Maintaining Your autobimini
The care and maintenance of autobimini and autobimini lite is designed to be easy and stress-free, so you can spend more time enjoying your boat and the water! With just some simple regular maintenance, you can keep your autobimini system in perfect working order while maintaining its beauty and longevity.
Aluminum Frame & Actuator Maintenance
The autobimini system frame components are designed to be maintenance-free. The aluminum components are lightly sandblasted and designed to look nice while providing protection from the elements. However, the sandblasted frame can be damaged if cleaned incorrectly with harsh chemicals.
The best way to clean the metal elements of your system is to use a neutral cleaner like dish soap in tap water along with a non-abrasive sponge. Test your cleaning method on an inconspicuous section before proceeding to clean the entire unit.
Non-neutral solutions like bleach or baking powder can damage the aluminum. You should also never use petroleum-based products or abrasive metal cleaners on any part of the autobimini.
Canvas Canopy Cleaning
Owners should inspect the canvas at full extension regularly to ensure there are no deteriorating portions (canvas rips, broken threads, etc).
Additionally, some basic steps should be taken to prolong the life of your canvas:
- Perform general, light cleaning on a monthly basis using a hose and clear water to remove debris, dirt, and any buildup or residues.
- Clean thoroughly every 2-3 years by removing the canopy, laying it on an open surface, cleaning it with a soap mixture, and spraying it with a hose or light pressure from a spray washer. You may also include brushing or spraying on fabric guard and/or mildew treatments. Do not put the canopy in a washing machine!
- Conduct an annual inspection of your canvas to ensure that all threading is intact. Performing a pull test on the threading will determine whether that threading has become dry rotted from the elements.
Electrical Care
While the autobimini controller is connected to the battery, there is a minimal current draw as the autobimini will be in SLEEP mode. However, to prevent long-term battery drainage, the circuit breaker should be tripped manually if the boat will be unused for an extended period of time.