Fighting Mildew, Mold, and Lichen
Most boat owners regard their boat as a living, breathing thing, but when real living things-especially the microscopic variety-move aboard and start occupying large...
Searching for Spray Shine
Is there a quick, easy way to get a glossy shine on the deck and topsides between the grueling wax-and-buff efforts? To find out,...
Restoring Vinyl Windows: DIY or Hire a Pro?
If your vinyl dodger windows are more than five to seven years old and looking tired but your canvas is still looking good, its...
Restoring Clear-vinyl Windows
ConclusionAll of the test products dramatically improved the clarity of weathered vinyl test panels, typically improving clarity by two to four times. None removed...
Heavy-Duty Rubbing Compounds
Gelcoat provides a fiberglass boat with a hard, water-resistant protective shell. When new, its polished and waxed to a bright shine, but after a...
Tired Daysailer Hull Serves as Test Platform
Practical Sailor tested the compounds on the badly oxidized hull of a neglected 1974 ODay Javelin daysailer that has been stored uncovered in the...
Shurhold Buffing Pad Cleaner
During our April 2014 performance test of rubbing compounds, we sullied a dozen brand-new wool buffing pads, all of which were Shurhold brand. Since...
Aggressive Hull Cleaning Stirs Up Copper Debate
Early this month, irate boat owners from Marina del Rey, Calif., packed the regional water-quality board meeting, protesting a rule that would require them...
Keeping Canvas in Tip-top Shape
NikWax TX-Direct Spray-onA general-purpose product from perhaps the best known producer of aftermarket waterproofing treatments for outdoor clothing and gear, the NikWax TX-Direct spray...
Best Practices for Maintaining Clear Vinyl
CoversThe benefit of covering your clear-vinyl windows is positive protection from harmful UV and dirt. The downside, other than the cost and the time...