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Routine Maintenance
CAUTION
CAUTION
• Stainless Steel can normally be cleaned and
protected by using a high quality boat or au-
tomotive wax or a commercial metal cleaner
and protectant.
Never do the following on Stainless Steel.
• Do not use coarse abrasives like sandpaper or
steel wool which may actually cause rusting.
• Do not use acids or bleaches which may etch
the naturally occurring protective coating.
• Do not leave stainless steel in contact with
iron, steel or other metals which cause con-
tamination leading to rust or corrosion.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD ANY ABRASIVE
MATERIALS SUCH AS SANDPAPER, BRONZE WOOL OR STEEL
WOOL BE USED ON STAINLESS STEEL. DAMAGE TO THE
HARDWARE WILL RESULT.
Anodized Aluminum Surfaces
Anodized aluminum should be washed periodi-
cally with soap and water to keep it clean. If the
boat is used in saltwater or polluted water, the
aluminum should be washed with soap and water
after each use. Saltwater allowed to remain on
anodized aluminum will penetrate the anodized
coating and attack the aluminum.
Hardtops, bimini tops or T-tops with canvas and/
or berglass tops require special attention to the
anodized aluminum just below the top. This area
is subject to salt build up from salty condensation
and sea spray. It is also frequently overlooked
when the boat is washed and will not be rinsed by
the rain. Consequently, the aluminum just below
the top is more likely to become pitted than the ex-
posed aluminum on the structure. Make sure the
aluminum in this area is washed frequently with
soap and water and rinsed thoroughly. Pay par-
ticular attention to places where the top material
or lacing contact the frame. Once a month coat
the entire frame with a metal protector made for
anodized aluminum to protect against pitting and
corrosion caused by the harsh effects of saltwater.
Do not use automotive or boat wax designed for
paint or gel coat on anodized aluminum. The wax
can contaminate the aluminum and damage the
anodized surface.
ONE DRAWBACK TO METAL PROTECTORS IS THAT THEY CAN
MAKE THE METAL SLIPPERY. THEREFORE, THEY SHOULD BE
NOT BE USED ON TOWER LADDERS, STEERING WHEELS AND
OTHER AREAS WHERE A GOOD GRIP AND SURE FOOTING IS
IMPORTANT.
Stains can be removed with a metal polish or
ne polishing compound. To minimize corrosion,
use only high quality stainless steel fasteners on
aluminum fabrications. Isolate the fasteners from
the aluminum by using ber washers and caulking
compound or Tef Gel to bed hardware and fas-
teners mounted to aluminum fabrications. If the
anodized coating is badly scratched, it will require
special attention and more frequent cleaning to
the damaged area. With proper care, anodized
aluminum will provide many years of service.
Powder Coated Aluminum
Powder coated aluminum should be washed peri-
odically with soap and water to keep it clean. If
the boat is used in saltwater or polluted water,
the aluminum should be washed with soap and
water after each use. Saltwater allowed to remain
on powder coated aluminum will penetrate the
coating and attack the aluminum, usually around
fasteners and hardware mounted to the aluminum.
Pay special attention to the area just below the
top. This area is subject to salt buildup from salty
condensation and sea spray. It is also frequently
overlooked when the boat is washed and will not
be rinsed by the rain. Consequently, the powder
coating near fasteners and hardware mounted
just below the top is more likely to be attacked by
the salt and become corroded than the exposed
areas on the structure. Make sure the aluminum
in this area is washed frequently with soap and
water and rinsed thoroughly. Pay particular atten-
tion to places where the top material and lacing
contact the frame.
Once a month check the entire frame for damaged
powder coating and corrosion around fasteners
and hardware. Nicked or badly scratched pow-
der coating can be sanded and touched up with
enamel paint. Corrosion will have to be sanded,
then touched up with paint. Periodically applying
automotive or boat wax to the powder coating with
will provide additional protection from the harsh
effects of saltwater.
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