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Boat Maintenance: This Is How to Take Care of a Boat

December 16, 2020Auto, Travel

Did you know that boat sales in North America are soaring? In 2019, there were 280,000 new boats sold, including personal watercraft boats, wake sport boats, and cruiser boats.

Having a boat gives you great freedom and can open up a world of new hobbies, which is probably why sales are expected to rise in the upcoming years. However, owning a boat isn’t all fun and games, if you want your boat to last you need to properly maintain and look after it.

Read on to find out how to take care of your boat, with our crucial boat maintenance tips.

How to Take Care of a Boat

Every good sailor knows there are regular boat care checks you need to make before you take your vessel out in the water. However, when taking care of a boat, there are also several checks you need to do monthly and/or annually too. All these checks may seem silly, but it’s better to look after your boat and repair any damage sooner rather than later.

Clean Your Boat

Any time you go out on your boat, you need to make sure you clean it afterward. Dirt on the canvass or upholstery can encourage mold and mildew to grow, which can ruin your boat.

You also need to regularly clean, polish, and wax the fiberglass gel coat, This will help to protect your boat from oxidation and it’ll also ensure your boat looks slick.

Another aspect of your regular cleaning should be to lubricate fittings and parts of your boat. You can also take care of a boat by declogging and cleaning your bilge; dirty bilges mean that you might not notice disastrous leaking fuel.

If you go out on seawater, you also need to flush out your engine, to ensure that the salt in the water doesn’t ruin your boat.

Annual Check-Up

One of the greatest boat care tips is to have a professional check your boat every year. Unless you’re an expert in boat maintenance, it’s always much easier to leave the technical checks to those who know what they’re doing. The professionals will have access to all the latest tools and parts that’ll make looking after your boat much easier.

If you do want to do the checks yourself, remember to check and change your engine’s oil, lubricate your boat’s fittings, and paint the hull. You might also need to make repairs if your boat has encountered any damage that season.

Store Your Boat

Once the season is over, or you won’t be using the boat for several weeks or months, you need to make sure you store your boat safely. Some people choose to store their boats at home, but if you don’t have space for it then this can be an issue. Luckily, there are boat storage facilities where you can safely and securely store your vessel.

Not sure how to choose a boat storing facility? Have a look here to see what factors you need to consider before finding a storage space that’s right for your boat.

Keep Your Vessel in Shipshape With Our Boat Maintenance Tips

Follow our boat maintenance tips to ensure your vessel is safe and can continue to sail for many years to come. Remember to carry out regular checks and cleaning routines of your boat, as well as annual checks.

Read our other articles to find more tips on how to look after your boat and all the great places you can set sail to.

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January 11, 2023DIY / Home Improvement

How to Restore Antique Glassware

Getting your old antique glasses to look like new ones can be complicated. It involves many steps, from cleaning and resilvering to analyzing the refractive index and displaying the glasses.

Cleaning

Knowing how to clean your ancient glass is essential for preserving its beauty, whether you are a collector or want to exhibit your prized glassware. However, the process can be difficult and cause damage. If there are any damages, you should get them fixed right away by glass repairs Houston, TX specialist.

The correct way to clean glass is to use a soft, non-abrasive cleaner. For example, dish soap, distilled water, and dishwashing liquid can be used. These ingredients are gentle on metals and are effective at breaking up dirt and grease.

The best way to clean antique glass is to use a soft, lint-free cloth. Dip it into a bowl of distilled water and gently wipe down the surface. You can also soak a glass in warm water and dish soap solution.

If the dirt is stuck on the glass, you can use mild acid or vinegar to break it up. You can also use chamois leather or well-rung-out chamois to remove stubborn stains.

Analysis of Refractive Index

During the past centuries, many useful articles were produced from glasses. Besides the standard measurements of the density and bending strength, the analysis of the refractive index of a glass sample is also important. This information helps determine if the material is suitable for the intended use.

Several methods are available in the market which provides indirect measurements of the refractive index. Some of them require the sample to be immersed in liquid before measurement. Others are based on the structural parameters of the sample. However, these methods limit the accuracy of the samples’ refractive index. Therefore, the proposed method aims to directly measure glasses’ refractive index without requiring structural parameters.

This method has two advantages over traditional methods: measurement accuracy and environmental vibrations robustness. The accuracy of refractive index measurement can reach 5 x 10-4.

Removal of Old Silver

A cleaning solution can be a good way to remove old silver from antique glasses. The solution works quickly and doesn’t harm the environment.

A good solution is made of food-grade ingredients. You can find this product at many fabric stores. It would help to have a large container to soak your silver in.

You can also apply a baking soda bath to soften the tarnish. Again, it would help if you used aluminum foil to make this work. You can then polish the silver with a soft cloth.

Some people also use toothpaste. If you do, use a microfiber cloth to rub it onto the silver. Once the tarnish has been removed, rinse the silver with clean water. If the tarnish is still stubborn, you may need to apply more baking soda.

Resilvering

Whether you have an antique mirror or a glass piece, try resilvering it. Silvering is a chemical process that applies a thin layer of silver to the surface of a glass. It is a technique that has been used for centuries.

You should be aware that resilvering your mirror can be expensive. It is common for mirror resilvering to cost around $15 per square foot.

This process is a complicated one and requires the use of toxic chemicals. However, resilvering a mirror is well worth it.

The first step to resilvering your mirror is to clean it carefully. You should also remove the protective silver backing. This will allow you to reapply the silver layer.

Next, you need to apply the silver leaf. You can apply it in several places on the mirror. This will help to cover any scratches or cracks in the silver layer. You should use a soft felt cloth to smooth out any wrinkles.
January 11, 2023Finance

5 Tips for Investing in Fixer-Upper Properties

Fixer-upper properties can be a great way to get into the real estate market. They can be purchased for much less than their full market value, and the profit potential is huge. 

However, investing in fixer-upper properties can also be tricky. There are many costs that you may not be aware of, and there are a lot of hidden problems that could arise. 

Fortunately, today’s guide is here to help. We’re now going to look at some of the best tips for investing in fixer-upper properties. 

Know what you’re getting into 

The first and most important tip is to make sure that you know what you’re getting into. Investing in a fixer-upper property is a big commitment, and it’s important to understand all the risks and rewards that come with the process. 

This means researching and finding out as much as possible about the property before you make a purchase. You should also factor in the potential costs of renovations, materials, and labour. 

Get a professional inspection 

Before making a purchase, it’s important to get a professional inspection. This will help identify any potential issues with the property and ensure it’s a worthwhile investment. 

It’s also a good idea to get a contractor to look over the property as well. This will give you a better idea of the costs associated with the renovations and help identify any potential issues before you make a purchase. 

Budget for hidden costs 

The next tip is to budget for hidden costs. This means taking into account all of the potential costs that may arise during the renovation process. 

This could range from the cost of materials and labour to any permits or even landlord insurance that may be required if you are letting in the interim. It’s crucial to factor in any potential hidden costs before making a purchase, so you’re not caught off guard later. 

Secure financing

It should also go without saying that you will need to secure financing before you make the purchase. This will ensure you have the money you need to complete the project and make a profit. 

There are several different financing options available, so make sure you research and find the best one for your situation. 

Be prepared for the market

Finally, it’s important to be prepared for the market. Once you’ve completed the renovations, you will need to find a buyer for the property. This means researching and finding out as much as possible about the market to get the best price for your property. On some occasions, this may even involve holding tight for a few months – just so the market can settle and you can get the best price for all the renovations you have invested in. A quick look at the recent sold prices in the area and conversations with local estate agents will help you no end.