Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - 43

Research materials and ﬁnishes
Consumers are increasingly looking for
environmentally safe materials. Being
knowledgeable about materials and
inishes will position you as a reliable
source for high-performing materials
that address these concerns.
Understanding proprietary terms like
PERMABLOK3®, SILVERGUARD®
and PERMAGUARD®, as well as
phthalate, biocide and antimicrobial
may initially seem daunting, yet thoroughly understanding them will help
you confidently recommend the right
finishes and materials to your customers
for their projects.
Discuss label terminology with suppliers using their online information, emails,
phone calls and during MFA conferences
and workshops. I spend a lot of time doing
research on websites such as www.sergeferrari.com, www.herculite.com, www.
spradlingvinyl.com, and www.sileather.
com, among many others.
Refer to vendor sample cards. These
include material data for standards
that can exceed one million double
rubs, mold and mildew resistance, and
more. Look for protective finishes like
PreFixx® that are engineered to allow
upholstery to be cleaned again and again
without showing signs of wear. These
finishes can reduce maintenance costs

and extend the upholstered product's
useful life, especially when sat on with
wet swimwear and during the heat
of summer.
Educate customers about caring
for materials. Use sew-in care labels
that are available from suppliers such
as WeatherMAX® and Sunbrella®.
(Editor's Note: See "New Products" on
page 13 for information about Sunbrella
Horizon, the company's first nonwoven
marine seating fabric crafted to resist the
notorious pinking effect.)
Provide vendor guidelines so
customers know how to treat spills and
stains in a timely manner. Light soil and
stains can be removed with mild soap
and water.
For difficult stains, tell customers to
identify the source, refer to the staining
agent list, and follow the directions
that correspond to their situation in a
timely manner.
From beginner to seasoned veteran, I
have continued to research and educate
myself about finishes and materials in
our industry. I hope you do too. It's the
key to being inspired and to exceeding
your customers' expectations with
quality and timely service.
Terri Madden owns Sand Sea & Air Interiors Inc.
in San Juan, Puerto Rico. www.sandseaair.com.

OMNOVA Solutions' Nautolex® marine
upholstery fabrics are engineered for
demanding outdoor environments.
Formulated with antimicrobials, Nautolex
fabrics offer the added protection of
PreFixx® protective ﬁnish that provides
industry-leading cleanability and abrasion
resistance. Photo: OMNOVA Solutions Inc.

Enduratex Aspirations is a phthalate-free,
durable coated fabric that features
a realistic leather look and feel. It offers
high-performance attributes of 100,000
cycles Wyzenbeek resistance, mildew
resistance, antibacterial and antimicrobial
properties, and -10 Fahrenheit cold crack.
Photo: Enduratex.

Exterior projects:
Nautolex® by Omnova

Silvertex® by Spradling
* Marine vinyl with a urethane topcoat that has built-in
antibacterial and anti-stain ﬁnishes that make it a
good "go to" vinyl where mold and mildew can occur.
®

®

* SILVERGUARD and PERMABLOK3 ﬁnishes protect
against tough stains like suntan lotion and blood as
the UV-stabilized pigments on the surface of Silvertex
prohibit problems.
* More than 36 colors to choose from at a reasonable

* High-performance marine upholstery vinyl
in 21 colors.
* PreFixx® protective coating provides outstanding
cleanability and abrasion resistance.
* Easy to maintain. Dirt and smudges wipe off,
and many leading cleaners and disinfectants
can be safely used when recommended
cleaning instructions are followed.

price point.

www.marinefabricatormag.com | 43
http://www.serge http://www.ferrari.com http://www.herculite.com http://www.spradlingvinyl.com http://www.sileather http://www.sandseaair.com http://www.marinefabricatormag.com
Marine Fabricator September/October 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Marine Fabricator September/October 2019
