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.
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.
Restaurants Save Money by Repairing, Not Replacing
Restaurant managers and owners can develop very strong relationships with quality repair and restoration professionals. And they should; having a leather, vinyl, and color restoration specialist in your back pocket is a crucial element to your profitability in a business with so much wear and tear on your bottom line
Repairing vs. Replacing in Restaurants
Restaurant managers and owners can develop very strong relationships with quality repair and restoration professionals. And they should; having a leather, vinyl, and color restoration specialist in your back pocket is a crucial element to your profitability in a business with so much wear and tear on your bottom line.
Full-service professionals can repair the deepest cracks, rips and tears to leather and vinyl surfaces, leaving them looking like new.
Been there. Done that. We've all sat at a booth or table at a restaurant and noticed that there are rips, tears, or even potentially ages old cigarette burns (in the case of "vintage" joints). At any rate, something is in dire need of repair. And there's nothing worse than sitting at a booth or bench that that rips and cracks below your legs or a table that has deep scratches or chips in your eating area. You may have also been in restaurants that have excessive sun damage on chairs, window treatments and other areas, making the space you are sitting in feel old and dated. It takes your experience right down the tubes.
If you're a restaurant owner or manager, then this is just part of the gig. Certain areas of a dining room can really suffer from wear and tear of high customer traffic. The cost of replacing these items, unfortunately, can be brutally expensive when you consider how many booths, tables, and chairs sustain damage and wear throughout a restaurant's lifetime.
“Restaurant managers and owners can develop very strong relationships with quality repair and restoration professionals.”
A Cost-effective Solution
So how does one reduce the massive expensive of operational wear and tear in the restaurant business? That's where Color Glo International comes in. As a solution to this common problem, many restaurant owners are partnering with companies that repair and restore damage to vinyl, leather and plastic surfaces. It can literally save your business hundreds or thousands of dollars in replacement costs depending on the size of your restaurant, and especially over time.
In some of our customer case studies, we find that restaurants have 5 or more booths with rips and tears, vinyl upholstery in need of major repair and other blemishes in high traffic areas. While it's certainly true that any restaurant builds its reputation on service and food offerings, customers also want a comfortable dining environment. There is certainly no charm or warm and fuzzy feelings that come from a space that is in disrepair.
The bottom line for all restaurant owners, whether large or small, comes down to two questions:
- Can I afford to replace old/worn items?
- Do I have the time, tools and patience/skillsets to tackle it on my own?
Likely not, on both accounts. Repair and restoration specialists can come in during non-business hours and do restoration work on-site, typically within one day depending on your needs.
A common misconception
Many restaurant owners believe that when they buy seating and other wearable surfaces for their restaurant that they are buying a timeline of durability. They think that when they rip or tear, they need to replace these items. This often causes them to sit unaddressed, due to the high cost of replacement.
Full-service restoration professionals can repair deep rips, cracks, and tears to leather and vinyl surfaces. The repair and restoration work makes these surfaces look like brand new, which is just as good as a full replacement. You won't wait for ordering, shipping, installation or any of the other costs associated with replacement. In fact, you'll probably spend less than half of the cost repairing and restoring what you already own.
Ultimately, it's a business decision. If you could repair to a new state at a fraction of the price of replacement, why wouldn't you consider this option?
Big savings for chains
Consider this mathematical example. If you're an owner of a chain or you manage a group of restaurants, this is where the savings can become grossly apparent. If one booth costs $100 to repair vs. $600 to replace and you have 7 locations with an average of 8 booths that require attention, you've just saved $28, 000. You also didn't have to wait for supplies, installation or any other tedious tasks along the way. Your business operates as normal and takes on a transformation during non-operating hours of the day.
One of most valued partners you can have in the service industry is one that focuses on restoration and repair of your high-traffic and wear/tear areas. There is no doubt that it is really important to maintain your restaurant's appearance and comfort in order for your guests to return time after time again.
Since the cost of operating and repairing restaurants continues to reach exorbitant levels, many restaurateurs have become increasingly savvy by making smart alliances with restoration specialists that perform work on regular basis. This ensures that areas of concern are being addressed quickly before they become more expensive repairs or very unsightly for their clientele.
Today, your reputation management is an area of concern in multiple areas. Keeping your space in top condition for your guests will keep them coming back; this is directly managed by you. But it also keeps your customers from leaving negative or poor reviews online and elsewhere around the internet. Your reputation management online might be handled by your favorite digital marketing company, but it starts inside your doors. Color Glo International can help you stay on top of your reputation with a quality service that is convenient and timely, all the while saving plenty of dollars on the bottom line.
Does your restaurant need a facelift?
If your booths, chairs and other leather or vinyl surfaces are in serious need of repair and your image is not as compelling as it was the day you opened your doors, then find a Color Glo Specialist to help design a repair/restoration schedule to maintain your reputation.
How to Clean Your Automobile's Interior Wood Trim
Wooden trim can really bring the class level of your automobile investments to a new level but if its not cleaned and cared for properly (like all other parts of your car) it will begin to look faded and tired, and can leave the overall impression of your interior looking drab.
Cleaning interior wooden trim
Ahh wooden trim... Think classic jaguar. Wooden trim can really bring the class level of your automobile investments to a new level but if its not cleaned and cared for properly (like all other parts of your car) it will begin to look faded and tired, and can leave the overall impression of your interior looking drab.
If your wooden trim is excessively dirty or has been left unattended and it has build up on it, then it should be thoroughly cleaned with a diluted all purpose cleaner and a microfiber towel. Using soft-bristled detailing brushes can also be used to access tight areas, corners and curves. It is important when using an all purpose cleaner that you ensure you thoroughly remove all residue and do not allow it to dry anywhere on the trim.
Next Step
After contaminants, dust, and grime have been cleaned off you will be able to see the true condition of the wooden trim. If it has become oxidized or lightly scratched/swirled over time you can polish it to remove these imperfections.
An all in one polish product made for the paintwork of your car may ideal for polishing wooden trim. A small amount should be applied to a sponge or microfiber applicator pad, then worked into the trim using both circular and linear motions. Once the polish has dried it should be buffed off with a soft microfiber towel.
“An all in one polish product made for the paintwork of your car may ideal for polishing wooden trim.”
While polishing your wood, you should be careful not to contaminate the surrounding trim with polish residue. In fact taping off the trim with painters tape may be a good idea depending on the car.
If the trim has been neglected over a considerable amount of time you may need to repeat the polishing process a number of times until the trim has been restored to a satisfactory standard.
Some classics may have wooden steering wheels.
What do I do now?
You've polished; what now? After polishing, your wooden trim can be waxed with a good quality natural carnauba based product. This will help to protect and seal the trim. It will also bring out the clarity of the grain in the wood and vastly enhance the reflections of the clear coat. The wax should be applied via a sponge or microfiber applicator pad, left to cure, then buffed off with a clean, soft microfiber towel. You'll want to ensure again that you do not contaminate any of the surrounding trim with wax residue or your job will become a bit more involved...
Maintenance is key
After your wooden trim has been cleaned, polished and protected it should be routinely maintained. Owning an automobile is either a passion or a pain for many people and wooden trim can increase your time invested. It needs be properly maintained along with the rest of the interior of your car to keep it looking its best. It should be vacuumed off using a soft brush attachment to remove any dust and loose contaminants, then wiped over with a soft microfiber towel and a detailing spray. Using a detailing spray works very well in maintaining interior wooden trim. You may want to read our other advice on how to clean the interior of your car.
If you find that you have a problem with your trim attracting allot of dust and other loose debris soon after it has been cleaned. This could be due to static that has been created from buffing it with a microfiber towel. A good way to combat this problem is to use an anti-static screen cleaner that is designed to clean computer monitors, mobile phone screens and other similar surfaces. The cleaner should be misted over the surface then lightly wiped over with a fine, soft lint free cloth.
For more reading, check out how to clean plastic exterior car parts.
Want to hire a professional?
How to Clean Plastic Exterior Car Parts
Your car has a lot of exterior plastic (believe it or not), which may require a different approach than the interior of your car. Knowing what to use is key, as plastic can be discolored or adopt a permanent haze if you're not real careful.
How to clean plastic car parts
We've talked about how to clean the exterior of your car in the past, and even the leather seats and upholstery. We also covered how to clean your car's interior plastic parts. But what about all the exterior plastic parts that weather the elements?
Your car's plastic will build up dirt and dust naturally just by moving and operating or even sitting there. Your clean natural clean tendencies are simply not enough. By cleaning your car's exterior as well as the interior, you can keep it looking newer much longer. Very good for resale and very good for you as you cruise the strip.
Your car has a lot of exterior plastic (believe it or not), which may require a different approach than the interior of your car. Knowing what to use is key, as plastic can be discolored or adopt a permanent haze if you're not real careful. Many years ago, we had to be careful not to confuse rubbing compound for turtle wax... Well, with today's chemicals and endless options, you'll want to excercise the same caution when clean your car's plastic parts.
Your potential for failure :-)
Your car is made of several types of materials, though most of the parts that are for aesthetics or looks are plastic. Plastic is used because it is easily molded to a desired shape and can be tinted to match the vehicle’s color. It can also be painted to match. Plastic parts range in purpose including:
Molded plastic parts for door panels or quarter panels.
Close-out panels designed to block mechanical parts from view.
Smooth, painted components such as bumper covers and trim areas.
Textured plastic parts.
Soft-touch plastics for attractive interior/exterior finishing.
“A general rule of thumb is painted plastic on the exterior of your car can be cleaned in the same fashion as the rest of your paint.”
Plastic components can (and do) get dirty just like the rest of your vehicle. Common offenders are oil from the road, dust, and debris, and potentially even food, beverages, bugs and more. Plastic may need to be treated differently than the rest of your car depending on its composition and finish.
Clean the textured plastic exterior parts
Textured black plastic on the exterior of your car is typically very rich in color. And whether they are black, grey, or tinted to match the rest of your auto's paint job, they can fade from the sun. Textured black plastic is typically used for parts such as mud guards, unpainted bumpers, windshield wiper cowls and other similar accessories.
You'll notice when this fading has happened because what used to be deep and rich will now appear to have a white tinge or cloudiness to it.
Your plastic can be restored.
Materials Needed
Clean lint-free cloth
Plastic trim cleaner (we recommend a Color Glo product that your local color restoration specialist will use when working on your project).
Trim brush or toothbrush
Image: Your Mechanic
Step 1:
Apply the cleaner. Apply a quarter-sized drop of trim cleaner directly to the plastic part. Work in small sections just like when you're washing your car. So don’t use a spot of cleaner larger than a quarter and keep your work area tight and controlled.
Step 2:
Brush in the cleaner. Brush the cleaner into the trim with a small, plastic-bristled brush or toothbrush - everybody keeps these around for just this purpose. First spread the cleaner thinly over as large a section as you can with the brush. Then, brush the wetted spot with the brush until the plastic underneath appears un-faded and even. You'll be surprised.. it will come right out.
Step 3:
Wipe the area dry. Wipe the spot dry with a clean, lint-free cloth, removing any remaining cleaner and dirt. And that's it! From here you can read up on how to clean the exterior of your car to bring the entire vehicle back to new.
Want to hire a professional?
How To Clean Plastic Interior Car Parts
There is more to cleaning a car than just filling up a bucket with mild soapy water, scrubbing it down and rinsing it off. The plastic interior needs to be kept clean as well. Follow our simple tips to dust, clean, and restore yoru plastic car parts.
How to clean plastic car parts
We've talked about how to clean the exterior of your car in the past, and even the leather seats and upholstery. But what about your plastic car parts?
Well, there is more to cleaning a car than just filling up a bucket with mild soapy water, scrubbing it down and rinsing it off. The plastic interior needs to be kept clean as well. Your car's plastic will build up dirt and dust naturally just by moving and operating or even sitting there. Your clean natural clean tendencies are simply not enough. By cleaning your car's interior, you can keep it looking newer much longer, which is good for resale and good for you.
Your car has both interior and exterior plastic, which may require some different methods. You just need to make sure you are using the right products on your plastic interior.
You can keep your classic car or sports car looking this good with a little bit of TLC.
What you need to clean interior plastic
Vacuum the interior first. Before you begin this project, vacuum out your car to remove any debris, dirt, and dust. Your cleaning products of choice will perform much better if you take care to vacuum before getting started. You can avoid scratching your plastic dash and other areas by using the soft brush attachment.
Remove the floor mats BEFORE your start to vacuum.
Take extra care around vents, knobs, and accessories. You can damage these easily if you're not paying attention.
“Vacuum out your car first, to remove any debris, dirt, and dust”
Cleaning the interior
Dust the plastic. Use a soft damp cloth (water only) or soft hand-held dust mop (available in the car care section of any grocery or discount store) to clear away dust. Some people use a vinegar solution for this too. Generally speaking, this should be ok as vinegar is a non-abrasive natural cleaner but depending on the composition of the plastic, you may find that it leaves a residue. With today's composite materials and expensive replacement costs, sticking to water is a great option.
A small, soft-bristled paintbrush works well to clear dust from crevices around the gear shift and hand brake, the radio controls and other tight spaces where dust can settle. You can also use a soft-bristled toothbrush and Q-tips to clean crevices and hard to reach areas.
Tip. If you used a damp cloth, go back with a dry soft cloth to dry the plastic.
Photo: Your Mechanic
Treating stains on plastic
If your plastic is stained, apply a very small amount of mild soap, laundry detergent, or plastic auto cleaner to a damp cloth. If you need advice on what auto cleaner to use, just ask your local Color Glo Specialist.
Never apply any cleaning solution directly to the plastic. Wipe the area until it is clean and follow it up with a clean, dry rag. If you cloth begins to show dirt, turn it to a clean spot otherwise you'll simply be in the business of re-distributing dirt.
Tip. Always apply any cleaner to an inconspicuous spot to test how it may react to your plastic.
Image: Wikihow
Keeping your shine
Apply a protectant. Once your plastic is cleaned, you should apply a protectant. For DIY'rs, you can visit the automotive section of of any larger retailer or auto parts store to get some advice on what might be a good option. Always apply sprays or chemicals to your cloth or rag vs. directly on the plastic. You'll avoid spots and over-treated areas. Replace your cloth or applicator as necessary.
Use a polish. To add some shine to your plastic, use a plastic polish. Or you can use some natural products such as olive oil or boiled linseed oil. Put some oil or polish on a soft cloth and then rub it into the plastic. Then use a clean soft cloth to rub away any excess product. Boiled linseed oil can be purchase from a hardware or paint store. You can find your favorite strength of virgin olive oil at your favorite grocer.
Tip. If you find a good all-in-one product that you like, you can cut down the amount of products you use and potentially some cost. They are out there.