Scout Boats 300 LXF, Owner'S Manual

Page: 124 / 173

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Routine Maintenance
After the boat is exposed to the direct sunlight for
a period of time, the gel coat or painted surfaces
tend to fade, dull or chalk. A heavier buffing is
required to bring the finish back to its original
luster. For power cleaning use a light cleaner. To
clean the boat by hand, use a heavier automotive
cleaner. Before cleaning the surfaces, read the
instructions given with the cleaner. After cleaning
the surfaces, apply wax and polish all fiberglass
surfaces except the nonskid areas.
Avoid the following on gelcoat surfaces:
• Do not use plastic or other nonporous (non-
breathable) materials to cover gelcoat surfac-
es. Trapped moisture from condensation can
cause gelcoat damage. Shrink wrap storage
covers must be properly ventilated, including
hull sides.
• Do not use abrasives, bleaches, ammonia,
acids or harsh detergents. See your dealer for
special marine formulations. Harsh abrasive
and chemical cleaners are not recommended
because they can damage or dull the gelcoat,
reducing its life and making it more susceptible
to stains.
• NEVER apply wax or buffing compound to a
gelcoat surface in direct sunlight.
Chalking, stains and minor scratches can be re-
moved in most cases with careful rubbing and
polishing with appropriate compounds or chemi-
cals and is best done by a professional - see your
dealer.
If the fiberglass should become damaged and need
repair, contact your dealer or Scout Customer
Service for assistance in finding an authorized
repair person to make the repairs.
CAUTION
DO NOT WAX NONSKID AREAS AS THIS COULD MAKE THEM
SLIPPERY AND CONSEQUENTLY INCREASE THE POSSIBILITY
OF INJURY.
Stainless Steel Hardware
When using the boat in saltwater, the hardware
should be washed with soap and water after each
use. When your boat is used in a corrosive envi-
ronment such as saltwater, water with a high sulfur
content or polluted water, the stainless steel will
periodically develop surface rust stains. This is
perfectly normal under these conditions.
The following guidelines will help keep stain-
less steel looking good for many years.
• Clean stainless steel frequently (daily in salt
or polluted environments) with mild soap and
plenty of water. Any cleaner safe for use on
glass is usually safe for stainless.
• Remove rust spots (especially around welds)
immediately with a brass, silver or chrome
cleaner. Irreversible pitting will develop under
rust allowed to remain on stainless for any
period of time.
• Remove rust stains on gelcoat. See dealer for
recommended product.
• Stainless Steel can normally be cleaned and
protected by using a high quality boat or au-
tomotive wax or a commercial metal cleaner
and protectant.
Never do the following on Stainless Steel.
• Do not use coarse abrasives like sandpaper or
steel wool which may actually cause rusting.
• Do not use acids or bleaches which may etch
the naturally occurring protective coating.
• Do not leave stainless steel in contact with
iron, steel or other metals which cause con-
tamination leading to rust or corrosion.
CAUTION
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD ANY ABRASIVE
MATERIALS SUCH AS SANDPAPER, BRONZE WOOL, OR STEEL
WOOL BE USED ON STAINLESS STEEL. DAMAGE TO THE
HARDWARE WILL RESULT.
Anodized Aluminum Surfaces
Anodized aluminum should be washed periodi-
cally with soap and water to keep it clean. If the
boat is used in saltwater or polluted water, the
aluminum should be washed with soap and water
after each use. Saltwater allowed to remain on
anodized aluminum will penetrate the anodized
coating and attack the aluminum.
Hardtops, bimini tops or T-tops with canvas and/
or fiberglass tops require special attention to the
anodized aluminum just below the top. This area
is subject to salt build up from salty condensation
and sea spray. It is also frequently overlooked
when the boat is washed and will not be rinsed by
the rain. Consequently, the aluminum just below
the top is more likely to become pitted than the ex-
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