CARING FOR YOUR
CLEANING YOUR BOAT:
Use a mild dish soap and water to clean off any dirt or sand on your boat. If you get rub marks or frame marks on your tubes, we recomme
nd Inflatable Boat Cleaner which contains no oils. Although oils give your boat a shiny appearance, the oils soak into the material and will make it difficult to add any accessories or do any repairs later on. Inflatable Boat Cleaner can be purchased from SOTAR or B & A Distributing (503-230-0482).STORING YOUR BOAT:
It is recommended that you keep your boat partially inflated in a clean, dry place. If it is stored outside, be sure to keep a tarp or some sort of protection over it to help keep it clean and out of the sun. You may also store your boat fully deflated and rolled (as we do here at SOTAR). It is important, however that your boat is clean and dry before you roll it for storage. You should also wrap it in a boat bag or tarp to help protect it. Keep in mind that the edges on a rolled boat are more susceptible to abrasion so extra caution should be used in moving the boat around.
REPAIRING YOUR BOAT:
For minor repairs, clean the two surfaces to be patched with MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone, Available in patch kit or from any paint store) until all oxidation is removed (the shiny material should show through). Apply the first coat of adhesive immediately, brushing it on uniformly on each surface. Allow 20 minutes before applying the second coat in the same manner. When the second coat is dry, reactivate both surfaces with MEK. When aggressively tacky (like duct tape), assemble and apply pressure using a smooth hard object. If no MEK is available the patch may be applied when the second coat is tacky. Rub thoroughly for superior bonding. If you are repairing a rip over five inches, we suggest that you patch inside and outside. The size of the patch should be at least three inches larger than the rip in all directions. Most importantly, keep the surfaces dry at all times.