Malibu Boats Wakesetter 20VTX 2018, Owner'S Manual, Page: 159 / 200

Maintenance Tips:
The real key to canvas longevity is like all things in life: maintenance. Keep the canvas clean of dust, dirt and
environmental residue on a regular basis.
• Top fabrics should be cleaned of any dirt buildup at regular intervals.
• We recommend applying a mild, lukewarm soap solution, such as a liquid dishwashing soap, with a soft brush or sponge. Water
temperature is not to exceed 100oF. DO NOT allow the soap to dry. The fabric must then be carefully rinsed with clear water in
order to remove any remaining soap residue. Allow canvas to dry thoroughly. DO NOT USE DETERGENTS!
• The use of abrasive detergents and/or substrates containing solvents or gasoline will damage the fabric. If using high-pressure or
steam-cleaning devices, use caution as improper use could damage the vinyl coating and/or fabric.
• Using harsh chemicals could void the fabric warranty on your top if not recommended by the manufacturer.
•
DO NOT PUT MARINE CANVAS IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD DRYER. DO NOT DRY CLEAN BOAT CANVAS.
UPHOLSTERY
Even if you do not have or use canvas covers, read the previous material about canvas care as there is information that is applicable
to upholstery use as well.
NOTE: Topical cleaners must be wiped off with clean water and dried with a clean cloth after application. If not rinsed after
direct contact, the cleaner residue on the surface can cause a slight color change.
The performance results shown in this information are not guaranteed for all upholstery products. The evaluations
are indicators after laboratory tests and may not be indicative of field performance.
Malibu Owners Manual • 2018 • Care and Maintenance • Page 7-4
Mold and Mildew:
As noted in the Canvas information above, mold and mildew problems in the marine upholstery
industry have been well-documented. The objective of this overview is to review the causes and cures of the
unsightly and odoriferous problems, and to suggest actions to reduce their impact on the quality of goods as
perceived by the consumers.
The Cause–Micro-organisms:
The two principal causes of offensive odors and unsightly stains and growths are
bacteria and fungi, commonly called micro-organisms. Bacteria are simple, single-celled organisms. Fungi, referred
to as mold and mildew, are significantly more complex.
A subset of fungal organisms is a type that produces colored by-products as part of its digestive process. These
by-products are recognized as stains and are typically pink, yellow, purple or black.
All micro-organisms require a source of energy, carbon for cell structure, nitrogen for amino acid synthesis,
essential minerals and water.
Organisms causing problems in the marine, industrial, health care, hospitality and home environments are
frequently very self-sufficient in synthesizing required bio-chemicals from the most basic molecules. Micro-
organisms are ubiquitous. They are everywhere, and thus, microbial contamination is the rule. The total absence of
microbes–sterility–is the exception.
Current Reality:
To have a mildew problem, four elements are required. In order for mildew to proliferate, spores,
food, warmth and moisture are necessary. Elimination of one of these elements would break the cycle, and the
mildew problem would be eliminated.
The most likely element to control is moisture. Keep surfaces dry and the ambient air dry, and you can break
the link. In actuality, this is very difficult. Marine upholstery may be dry when one sits on it, but it is constantly
exposed to rain, splashes and wet bathing suits.
Dirt carried by the wind or sudden shower will carry the spores or seeds to begin the process, inoculating the
surface. Surface debris can easily be washed off, but what happens to the contamination that gets into a seam or
stitch holes?
A closer examination reveals that a marine seat is a very complex construction. The vinyl that you look at or sit
on is a minute part of the total construction. The vinyl is usually attached to a fabric to give it dimensional stability
and physical strength. Urethane foam of various thicknesses provides a cushion, and the whole seat is usually built
on a piece of plastic.
If contaminated dirt carried by rain water gets inside the cushion, the biological growth cycle can begin. It is
quite common for soil organisms growing in the foam cushion to produce colored by-products, the most notable of
which is a pink compound.
This dye is soluble in plasticizer (an ingredient in flexible PVC) and will diffuse and migrate to the vinyl surface.
Even though the vinyl compound is adequately protected against mildew growth, pink staining can occur if contact
is made with components of a seat which support mildew growth. This stain cannot be removed by washing. In any
case, the owner’s perception of the boat’s quality has been seriously affected.