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03-14-2019, 11:02 AM
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#1
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Veteran Member
City: Seattle
Vessel Name: Dark Star
Vessel Model: Nordic Tug
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 28
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How To Clean Snaps
My window cover snaps just aren't as SNAPPY as they used to be.
There is some corrosion on the male snaps especially on the front pilothouse window that gets a lot of salt spray.
What's the easiest way to clean these? I'd like to get some sandpaper in there but it's a tough shape. Or, some WD40 but that could get drippy. I once saw a purpose built tool for this but that seems excessive.
I also searched TF and saw recommendations for lubing the snaps.
Any tips would be appreciated.
Louis
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03-14-2019, 11:12 AM
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#2
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Guru
City: Port Townsend, WA
Vessel Name: Traveler
Vessel Model: Cheoy Lee 46 LRC
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,576
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My wife found the Snappi at a recent boat show: https://snap-a-lot.com/
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03-14-2019, 11:15 AM
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#3
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Guru
City: Pahrump, NV
Vessel Name: Pairadice
Vessel Model: Sold Selene 47
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,967
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Regular old chapstick, you’ll be surprised.
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03-14-2019, 11:18 AM
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#4
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Veteran Member
City: Atlantic coast
Vessel Model: Kadey Krogen 48
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 72
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Buy new ones.
And related, I have found a light application of ChapStick helps the snaps that become recalcitrant.
I have no business or financial interest in ChapStick. Just a satisfied customer.
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03-14-2019, 11:21 AM
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#5
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Guru
City: La Conner Wa.
Vessel Name: Sea Fever
Vessel Model: Defever 49 RPH
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 877
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That tool looks pretty cool. I would think you could use a Dremel with a wire brush in it. A little lube really makes a big difference.
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03-14-2019, 11:44 AM
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#7
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Guru
City: Vallejo, California
Vessel Name: Mahalo Moi
Vessel Model: 1986 Grand Banks 42 Classic
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,093
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It’s one of my quirks...I lube the snaps every time I check the battery fluid level! I’ve always used the “snap grease” from the big box store. Now I’m going to use Chapstick. Thanks, Crusty. I’ll buy you a beer when you travel past San Francisco!
__________________
Ray
"Mahalo Moi"
1986 GB-42 Classic
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑβΕ
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03-14-2019, 03:00 PM
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#8
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Guru
City: Brookline, NH
Vessel Name: Shalloway
Vessel Model: Defever 44, twin Perkins
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,260
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Some snaps may be chrome plated brass. If you use a wire brush on those you may not be happy with the results.
The grease in chapstick (or other snap lube) will work its way into the snap and works wonders for making them function properly.
Ken
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03-14-2019, 03:26 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
City: Lutz
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 473
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LouisG
My window cover snaps just aren't as SNAPPY as they used to be.
There is some corrosion on the male snaps especially on the front pilothouse window that gets a lot of salt spray.
What's the easiest way to clean these? I'd like to get some sandpaper in there but it's a tough shape. Or, some WD40 but that could get drippy. I once saw a purpose built tool for this but that seems excessive.
I also searched TF and saw recommendations for lubing the snaps.
Any tips would be appreciated.
Louis
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Soak for 10 minutes in toilet acid
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03-14-2019, 04:48 PM
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#10
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Guru
City: Aventura FL
Vessel Name: Kinja
Vessel Model: American Tug 34 #116 2008
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 10,595
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My pilot house canvas are set up to be mounted inside and out.
I use bees wax.
__________________
Two days out the hospital after a week in the hospital because of a significant heart attack.
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03-14-2019, 07:17 PM
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#11
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Veteran Member
City: Deltoid Pa and LBI
Vessel Model: Hatteras 53MY
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 81
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The prior owners of a boat I had used vasoline on anything everything metal.
They left me a small jar and a bag of Q tips.
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03-14-2019, 08:47 PM
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#12
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Guru
City: Fort Myers, FL... Summers in the Great Lakes
Vessel Name: Slow Hand
Vessel Model: Cherubini Independence 45
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,834
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Be careful lubricating snaps. I have a large curtain that covers my 2 starboard saloon windows. When docked next to my neighbor with the tall Hatteras motor yacht, high winds can create unusual force between us, which pops one of the back snaps. Once it starts flapping, it peels the rest of the snaps off. I've gone diving twice now to recover the curtain. I no longer lube certain snaps.
Ted
__________________
Blog: mvslowhand.com
I'm tired of fast moves, I've got a slow groove, on my mind.....
I want to spend some time, Not come and go in a heated rush.....
"Slow Hand" by The Pointer Sisters
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03-14-2019, 09:03 PM
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#13
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Guru
City: Vallejo, California
Vessel Name: Mahalo Moi
Vessel Model: 1986 Grand Banks 42 Classic
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,093
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Ted,
I wonder if you’d have different luck using “lift the dot” type over studs?
__________________
Ray
"Mahalo Moi"
1986 GB-42 Classic
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑβΕ
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03-14-2019, 09:14 PM
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#14
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Guru
City: Fort Myers, FL... Summers in the Great Lakes
Vessel Name: Slow Hand
Vessel Model: Cherubini Independence 45
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,834
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Giggitoni
Ted,
I wonder if you’d have different luck using “lift the dot” type over studs?
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Think the failure is related to not enough snaps over too long an edge. The window frame prevents me from adding more snaps. If I make new curtains, that design flaw will be rectified.
Ted
__________________
Blog: mvslowhand.com
I'm tired of fast moves, I've got a slow groove, on my mind.....
I want to spend some time, Not come and go in a heated rush.....
"Slow Hand" by The Pointer Sisters
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03-15-2019, 06:37 AM
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#15
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TF Site Team
City: Seneca Lake NY
Vessel Name: Bacchus
Vessel Model: MS 34 HT Trawler
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 7,828
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FYI... you can get snaps that work similar to "lift the dot" fasteners. They come off easily in one direction but next to impossible in others. A few strategically located/ oriented can prevent undesired detachment. You just need to plan ahead and pay attention when installing them. Also don't allow others to remove the canvas w/ o some training / instruction or they can tear the buttons right out of the canvas!
__________________
Don
2008 MS 34 HT Trawler
"Bacchus"
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03-17-2019, 12:24 AM
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#16
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Veteran Member
City: Seattle
Vessel Name: Dark Star
Vessel Model: Nordic Tug
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 28
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Thanks for all the great suggestions! I gave the cover a good clean and then used some chapstick. It definitely made snapping easier.
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03-17-2019, 12:29 AM
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#17
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Moderator Emeritus
City: Au Gres, MI
Vessel Name: Black Dog
Vessel Model: Formula 41PC
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 21,189
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When I am fabricating a panel, I put a twist lock snap at the corners or wherever I think that wind could start pulling the panel off. I like twist lock snaps better than the lift the dot fastners.
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03-17-2019, 12:51 PM
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#18
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Veteran Member
City: Seattle
Vessel Name: Dark Star
Vessel Model: Nordic Tug
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 28
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I like the idea of the twist locks. I did once have a corner come off in the wind. Luckily this is my front windshield so the wipers keep the cover on.
How hard would it be to replace some of the snaps with twist locks? I noticed each snap just has a screw in the middle. I wonder how long that screw is and what it screws into.
I hate to start messing with anything that could introduce a leak. Perhaps I should start a new thread on this.
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03-17-2019, 01:09 PM
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#19
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Moderator Emeritus
City: Au Gres, MI
Vessel Name: Black Dog
Vessel Model: Formula 41PC
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 21,189
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You could replace the regular snaps with a twist lock since the base on the twist lock is larger it will cover the original hole from the old snap that will no longer be used. You would need to fill the old hole and drill two new holes for the twist lock snap. Be sure to countersink the new holes before putting the screws in so you will not lift the gel coat. Also the twist lock tools are needed to cut the snap hole in the canvas. The old snap is most likely attached with a sheet metal screw although it could be through bolted with a machine screw and nut (not likely but possible).
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03-19-2019, 06:50 AM
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#20
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Guru
City: Jacksonville
Vessel Name: SONAS
Vessel Model: Grand Alaskan 53
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 7,235
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We always have tubes of Zipper lube on board - for the Bimini zippers and canvas snaps.
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