USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT MAINTENANCE AND USE OF YOUR NEW CANOPY
CANOPY OPERATION
As with any new equipment it is important to familiarise yourself with the operation of your new canopy and its component parts. If you are present when our fitters install your canopy they will show you how the system works and how to dismantle & re-erect it. It is worthwhile practising the procedure a few times before venturing out onto the waterways.
Erecting the Canopy
The canopy is designed with the top seams aligned with the framework and it is important when re-erecting the hood to make sure they are aligned correctly. Incorrect alignment will cause the canopy to distort and could be potentially damaging over time. Simply push the frames into line with the seams and if necessary, where present, adjust the frame tensioning straps to hold the position. It is important that the canopy has the correct amount of tension in order to facilitate rainwater to run-off the cover. If it is allowed to sag there is a danger that water will “pool” in the cover. This can be very damaging as it will stretch the canvas out of shape permanently.
On Cruiser-Stern Narrowboats and Widebeams we install as standard a centre roof zip along the centre frame which allows the canopy top to split in half so that the front will fold forwards and the back will fold rearwards. This can be tricky to zip back together so we recommend that the tension be removed from the canopy by allowing the centre frame to fall forwards. Once the canopy is zipped back together the frame can be pushed back into position and the front straps re-tensioned.
Zips
Amtrim only uses Heavy Duty YKK branded zips in their canopies. These are very robust and will last the lifetime of the canopy if used and maintained properly. In operation, never force a zip. If it becomes stiff it is probably due to being pulled at the wrong angle or excess tension on the zip. It is advisable to lubricate the zips occasionally with a silicone spray; this will reduce friction and make the zip easy to slide.
Windows
The clear plastic window panels in your cover are possibly the most vulnerable part of the canopy as they can easily be scratched and damaged. It is important when dismantling the canopy or removing side panels to loosely fold the window sections or, better still, to roll them. Folding and “quartering” can cause permanent crease marks, or splits in the plastic, especially when cold.
The windows should be cleaned with warm soapy water and rinsed with clean water. They may be wiped with a soft cloth but ensure they are clear of any grit or other scratchy materials.
Fixings & Fasteners
Amtrim uses a variety of marine fasteners in the construction of covers depending on the type of boat and nature of use. All mechanical fixings will benefit from an occasional touch of grease or light oil to keep them working smoothly and reduce oxidisation in nickel/brass components. We recommend that this done routinely as part of your general maintenance schedule.
CLEANING AND WATERPROOFING
As a leading manufacturer of boat canopies and covers, the most frequently asked questions we receive are:
Throughout its lifetime, your boat canopy has to constantly endure nature’s elements. The greatest cause of problems for all types of boat cover is Ultra Violet from the sun, yes, even in the UK! Add to that, the effects of wind, rain and extremes of temperature and you realise how robust your covers need to be.
The first step in deciding how best to treat your canopy is to ascertain what type of material it is made from. The two most common fabrics are PVC-coated Polyester and Acrylic Canvas. If you’re unsure what type of fabric is on your boat here are some tips to help you identify them along with the best treatment for each:
PVC-coated Polyester
This is a fairly heavy fabric which tends to become stiff with age. It is generally coated with a PVC layer which has a grained texture on the top side and a smooth surface on the underside which is often silver/grey in colour. Some PVC’s have a canvas backing; these aren’t really suitable for boat covers although I have seen a fair few.
It’s fair to say that PVC covers are the lowest maintenance option; they can easily be cleaned using soapy water, a hosepipe or even a power-wash. They don’t require any special treatment and will never need re-waterproofing. However, the life of a PVC cover can be greatly extended with careful cleaning and use of a good PVC protector which provides a barrier against atmospheric pollutants and UV. We recommend "Sleek" upholstery cleaner for use on marine covers.It is ethically produced, evironmentally friendly (won't harm marine life) and can be used on most surfaces as an effective cleaner.
Acrylic Canvas
This is a lighter-weight fabric made from woven solution-dyed acrylic yarn and looks much like a traditional canvas material. It will retain its colour for many years and remain flexible throughout its lifetime but does require a little more care and maintenance.
To clean your canvas the recommended method is to use a mild , natural soap, luke-warm water and a soft brush. (Don’t use detergents as they can damage the waterproof coating on the canvas). Apply the soap solution using a trigger-spray bottle paying attention to any persistent soiled areas. Allow to soak into the dirt for a while before rinsing with clean water. If you use a brush be careful not to use it on the vinyl windows as they will scratch.
The most common causes of staining on canvas are black/brown
Mildew and green Algae/Moss.
Heavy Cleaning for Stubborn Stains and Mildew:
Acrylic fabrics do not promote mildew growth; however, mildew may grow on dirt and other foreign substances that are not removed from the fabric.
To clean stubborn stains:
Note: Use caution when using bleach solution and be careful not to allow it onto other areas which may be adversely affected.
Many marine canvas products, including covers, canopies and cockpit cushions, use “Sunbrella” brand fabrics. The Sunbrella website has detailed instructions on how to care for their canvas products which can be found at www.sunbrella.com/cleaning. The same principles may be applied to any marine acrylic canvas.
The “Dreaded Green”
Another common complaint with canvas is the appearance of green staining, especially along bottom edges or anywhere that water can collect. This is caused by algae or moss growth and can be effectively banished by brushing the affected areas with white vinegar, allowing to stand for half an hour before thoroughly rinsing.
Once your canvas is clean and dry, you will need to treat it to restore its water and stain repellency. This is a simple process in the form of trigger-spray which is applied directly on the clean canvas. As marine acrylic canvas is originally waterproofed using a Fluorocarbon agent it is not advisable to use silicon-based proofers as they will be rejected by the fluorocarbon-treated surface and be ineffective. Always re-proof with a fluorocarbon-based agent such as “ULTRAMAR” Sprayhood Protector.
CANOPY OPERATION
As with any new equipment it is important to familiarise yourself with the operation of your new canopy and its component parts. If you are present when our fitters install your canopy they will show you how the system works and how to dismantle & re-erect it. It is worthwhile practising the procedure a few times before venturing out onto the waterways.
Erecting the Canopy
The canopy is designed with the top seams aligned with the framework and it is important when re-erecting the hood to make sure they are aligned correctly. Incorrect alignment will cause the canopy to distort and could be potentially damaging over time. Simply push the frames into line with the seams and if necessary, where present, adjust the frame tensioning straps to hold the position. It is important that the canopy has the correct amount of tension in order to facilitate rainwater to run-off the cover. If it is allowed to sag there is a danger that water will “pool” in the cover. This can be very damaging as it will stretch the canvas out of shape permanently.
On Cruiser-Stern Narrowboats and Widebeams we install as standard a centre roof zip along the centre frame which allows the canopy top to split in half so that the front will fold forwards and the back will fold rearwards. This can be tricky to zip back together so we recommend that the tension be removed from the canopy by allowing the centre frame to fall forwards. Once the canopy is zipped back together the frame can be pushed back into position and the front straps re-tensioned.
Zips
Amtrim only uses Heavy Duty YKK branded zips in their canopies. These are very robust and will last the lifetime of the canopy if used and maintained properly. In operation, never force a zip. If it becomes stiff it is probably due to being pulled at the wrong angle or excess tension on the zip. It is advisable to lubricate the zips occasionally with a silicone spray; this will reduce friction and make the zip easy to slide.
Windows
The clear plastic window panels in your cover are possibly the most vulnerable part of the canopy as they can easily be scratched and damaged. It is important when dismantling the canopy or removing side panels to loosely fold the window sections or, better still, to roll them. Folding and “quartering” can cause permanent crease marks, or splits in the plastic, especially when cold.
The windows should be cleaned with warm soapy water and rinsed with clean water. They may be wiped with a soft cloth but ensure they are clear of any grit or other scratchy materials.
Fixings & Fasteners
Amtrim uses a variety of marine fasteners in the construction of covers depending on the type of boat and nature of use. All mechanical fixings will benefit from an occasional touch of grease or light oil to keep them working smoothly and reduce oxidisation in nickel/brass components. We recommend that this done routinely as part of your general maintenance schedule.
CLEANING AND WATERPROOFING
As a leading manufacturer of boat canopies and covers, the most frequently asked questions we receive are:
- How do I clean my covers?
- How can I protect my covers?
Throughout its lifetime, your boat canopy has to constantly endure nature’s elements. The greatest cause of problems for all types of boat cover is Ultra Violet from the sun, yes, even in the UK! Add to that, the effects of wind, rain and extremes of temperature and you realise how robust your covers need to be.
The first step in deciding how best to treat your canopy is to ascertain what type of material it is made from. The two most common fabrics are PVC-coated Polyester and Acrylic Canvas. If you’re unsure what type of fabric is on your boat here are some tips to help you identify them along with the best treatment for each:
PVC-coated Polyester
This is a fairly heavy fabric which tends to become stiff with age. It is generally coated with a PVC layer which has a grained texture on the top side and a smooth surface on the underside which is often silver/grey in colour. Some PVC’s have a canvas backing; these aren’t really suitable for boat covers although I have seen a fair few.
It’s fair to say that PVC covers are the lowest maintenance option; they can easily be cleaned using soapy water, a hosepipe or even a power-wash. They don’t require any special treatment and will never need re-waterproofing. However, the life of a PVC cover can be greatly extended with careful cleaning and use of a good PVC protector which provides a barrier against atmospheric pollutants and UV. We recommend "Sleek" upholstery cleaner for use on marine covers.It is ethically produced, evironmentally friendly (won't harm marine life) and can be used on most surfaces as an effective cleaner.
Acrylic Canvas
This is a lighter-weight fabric made from woven solution-dyed acrylic yarn and looks much like a traditional canvas material. It will retain its colour for many years and remain flexible throughout its lifetime but does require a little more care and maintenance.
To clean your canvas the recommended method is to use a mild , natural soap, luke-warm water and a soft brush. (Don’t use detergents as they can damage the waterproof coating on the canvas). Apply the soap solution using a trigger-spray bottle paying attention to any persistent soiled areas. Allow to soak into the dirt for a while before rinsing with clean water. If you use a brush be careful not to use it on the vinyl windows as they will scratch.
The most common causes of staining on canvas are black/brown
Mildew and green Algae/Moss.
Heavy Cleaning for Stubborn Stains and Mildew:
Acrylic fabrics do not promote mildew growth; however, mildew may grow on dirt and other foreign substances that are not removed from the fabric.
To clean stubborn stains:
- Prepare a solution of 1 cup bleach and 1/4 cup of mild soap per gallon of clean water.
- Soak affected area in solution for 15 minutes.
- Blot stain with a sponge or clean towel. (Note: This step should be avoided when cleaning the coated side
- Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
- Air Dry.
Note: Use caution when using bleach solution and be careful not to allow it onto other areas which may be adversely affected.
Many marine canvas products, including covers, canopies and cockpit cushions, use “Sunbrella” brand fabrics. The Sunbrella website has detailed instructions on how to care for their canvas products which can be found at www.sunbrella.com/cleaning. The same principles may be applied to any marine acrylic canvas.
The “Dreaded Green”
Another common complaint with canvas is the appearance of green staining, especially along bottom edges or anywhere that water can collect. This is caused by algae or moss growth and can be effectively banished by brushing the affected areas with white vinegar, allowing to stand for half an hour before thoroughly rinsing.
Once your canvas is clean and dry, you will need to treat it to restore its water and stain repellency. This is a simple process in the form of trigger-spray which is applied directly on the clean canvas. As marine acrylic canvas is originally waterproofed using a Fluorocarbon agent it is not advisable to use silicon-based proofers as they will be rejected by the fluorocarbon-treated surface and be ineffective. Always re-proof with a fluorocarbon-based agent such as “ULTRAMAR” Sprayhood Protector.