The Cost of Repairing vs. Replacing Boat Seats
Despite regular maintenance and care, it’s likely your boat seats will sustain damage as your it ages. Consider your options… Refurbish vs replace with Color Glo International. Save up to 70% and bring worn, torn and sun-faded vinyl and plastics back to new!
Repairing vs. Replacing Boat Seats
The summer has come to an end, sadly… Boat owners are quite used to the right of passage of being a boat owner, which includes plenty of maintenance. Some people address repairs in the spring - some tackle them in the fall so spring is more fluid ritual of actually getting to the water.
Despite regular maintenance and care, it’s likely your boat seats will sustain damage as your it ages. Marine-grade vinyl is durable, water-resistant, and not prone to fading. But wear and tear is inevitable. Stepping on and off the boat also adds additional wear on the surfaces as your feet or shoes dig in for stability. Eventually, even marine-grade vinyl will fade or crack, and constant exposure to water makes mildew a concern.
As your boat gets a layer of dirt and dinge that becomes harder to remove over the years, you may find yourself vising a boat show or looking at websites for upgrade solutions. But the price of new boats is heavy stuff, specifically in today's financial environment. Supply chain issues, rising oil prices, inflation, and labor shortages are causing the price of boats to hit record highs - still. The price of fiberglass outboard boats is up almost 10% from 2019. While prices are starting to find their peak, buying a new boat (amongst other toys) may be out of reach for many people.
Cost of Reupholstery
If your boat’s vinyl seats, hard plastic areas, and even windshields are showing signs of age and wear, you may want to consider your options. You might immediately think that re-upholstering is the way to go. While this option is definitely cheaper than replacing or buying new, it can still be very expensive. You can expect to pay upwards of $500 to reupholster a captain’s chair and somewhere in the ballpark of $100 - $300 per cushion. Hourly rates may range from $50 - $100 per hour in boat upholstery repair costs.
You’ll also have to dock the boat while this work is being done. Depending on your vendor and how they work, this could cut into your summer boating fun.
The Color Glo solution
Color Glo International grounds its business in refurbishing vs replacing. A much more cost-effective solution is to repair your damaged surfaces on-site with a CGI specialist at your location. Color Glo is a national and international leader in leather and vinyl restoration and boat upholstery repair.
Color Glo International’s specialists use water-based products and are trained in the latest restoration techniques to make repairs on-site (in your boat) and save you money. From serving marinas to boat dealers to boat owners, Color Glo has the tools and experience to get the job done right. Our technicians can restore boat seats, tops, engine enclosures, ceilings, beds, and carpeting. They repair and re-dye tears, holes, scuffs, and scratches. We can even re-dye/re-color vinyl and plastics.
Want a new boat? Change its look!
Preventing damage
Once a Color Glo franchise has come to visit you and repair cracks, sun-fading, cloudy plastic shields, tears, burns, and more you may want to take some steps to prolong the life of your newly refurbished marine equipment.
Just like if you were to remove your boat from the water after every use, you’ll want to keep it clean in between uses. No doubt, while you're having fun in the sun, spills will happen, and crumbs and other food will fall to the floor. You’ll want to wipe, vacuum, or clean these up quickly. You can also install vents in your boat cover to allow the interior of your boat to properly dry when you close it up for the evening. It’s also important to deep clean your boat a couple of times a month when it gets frequent use. Gentle cleansers and soft cloths work well both inside and outside of your boat.
Request a free quote
Color Glo International can help with many upgrades inside of your marine equipment We can refurbish your plastic, vinyl, and upholstery while working on-site, at your location. Burns, fading, tears, etc, will all be restored to new, saving you up to 70% over buying new.
Contact a Color Glo Specialist about your Boat restoration project.
RV Repairs & Upgrades that increase Value
There are some steps you can take to boost your RV’s resale value and keep it in the best shape possible as you head out on new adventures. In addition to making sure that your RV undergoes regular maintenance to stay road-ready, there are things you can do to the interior to increase appeal.
Why RV Repairs Increase RV Value
Over the past couple of years, you probably either hit the road with your RV or camper more than usual or you may have bought one for the very first time. You may notice that when living in your RV part-time, it begins to show some wear and tear very quickly. We’ve put together a few repairs and upgrade ideas that can not only help you maintain your RV value but increase your value and help get prepared for your fall/winter adventures or the next upcoming season.
Now, while you might consider your RV an extension of your home where valuable family memories are made, you also realize that, like any automobile, it is a depreciating asset. It is very likely that your RV lost 10 - 30% of its value the minute you drove it off the lot. Class A RVs will lose up to 50% of it’s value after a decade in service, according to J.D. Power, which is a leading vehicle data and information provider.
Depreciation
There are many factors that influence a camper’s depreciation. Understanding these factors can help you maintain your RV’s value. The hardest depreciating factor to combat is time. While mileage does not play a significant role in the value of your recreational vehicle, time certainly does.
There are some steps you can take to boost your RV’s resale value and keep it in the best shape possible as you head out on new adventures. In addition to making sure that your RV undergoes regular maintenance to stay road-ready, there are things you can do to the interior to increase appeal. This is where Color Glo International comes in…
Upgrades That Increase Sale Price
Reupholster the furniture
RV upholstery is built to withstand the elements, but normal use or wear and tear and the damaging rays of the sun can cause fading and blemishes. Ensuring your upholstery is in prime condition by making repairs will dress up your RV interior.
Change the carpet
If your RV has carpet, you may want to replace it when it starts to show signs of wear. Children, pets, and outdoor debris can do a big number on the carpet in your recreational vehicle. Carpet is also known to trap unpleasant odors and bacteria. In addition to vacuuming regularly, replacing our carpet can go a long way to making your RV shine with glory!
Replace window coverings
Having the proper window coverings or blinds offers privacy and can help protect your interiors from damaging UV rays. As manufacturers improve the quality of window coverings, staying on top of the latest styles and quality trends can make a buyer take notice.
Update cabinetry
You’ve had your RV for years - let’s face it, the styles change. What once was chic and functional is now old and archaic. Cabinets that were cutting edge now look dated and worn. It’s not cost-effective to replace them, but swapping out the hardware is a simple way to give them an upgrade and bolster your resale value. In a similar vein, adding a peel-and-stick backsplash can brighten up your RV’s appearance and give it a contemporary touch.
Who doesn’t want that??
Sanitize the cabin
If your RV gets used, then you’ve probably wondered “what is that smell”?if you have dogs, cats, children (or spouses), then it’s likely stuff just doesn’t smell fresh. Furthermore, the average steering wheel contains several times more dirt, grime, and bacteria than the average public restroom. Getting your RV sanitized at least once a season will ensure it’s free of germs and that it stays in tip-top shape for the next adventure.
Add storage
If you have space in your RV that can be repurposed or maybe a corner or wall with dead space behind it that doesn’t make sense, then consider adding more storage and opening everything up. Keeping things stowed properly and in an organized fashion will help you declutter and appear more attractive to potential buyers.
RV Pro Tip ***
Often when people buy used RVs or even larger motorhomes, their first inclination is to rip out some of the built-in seating. Try to resist… One of the best ways to ramp up the value of your RV is to have plenty of sleeping spaces. You might like the look of a modern sofa or freestanding table, but unless it can convert to a bed, it will only decrease the attractiveness of the vehicle.
Request a free quote
Color Glo International can help with many upgrades inside of your RV. Some of our specialties are actually in categories above and beyond the basics mentioned above. We can bring the yellow tinge on your headlamps back to crystal clear. We can refurbish your leather, vinyl, and upholstery while working on-site, at your location. Burns, fading, tears, etc, will all be restored to new, saving you up to 70% over buying new.
