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Protect your interior before it’s too late.
I’m privileged enough to share office space with a custom marine canvas
& upholstery shop, so I often see very expensive projects being
created and installed on some of the most impressive yachts in the
world. In between all the multi-million dollar mega-ships, there are
also plenty of mid-size recreational vessels of every type installing
new canvas or having upholstery refurbished.
The high demand for custom interior work and the amount a boater is willing to spend to get exactly what they are looking for never ceases to amaze me. Regardless of the financial investment, it makes good sense to try to keep the project looking fresh and clean for as long as possible. The same idea holds true when purchasing a new or pre-owned boat. We all want to keep our prized possession in the absolute best possible condition. Our boats are our babies.
All experienced boaters will tell you that accidents happen both big and small - they are simply an unavoidable reality of living. For the fabrics on the interior side of our boat, such as carpet, overhead upholstery, cushions, pillows etc. we can expect accidental spills and messes will eventually occur no matter how careful we are. Our cuddy cabins and salons are challenged in the toughest environment every time we board our vessels. And though we want to keep everything looking at its best, we’re really only willing to make a limited number of sacrifices for the sake of fabric preservation. We’re not going to stop eating and drinking when we’re out on the water, and we sure aren’t going to stop fishing.
With regular cleaning, carpeting and fabric can retain their appearance, but no matter how much we try and prevent them, stains are unavoidable. Beverages, ‘fishy’ hand prints, oil, ink, pet stains, food, sweat, etc. can all spell an early demise of an otherwise perfect piece of cabin carpet or comfy cushion. The key to keeping stains out and to protect your vessel’s interior is to treat your fabrics BEFORE an accident occurs, regardless if you’re island hopping in a 55’ sportfish or booze-cruising the intracoastal in a 28’ cuddy.
This is where a fabric protectant comes into play. We’ve all seen late night infomercials touting magic potions that claim to remove impossible, caked on stains off bright white linens. Yeh right! You show me a cleaner that can completely remove dry fish blood off an entryway carpet that’s been walked all over for years, then I’ll be impressed. Rather than waiting for accidental spills and messes to occur, there are specially formulated fabric protectants designed to waterproof and provide a protective barrier before a stain ever have a chance to permanently set-in.
Since I’ve been employed in the marine cleaning/care industry for more years than I care to remember, I’ve seen many such products come and go. But one in particular has proven its effectiveness over and over; DCS Formula 19. This revolutionary fabric protectant doesn’t just coat, it bonds to the fibers of the fabric to lock stains out, while still allowing the material to breathe. It will not change the color, texture, or feel of the fabric and one treatment will last for 3 – 5 years. I use it on my own boat and I feel obligated to tell you, this stuff really works!
I did some research and found out that DCS Formula 19 Fabric Protectant has been tested and proven in extreme high-traffic applications such as major hotels, casinos, hospitals, government buildings, homes, autos and RVs where its proven its effectiveness on upholstery, carpets, bedding and clothing. It’s equally effective on almost any natural or synthetic material (except vinyl, which has its own unique properties). It is safe for silk, leather and furs; yet it’s tough enough for marine carpeting and cushions.
The formula’s waterproof properties also make it an excellent choice for re-treating Sunbrellaâ Fabrics (covers and boat tops). Treatment on an external cover will last 1 – 2 years.
Maybe you’ve seen DCS Formula 19 featured on Ship Shape TV with John Greviskis? Either way, it’s absolutely great at preventing stains. But remember, it’s not a cleaner. DCS Formula 19 Fabric Protectant is exactly that, a protectant, so it has to be applied prior to accidental spills.
Treatment of your interior fabrics couldn’t be any easier. On new or cleaned material, simply apply a light to medium coat in a sweeping motion from the convenient spray can, overlapping each sweep over the edge of the last until the surface is thoroughly coated. Allow the formula to cure and bond into the fabric and you are protected. Curing time varies between 12 and 24 hours depending on the exact material and amount of DCS-19 applied. Exterior covers should have a medium to heavy coat to protect against stains and mildew. DCS Formula 19 is conveniently packaged in 10 oz. spray cans or available in gallon jugs to apply with spray bottles or garden type sprayers for large applications. Once treated, maintain the fabric as normal.
Along with its effectiveness, what separates DCS Formula 19 aside from the competition is that it’s non-slippery, non-sticky, and will not harm paints, gel-coats, wood, varnish, tile or decals. Although it has been sprayed on clear vinyl panels without harm, care should be taken to avoid contact with Lexan and Eisenglass panels (Strataglass included).
Once your fabric is treated, most spills and potential stains will blot right out with a clean, damp towel. If the stain agent dries, spray the area with warm water to bring it back to a solution, and then continue as above.
What better way to service your boat than to protect its interior before fish guts and salty grim leave a permanent impression. It’s an investment of only a few bucks and a few minutes that will keep your prized possession in mint condition.
Find out more about this revolutionary product by visiting www.DCS19.com or www.ScaliseMarine.com.
About the author: Randy Bouffler is the sales manager and webmaster for Scalise Marine. The company was established to assist boaters in making the correct decisions when it comes to maintaining their boats and accessories. ScaliseMarine.com has since become one of the premier web-based Marine Stores in the country.
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