CARING FOR YOUR PAINTED WEATHEREND FURNITURE
Weatherend yacht finish is the most durable marine and aviation finish available for outdoor furnishings. Designed to withstand destructive marine conditions, our finish will protect your furniture for years and requires minimal maintenance.
The pieces that were originally built for the Weatherend Estate in Rockland, Maine are still being used today – after 80 years! This is because they have been well cared for. By following the basic care instructions below, you can extend the life of your furniture and make sure that it always looks its best.
Do:
- Wash the surface regularly with mild detergent and water. Regular cleaning will help avoid buildup which can slowly attack the topcoat, prematurely aging the coating. Awlwash, available at most marine suppy stores, is an effective detergent for cleaning that is gentle enough for frequent use.
- Use distilled white vinegar and hot water to remove stubborn salt stains.
- Use solvents such as toluene, lacquer thinner, acetone, or kerosene to soften or remove heavy buildup of grease and grime. Felt tip markings and spray paint can be removed with a product called "Goof Off", available in most hardware stores. Apply cleaning solvents with soft clean cloths. Wipe up solvent quickly. Do not allow solvent to dry on the surface or puddle and soak into the surface. Wash these areas with mild detergent and water to remove solvent residue.
- Always be sure that all surfaces are completely rinsed, as latent solvent and detergent residue can attack the topcoat.
- Wipe off alcohol or acidic spills immediately, as they can dull the finish. If the finish is affected, try Awlcare, a product developed to protect Awlgrip finishes. It will help temporarily seal and restore shine to painted surfaces that have been affected by these spills or that have become porous due to age or mistreatment. If you do not use Awlcare, try good quality wax-free furniture polish. If this does not restore the shine, use a non-abrasive automotive wax such as Blue Poly, Simonize Non-Abrasive Car Wax, or Nu-Finish Car Polish. Wax can temporarily restore the gloss to small scuffs, scrapes or scratches, sometimes allowing the postponement of repairs or repainting until a convenient time. This is the only instance in which we recommend using wax on your furniture.
- Clean with an automotive wash if your furniture comes in contact with oil, grease or soot residue. We recommend Zip Wax Car Wash, ArmorAll Car Wash Concentrate, Meguiar’s Car Wash & Conditioner, Top Flight, or similar products. 3M Liquid Polish #05993 can be applied, by hand only, to remove stubborn stains.
Do Not:
- Do not wax except to temporarily restore the gloss to small scuffs and scratches. Wax buildup ages and yellows very rapidly, creating the need to maintain the wax and causing the topcoat to appear yellow. Wax buildup also collects dirt, increasing maintenance.
- Do not use abrasives, scratch pads, or polishing compounds. Scratching the surface gives dirt a place to cling while wearing out the resin layer. Using abrasives of any kind will reduce the overall life of the finish.
- Do not allow contact between finish and teak cleaners. Most teak cleaners contain acids or caustic agents that will stain and discolor the topcoat.
- Do not allow wet cushions or towels to trap and hold moisture against the finish. This condition can result in blistering or delamination.
- Do not use acrylic Teflon coatings over the finish.
- Do not leave your furniture under rain gutters or run-off areas. Dirt and ice build-up between slats can cause damage.
Storage:
Covers are available for seasonal use, and are recommended to help extend the life of the furniture. Dry storage is recommended for the winter months and for any extended time that the furniture is not in use. When storing, do not “shrink wrap” or tightly bind surfaces with plastic wrappings. The cover system should be ventilated to allow the coating system to “breathe”. Covers, whether synthetic or natural fiber, should not be pulled tight to surfaces. Caution should also be used to ensure that the cover does not chafe against the surface. Such chafing, especially when accompanied by airborne dirt, can abrade the surface and cause premature loss of gloss. Covers are available that will help extend the life of the furniture.
Refinishing/Repairs:
In areas with extreme conditions, you may find that your furniture will require refinishing after several years of tough exposure. A dulled, cracked finish or major dents will require this attention. A professional refinisher who applies marine paint can do the job for you, or the piece can be returned to us for refinishing. We offer a refinishing program every winter. Furniture refinished at Weatherend receives a new three year product warranty. For minor repairs, a touch-up kit can be sent. If a seat or table slat has been broken, you need only to unscrew the damaged piece and send it back to us – we will make a replacement piece that will fit your furniture.
Special Note:
On occasion, after painted furniture has been wet, the natural red pigment of the mahogany wood can seep from a joint area. This is quite normal and can be easily washed away. We recommend immediate washing as per the above instructions. This is a natural characteristic of mahogany that does not affect the finish or structural integrity of your furniture.
Products and Services:
- Awlcare and Awlwash – Available from U.S. Paint: (314)621-0525.
- Covers – Available from Weatherend. Call for current prices.
- Refinishing Program – Offered by Weatherend. Call for current dates and prices.
- Replacement Parts – Available from Weatherend. Call for prices.
- Touch up kits – Available from Weatherend upon request. Available at no charge if the color is in stock.
Security Brackets – Available from Weatherend. Call for prices.
If you have any questions or special concerns unique to your area and climate, or to inquire about products or services, please contact us at 800.456.6483 or sales@weatherend.com for more information.
