13 - HULL AND FURNITURE MAINTENANCE387
Component Maintenance Notes and precautions
Wood and upholstery Regular cleaning The worst enemies of these materials are light and humidity; to protect them, they must be
kept away from direct light as much as possible and the interior must be ventilated as soon
as the weather conditions allow. The use of external awnings is extremely important because
there is no species of wood, either natural or dyed, which, when exposed to the sun’s rays,
does not undergo a change in colour.
The woods used for the yacht’s ttings are exclusively natural-based materials carefully se-
lected and the painting cycles with which they are treated comply with environmental regula-
tions. Furniture made of wood, precisely because of the natural origin of both the material and
the treatments, may be subject, if not properly treated and maintained, to:
• Colour variations due to exposure to direct and continuous light. It is advisable to shade
the heavily exposed parts with the internal curtains supplied with the yacht;
• Retention of dirt if not cleaned promptly, given the characteristic absorbency of wood -
bres. It is recommended to use non-aggressive products;
• Scratches and marks if in contact with sharp or metallic objects, due to the inevitable rela-
tive “softness” of the wood.
Even if the production processes have been carefully studied and tested, the furnishings and
ttings made of natural wood may undergo variations in colour over time due to the “natural”
maturation of the material due to ageing.
Despite the painting cycles developed after many years of experience, wood remains a “living”
material, and therefore subject to movement and settlement. Scratches caused by impacts
must be repaired immediately, to prevent the blackening of the wood underneath.
The technical staff of the RIVA Service Department will advise you about the maintenance
level you have to apply at the end of each season’s use. Correct maintenance will allow you
to avoid deterioration which is expensive to repair.
CAUTION
The extremely precious nishes of the polish-varnished woods used for bathroom oors
and cockpit tables is the result of careful work: they are water resistant but at the same time
delicate and need careful maintenance. Such surfaces must therefore be dried after use or
after rain and must be washed and maintained regularly.
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