 1647
Fax: + 30 210 418 4280
sales@tecrepmarine.gr
www.tecrepmarine.gr

Israel
Jackie Frangi
Atlantis Marine
Atarim Sq No 147
169 Hayakon St
63453 Tel Aviv
Ph: + 972 35 22 79 78
Fax: + 972 35 23 51 50
atlantis@inter.net.it

Italy
Paolo Grassi
Nautica Ponte Magra
Via Nuova Litoranea 5
19031-Ameglia (SP)
Ph: + 39 0187 64660
Fax: + 39 0187 648670
info@pontemagra.it


Italy (Cont’d)
Alberto Osculati
Osculati spa
Via pacinotti 12
20090-Segrate MI
Ph: + 39 02 2699 111
Fax: + 39 02 2699 1120
osculate@osculati.it

Nuccio Magliocchetti
Sanremo Mare SNC
Via del Castillo #10
18038-Sanremo IM
Ph: + 39 0184 531111
Fax: + 39 0184 575500
srmare@sistel.it

Japan
Eiji Tanaka
Kisaka Marine Co Ltd
4-130 Kanna Becho
Sakai-City, Osaka 590-0984
Ph: + 81 722338888
Fax: + 81 722338833
info@kisaka-marine.com

Masahito Kojima
Marine Service Kojima Co.
2-1-12 Sachiura Kanazawa
Yokohama City,
Kanagawa Prf. 236-0003
Ph: + 81 45 790 3581
Fax: + 81 45 790 3591
kojima@mskojima.co.jp
www.mskojima.co.jp

Mexico
David Zaragoza
Ferreteria Zaragoza
Blvd Fco Median
Ascencio 1600
Col Olimpica CP
48330 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
Ph: + 52 3 222 14 36
Fax: + 52 3 222 37 36
zaragoza@pvnet.com.mx

Star Marine Center
Carretera San Carlos Km 11.5
San Carlos, Sonora 85506
Ph: + 52 622 226 1061
Fax: + 52 622 226 1046
partes@starmarinecenter.com
www.starmarinecenter.com



Netherlands Antilles
Budget Marine St Maarten
Kaya Carlos A Nicholaas 4
Kralendijk, Bonaire
St Maarten
Ph: + 599 717 3710
purchasing@budmar.an

Paul Marshall
Island Water World Distributor
PO Box 234
Phillipsburg, St Maarten
Ph: + 599 544 5310
Fax: + 599 544 3299
boatssxm@sintmaarten.net

Netherlands
Huub Lambriex
On Deck b.v.
Leimuiderdijk 478a
Weteringbrug 2156 MX
Ph: + 31 71 331 3366
Fax: + 31 71 331 3387
info@la84.nl
www.la84.nl

New Zealand
Alistair Presland
Thirty Seven South Ltd
PO Box 1874
121 Beaumont Street
Auckland
Ph: + 64 9 303 1459
Fax: + 64 9 307 8170
service@37south.com.nz

Norway
Norway Marine Supply
P.O. Box 1551 Stoa
N-4856 Arendal
Ph: + 47 37000379
Fax: + 47 37021645
www.maritim.no

Puerto Rico
Carlos Latour
Marine Center of the Caribbean
Kennedy Ave KM 3.3
Caparra Heights
San Juan 00820
Ph: + 787 792 9666
Fax: + 787 792 6421







Puerto Rico (cont'd)
Olga Eiroa
Marine World Distributors
PO Box 361042
San Juan 00936-1042
Ph: + 787 287 0888
Fax: + 787 620 0260
oeiroa@marineworlddist.com

Marie Haydee
Mike Benitez
PO Box 9066541
San Juan 00906-6541
Ph: + 787 724 6265
Fax: + 787 725 4344

Javier Marquez
Puerto Rico Nautic
501 Calle Juan Calaf #101
San Juan 00919-1316
Ph: + 787 765 5998
Fax: + 787 753 8896

Jorge Martinez Archilla
Skipper Shop
PO Box 519
Santa Isidra Shopping Cntr
Puerto Real 00740
Ph: + 787 863 2455
Fax: + 787 860 2360
skippers@coqui.net

Singapore
Johnny Lim
Marina Yacht Services Pte
#10 Tuas West Dr #01-01/04
Raffles Marina
Singapore 638404
Ph: + 65 6862 4320
Fax: + 65 6862 4431
marinayacht@pacific.net.sg

Spain
Javier Corcuera
Gemain Distribuciones
Nauticas
Cami Sagraments, 65 Nave 23
08630 Abrera Barcelona
Ph: + 34 93 7704105
Fax: + 34 93 7759548
info@gemain.es

Marcos Pinmar
Pinmar Palma
Contramuelle Mollet 6
07012 Palma de Mallorca
Ph: + 34 971 713 744
Fax: + 34 971 718 143
marcos@pinmar.com


Sweden
Ted Anderson
Watski AB
Box 9204 SE-20039
Kantyxegatan 14, Malmo
Ph: + 46 40 671 67 00
Fax: + 46 40 22 05 55
info@watski.com
www.watski.se

Anders Nilsson
Byggplast & Batprylar Sverige
Lovbacksvagen 4
SE-141 71 Segeltorp
Ph: + 46 8 505 640 00
Fax: + 46 8 505 640 01
anders.nilsson@
byggplast-batprylar.se

Switzerland
Suter Trading Inc.
IM Schossacher 19
(Ind. Schorli)
CH-8600 Duebendorf
Ph: + 41 44 821 22 50
Fax: + 41 44 821 40 54
info@suter-trading.ch

Trinidad
Christopher Marshall
Budget Marine
Box 3189
Western Main Road
Chaguaramas
Ph: + 868 634 2006
Fax: + 868 634 4382
purchasing@budmar.co.tt

UK
Tony Evans
Meridian Zero
Curtis Marine Intl
Unit 20 Hornsby Square
Southfields Business Pk.
Laindon Essex SS15 6SD
Ph: + 44 0 1268 493200
Fax: + 44 0 1268 543439
tony@meridianzero.co.uk

USVI
Alvin Grauuz
Island Marine Supply
PO Box 305068
St Thomas 00803
Ph: + 340 776 3170
Fax: + 340 776 8123




SALES REPS
Patrick Gillet
Brunger Export Inc.
Headquarters
4901 N W 17th Way - 600
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 USA
Ph: + 954 928 1245
Fax: + 954 928 1644
info@brungerexport.com
www.brungerexport.com

Brunger Export Inc.
Asia & Pacific Sales Office
26947 Helmond Drive
Calabasas, CA 91301 USA
Ph: + 818 991 2491
Fax: + 818 991 2484
gxie@brungerexport.com

Asia Sales Office
Mr. Alain Chan
Brunger Export Inc.
15/FI., BLK D
Shui Wing Ind Bldg
12-22 Tai Yuen Street
Kwai Chung, NT
Hong Kong
Ph: + 852 2497 5778
Fax: + 852 2410 0223
chanalain@hongkong.com

European Sales Office
Mr. Bram Opsteeg
Brunger Export Company
Papestraat 21 B
2513 AV Den Haag
The Netherlands
Ph: + 31 70 356 2573
Fax: + 31 70 356 2864
bramopsteeg@zonnet.nl

All Other Inquiries
Barry Berhoff
Shurhold Industries
3119 SW 42nd Ave
Palm City, FL 3490-5558
USA
Ph: + 772 287 1313
Fax: + 772 286 9620
info@shurhold.com