The Cost of Repairing vs. Replacing Boat Seats
Despite regular maintenance and care, it’s likely your boat seats will sustain damage as your it ages. Consider your options… Refurbish vs replace with Color Glo International. Save up to 70% and bring worn, torn and sun-faded vinyl and plastics back to new!
Repairing vs. Replacing Boat Seats
The summer has come to an end, sadly… Boat owners are quite used to the right of passage of being a boat owner, which includes plenty of maintenance. Some people address repairs in the spring - some tackle them in the fall so spring is more fluid ritual of actually getting to the water.
Despite regular maintenance and care, it’s likely your boat seats will sustain damage as your it ages. Marine-grade vinyl is durable, water-resistant, and not prone to fading. But wear and tear is inevitable. Stepping on and off the boat also adds additional wear on the surfaces as your feet or shoes dig in for stability. Eventually, even marine-grade vinyl will fade or crack, and constant exposure to water makes mildew a concern.
As your boat gets a layer of dirt and dinge that becomes harder to remove over the years, you may find yourself vising a boat show or looking at websites for upgrade solutions. But the price of new boats is heavy stuff, specifically in today's financial environment. Supply chain issues, rising oil prices, inflation, and labor shortages are causing the price of boats to hit record highs - still. The price of fiberglass outboard boats is up almost 10% from 2019. While prices are starting to find their peak, buying a new boat (amongst other toys) may be out of reach for many people.
Cost of Reupholstery
If your boat’s vinyl seats, hard plastic areas, and even windshields are showing signs of age and wear, you may want to consider your options. You might immediately think that re-upholstering is the way to go. While this option is definitely cheaper than replacing or buying new, it can still be very expensive. You can expect to pay upwards of $500 to reupholster a captain’s chair and somewhere in the ballpark of $100 - $300 per cushion. Hourly rates may range from $50 - $100 per hour in boat upholstery repair costs.
You’ll also have to dock the boat while this work is being done. Depending on your vendor and how they work, this could cut into your summer boating fun.
The Color Glo solution
Color Glo International grounds its business in refurbishing vs replacing. A much more cost-effective solution is to repair your damaged surfaces on-site with a CGI specialist at your location. Color Glo is a national and international leader in leather and vinyl restoration and boat upholstery repair.
Color Glo International’s specialists use water-based products and are trained in the latest restoration techniques to make repairs on-site (in your boat) and save you money. From serving marinas to boat dealers to boat owners, Color Glo has the tools and experience to get the job done right. Our technicians can restore boat seats, tops, engine enclosures, ceilings, beds, and carpeting. They repair and re-dye tears, holes, scuffs, and scratches. We can even re-dye/re-color vinyl and plastics.
Want a new boat? Change its look!
Preventing damage
Once a Color Glo franchise has come to visit you and repair cracks, sun-fading, cloudy plastic shields, tears, burns, and more you may want to take some steps to prolong the life of your newly refurbished marine equipment.
Just like if you were to remove your boat from the water after every use, you’ll want to keep it clean in between uses. No doubt, while you're having fun in the sun, spills will happen, and crumbs and other food will fall to the floor. You’ll want to wipe, vacuum, or clean these up quickly. You can also install vents in your boat cover to allow the interior of your boat to properly dry when you close it up for the evening. It’s also important to deep clean your boat a couple of times a month when it gets frequent use. Gentle cleansers and soft cloths work well both inside and outside of your boat.
Request a free quote
Color Glo International can help with many upgrades inside of your marine equipment We can refurbish your plastic, vinyl, and upholstery while working on-site, at your location. Burns, fading, tears, etc, will all be restored to new, saving you up to 70% over buying new.
Contact a Color Glo Specialist about your Boat restoration project.
Mobile Repair Service Helps Boat Owners Get Sailing
If you’re like the people of our home state of Minnesota, you like your boats. But boating season brings repairs - let a Color Glo Specialist come to your for upholstery, vinyl, leather and plastic repair.
Behold It Is Boating Season
If you’re like the people of our home state of Minnesota, you like your boats. Boating is a family and friends activity that is shared worldwide and due to COVID-19; it has been partially on hold for many boat owners. Restrictions on public docks and slips and as well as the availability of boat repair shops have slowed down the process of hitting the water.
Many people who have private docks or the ability to put in someplace have had the lake itch and went out as soon as humanly possible. And after slathering on sunscreen, packing up your clothing and water gear, the last thing you want to encounter at the dock is a problem with your boat that puts the family fun on hold.
But, if you’re one of the 12 million registered boat owners in the United States, then you know there’s a price to relaxing on the water. Boats require frequent maintenance and upkeep. Most boat owners find that annual maintenance costs add up to about 10 percent of the cost of the boat.
Upholstery maintenance
In addition to the boat’s engine and electrical components, one of the top items to maintain on any watercraft is the canvas and upholstery. Color Glo International offers on-site repair services for a quick and convenient solution to get you out of the marina and back on the water.
High-stress areas
One area of the boat that often gets overlooked is that back seat section or rear of the boat. It really depends what you use your boat for, but if recreation is its purpose then you are the target customer for repair services in this area. People stepping on the back seats and rear deck after tubing, water skiing or cock-tailing on floaties can cause serious wear and tear. Stepping on cushions can cause a lot of direct stress to the seat and its coating. You just might find them to be cracked and in need of repair right now as you are sliding into the lake.
Damage by winter visitors
It’s possible you haven’t noticed more hidden damage. Mice are an issue we are finding regularity with our boat owners. And though mice can literally chew through wires, harnesses, tubing and other important electrical elements, the most common issue we find after winter storage is damage to cushions. They find their way into the filling and take up residence for the colder months leaving you with, well... expense.
Though it will really depend on the peice and the damage, but generally speaking a Color Glo restoration specialist can bring your marine leather, vinyl and cushion back to life for 70% - 90% cheaper than buying new. And we come to you!
Just check out these before & after pics.
Sun-fading
The sun can damage and fade your boat’s upholstery, making it look worn and tired. CGI Specialists are trained to expertly repair and re-dye tears. They can fix holes, scuffs and scratches too, even cigarette burns, punctures and more. Their restoration techniques can refresh the appearance of your boat and make it look like it did when you first set sail.
We’re not just about boats
Though this is the boating season, Color Glo International onsite repair services cover so much more. Make that old boat, camper or RV look like new again! Color Glo can Restore, Repair, Clean as well as renew or often change the color of Leather, Vinyl, Cloth, Velour, Woodgrain, Fabric, Hard Plastic & Carpet used on Motorcycles, ATVs, Boats, Jet Skis, Motor Homes, Campers and much more!
Color Glo can restore all the interior of your beautiful and hard earned watercraft and recreational vehicles. Whether it be vinyl, boat carpet or even hard plastic, we can make the interior of your boat look new again. Who knows... you may even find our products make your boat look even better than new! Color Glo specialists can perform these services:
Seats and beds repair.
Boat tops restoration.
Engine enclosures restoration.
Mildew removal.
Woodgrain restoration.
Hard plastic repair
Color Glo Specialist Can Help
Color Glo International is the industry leader in restoring furniture, boats, RV's, aircraft, commercial equipment & more. Color Glo specialists can repair or clean anything from rips, tears, burns, frayed stitching, beverage & food stains, lipstick, ink stains, and everything in between. Give a Color Glo certified technician a call. We are mobile and offer onsite service so there is little inconvenience to you, our customer!
Our repairs and cleaning are environmentally safe and children/pet friendly. We use water-based products so you don’t have the dingy chemical feeling after we’ve completed our service. We even have general cleaning kits to provide you for the next time you find yourself needing a spot removal product that really works!
Why Care And Restoration of Recreational Vehicles is So Important
You’ve waited far too long through the brutal winter months. Now that it is springtime and you’ve housed the winter toys, you are itching to get your jet ski back in the Minnesota waters, your motorcycle back on the streets and your ATV back on the trail. We don’t blame you.
Color Restoration for Recreational Vehicles
If you live here in the midwest or in an area of the world where the four seasons come and go, then you may participate in outdoor life through a garage full of gas-fueled machines. And it’s that time of year when spring is showing its face here in the upper mid-west, Minnesota and we get excited about these machines. The sun is shining, the snow is melting and people are emerging to the sidewalks from their long winter slumber.
The first signs of spring are evident when ice fishing houses come off the lake and snow mobiles and sleds go back into storage. We can then look forward to the soothing sounds of jet skis, ATV’s, motorcycles and other warm weather indicators that fill our roads, trails and lakes. You may also be a boat owner and are looking forward to de-winterizing it and hoisting its sails.
It’s possible your ice fishing house needs a little color restoration…
Photo: telegraphjournal.com
How to prepare your recreational vehicles for summer
You’ve waited far too long through the brutal winter months. Now that it is springtime and you’ve housed the winter toys, you are itching to get your jet ski back in the Minnesota waters, your motorcycle back on the streets and your ATV back on the trail. We don’t blame you.
And every single year, you may find that it never fails - you’ve pulled your jet ski or other machine out from storage and you notice damage from the previous season that needs to be repaired. You may even have holes and damage from a mouse in the upholstery and wiring harnesses. Though mechanical damage needs be addressed at your local shop, the visual condition of your investments also needs some attention.
Just like your boats, automobiles, aircraft, home furniture and other lifestyle investments, recreational vehicles require maintenance, restoration and love.
So how about that mouse?
Do you still think they are cute? They love to seek warmth in the colder months and your boats, jet skis, ATV’s and other recreational vehicles in storage provide the perfect shelter with plenty of options for building nests. Though mice can literally chew through wires, harnesses, tubing and other important electrical elements, the most common issue we find after winter storage is damage to cushions. They find their way into the filling and take up residence for the colder months leaving you with spring expenses.
Though it will really depend on the piece and the damage, but generally speaking a Color Glo restoration specialist can bring your marine leather, vinyl and cushions back to life for 70% - 90% cheaper than buying new. And we’ll come right to your garage!
Image: Pontoonpedia.com
The Professional At Color Glo Can Help
Color Glo specialists come to you. We've been doing it for over 45 years and have built incredible relationships with recreational vehicle owners. All of our repairs are done on-site, meaning you can save time and money during the restoration process.
Our franchisees can fix just about anything. With Color Glo, you can make one call to fix almost everything in the dash, seating, interior, headlights and some exterior paneling. We repair and restore vinyl, leather, fabric, plastic, and carpet to a like-new condition. Some recreational vehicles we love are:
Snow mobiles
ATV’s
Jet skis
Wave runners
Motorcycles
Boats (big and small)
and more…
Think of it as a full makeover. If you're looking to sell your home, you may hire a professional painter to give a brand new feel and give the rooms a flow that leads you through the house. The emotional piece of spending money is very real when it comes to home, cars, RV's and other items of large expense. In your RV's, Color Glo can dye surfaces like vinyl, plastic, leather, rubber and more. We can also repair and restore scratches, tears, and burns to new. Keeping these investments like new helps their resale value and keeps your enjoyment level high.
Repair vs. Replace
Repairing and restoring the features on recreational vehicles can help make the cost of replacement cheaper. In fact, it will be much less in most cases. You can expect to see as much as a 70% savings when restoring to new with Color Glo and you can demand top dollar for your slightly used RV's.
Recreational Vehicle vs. Automobile
As a jet ski or ATV owner, keeping your machines cleaned and conditioned is your first priority. Your use patterns on these investments are much different than your car and the potential for damage is high. A marine vehicle needs to be protected from the continual exposure to water and sun. Even when left uncovered overnight, the dampness can cause moisture and dew to sit on the surfaces of the jet ski or wave runner and cause long-term damage. You may not notice it, but one day you'll wake up and it will be sudden damage that you were not expecting.
For ATV’s you probably purpose them for off road fun, hauling and property work. They get beat to death by dirt, stones, fences, water hazards and more. Annual, if not monthly, maintenance is crucial for these investments to look good and work properly.
Having a list of general care practices which includes cleaning and protection will help your recreational vehicles last for many, many years. And keeping your watercraft and ATV’s covered when not in use will increase the life of your plastic, vinyl and leather surfaces by avoiding unnecessary exposure to the elements. You learn more about cleaning watercraft at this great article by Color Glo Specialist Brenda in Michigan, "Top 4 Tips For Cleaning Marine Vinyl Interior".
How Color Glo can help
Boat/marine/wave runner and ATV repair can be done for plastic, vinyl, various fabrics, and upholstery. If you have cracks, rips, holes, scratches, fades, stains or burns on the interior or exterior, then restoration is a great option for you.
Color Glo can restore all the interior of your beautiful and hard earned watercraft and recreational vehicles. Whether it be vinyl, boat carpet or even hard plastic, we can make it look new again. Who knows... if you purchased your recreational vehicle new, you may even find our products make your investment look even better than new! Color Glo specialists can perform these services:
Jet Ski plastic restoration.
Wave runner plastic restoration.
Watercraft vinyl restoration and repair.
ATV plastic & headlight restoration.
ATV fabric and vinyl restoration.
Motorcycle plastic, vinyl, headlight and leather repair.
Seats and beds repair.
Boat tops restoration.
Engine enclosures restoration.
Mildew removal.
Woodgrain restoration.
Hard plastic repair
Help Your Toys Find Their Pasture Faster.
Our professional mobile franchisees come to you, to repair damaged and dirty leather, plastic and vinyl on all types of boats, yachts and personal watercraft, ATV’s and even your 52 foot, cigarette runner.
Color Restoration and So Much More
Color Glo International is the world leader in restoration and repair of leather, vinyl, velour, cloth and hard plastics commonly found in the markets of automotive, aircraft, marine and furniture. Formally incorporated in 1975 Color Glo began franchising in 1982. Today we can be found in hundreds of markets throughout world. Color Glo products are proven everyday to offer the correct results and best value every time they are put to the test.
Color restoration and more
Color Glo International is the world leader in restoration and repair of leather, vinyl, velour, cloth and hard plastics commonly found in the markets of automotive, aircraft, marine and furniture. Formally incorporated in 1975 Color Glo began franchising in 1982. Today we can be found in hundreds of markets throughout world. Color Glo products are proven everyday to offer the correct results and best value every time they are put to the test.
We initially began our franchising in the United States and have since then expanded into Canada and over 50 countries worldwide. Our focus is restoring and repairing common defects such as worn and faded interior components such as leather upholstery, headliners, burns and broken plastic or composite molding. These problems are found in the interior of every automobile, RV, truck sports vehicle, plane or boat in use today. You can learn a bit more about How RV Owners and Dealers Benefit From Color Glo.
A Little Bit of History
Since it’s beginning in 1975, Color Glo has become the recognized leader in the mobile automotive reconditioning industry. Founded by Everett C. Smith to address the growing demands, Color Glo has from the very beginning been the benchmark of this industry. Having been in the reconditioning industry for years, Mr. Smith knew that the existing products were not of the quality he would need to build a strong and successful brand. Although it was very costly and challenging, he decided that for his company, the only direction that would satisfy his pursuit of perfection and quality was to formulate his own line of exclusive and proprietary products.
Color Glo opened their own research and development labs to formulate the best products in this industry. He hired chemists that had strong backgrounds in new product formulation and research, and over a period of several years is team developed the original Color Glo proprietary line of restoration and repair products. Today the original 8 products in the line have grown to over 100 different and unique products. Each of the over 100 products are developed and selected to work seamlessly within the Color Glo system.
What We Do
This table gives you an overview of the materials we fix, where they’re found and the specific problems we can repair, restore or re-dye. We can find a solution for any problems that arise where these materials are found.
Color Glo Specialists
Our Color Glo franchises are located around the globe. In the US our 75+ franchises are all mobile units. They come to you! Color Glo's mobile-based technicians will come to your home, office or other location to repair damaged plastic, vinyl, leather, fabric and upholstery. Worn, torn, stained, burned, scratched or otherwise damaged materials can be restored to like new for just a fraction of the cost of replacement.
We are located internationally in over 50 countries. These are location-based shops, set up to provide complete and professional repair and restoration services.
You can find all our CGI International franchises on our website location finder under “Locations”.
Renewable Resources
A very relevant attribute to Color Glo is our commitment to the environment and our commitment to be a green company. Color Glo’s process uses specially formulated proprietary water based and environmentally friendly, non flammable, odor free products.
Our environment is a growing concern and special factors are often taken into consideration when a potential customer is choosing a company for repair and/or restoration. This is where Color Glo comes in. Special attention given now to these considerations can be used to our advantage highlighting the continued implementation and research Color Glo International Environmental impact of products (subject to strict quality controls according to ASTM standards) that led to the creation of color-based eco-friendly, water based, odorless and nontoxic products.
Our environmental policy is based on the belief that no one operates in isolation. Everyone shares the same earth, and everything we do matters to those around us. At Color Glo International, we put people first. The health, safety, and welfare of our customers, employees, and the people of the communities we serve are paramount. That is why we take our commitment to environmental stewardship seriously and have developed specific principles to guide us in our work. At Color Glo, we will ensure that our employees & franchisees have the training, skills and knowledge necessary to adhere to these principles.
Color Restoration and So Much More
Color Glo international and Color Glo franchisees world-wide are specialists in color restoration and repair of vinyl surfaces, accessories and furniture. Color Glo specialists are available to help restore your valuable property. We offer an on-site service, safety and convenience, eliminating the downtime of transport and ensuring our best work. Our work is permanent and environmentally safe. Color Glo specialists use non-flammable, odorless, water-based products that dry quickly.
Keep your investment for years to come. Revitalize. Restore. Save money. Contact us today for more information.
It's Time To Unleash The Boat - And Repair It...
If you're a boat owner, your favorite time of year has already made its presence felt - specifically in our hometown of Minneapolis, MN. Has your boat hit the water yet? It seems for many that the answer is "not yet".
Has your boat hit the water yet?
If you're a boat owner, your favorite time of year has already made its presence felt - specifically in our hometown of Minneapolis, MN. Though it took a long while for spring to rear its head, it's finally here and headed into summer. Has your boat hit the water yet? It seems for many that the answer is "not yet".
If you are in this group of "not yet" then you are probably noticing the cobwebs and memories of last year's season draping all over your lake-going vessel. What felt winterized and stored in pristine shape, now looks dreary and far from sparkling clean. Often times, you find the mold that decided to plant itself on your favorite cushion or chair. It's possible a mouse found his way into your storage bins or engine compartment, leaving wires and hoses damaged and in need of repair. Your dash is suddenly dry and cracked after several years of use. What do you do?
Uffda! Does your boat look like this?
Some tips and advice for boat restoration
As the world's leading on-site repair and restoration franchise company, we have a few thoughts on repairing your boat's most used areas. Color Glo Specialists have plenty of experience when it comes to high traffic wear, chips, and cracks.
High-stress areas
One area of the boat that may "creep up on you" is that back seat section or rear of the boat. It really depends what you use your boat for, but if recreation is its purpose then you are the target for this sentiment. People stepping on the back seats and rear deck after tubing, water skiing or cocktailing on floaties can cause serious wear and tear. Stepping on cushions can cause a lot of direct stress to the seat and its coating. You just might find them to be cracked and in need of repair this spring/summer.
“Stepping on the back seats after cocktailing on floaties can cause searious wear and tear.”
How about that mouse?
Cute little guys... warmth is what they seek and your boat is the perfect shelter with plenty of options for making a nest. Though mice can literally chew through wires, harnesses, tubing and other important electrical elements, the most common issue we find after winter storage is damage to cushions. They find their way into the filling and take up residence for the colder months leaving you with, well... expense.
Though it will really depend on the piece and the damage, but generally speaking a Color Glo restoration specialist can bring your marine leather, vinyl and cusion back to life for 70% - 90% cheaper than buying new. And we come to you!
Color Glo on location around the world for boat and marine restoration
Boat vs. Automobile
As a boat-owner, keeping your boat cleaned and conditioned is your first priority. Your boat's use patterns are much different than your car and the potential for damage is high. A boat needs to be protected from the continual exposure to water and sun. Even when your boat is left uncovered overnight, the dampness can cause moisture and dew to sit on the surfaces of the boat and cause long-term damage. You may not notice it, but one day you'll wake up and it will be sudden damage that you were not expecting.
“As a boat-owner, keeping your boat cleaned and conditioned is your first priority.”
Having a list of general care practices which includes cleaning and protection will help your boat last for many, many years. And keep your watercraft covered when not in use will increase the life of your plastic, vinyl and leather surfaces by avoiding unnecessary exposure to the elements. You learn more about cleaning your boat at this great article by Color Glo Specialist Brenda in Michigan, "Top 4 Tips For Cleaning Marine Vinyl Interior".
How Color Glo can help
Boat/marine repair can be done for marine plastic, vinyl, various fabrics, and upholstery. If you have cracks, rips, holes, scratches, fades, stains or burns in your boat's interior, then restoration is a great option for you.
Color Glo can restore all the interior of your beautiful and hard earned watercraft and recreational vehicles. Whether it be vinyl, boat carpet or even hard plastic, we can make the interior of your boat look new again. Who knows... you may even find our products make your boat look even better than new! Color Glo specialists can perform these services:
Seats and beds repair.
Boat tops restoration.
Engine enclosures restoration.
Mildew removal.
Woodgrain restoration.
Hard plastic repair
Help Your Boat Find The Lake Faster.
Our professional mobile franchisees come to you, to repair damaged and dirty leather, plastic and vinyl on all types of boats, yachts and personal watercraft, and even your 52 foot, cigarette runner.