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After three days off-grid in the Adirondacks, Erin’s SUV looked like it had been through a war.

The drive home added its own layer of bug splatter, but that wasn’t the worst of it. Parking under pine trees for shade left sap streaked across the hood and roof. The firepit grates were caked in char, and her camp stove lid had a perfect, fossilized marshmallow from Saturday night’s s’mores.

Erin wasn’t looking forward to the cleanup.

The Problem: Outdoor Mess That Doesn’t Wash Off

She pulled into her driveway, unloaded the gear, and gave everything a once-over. A quick rinse wasn’t going to cut it. The sap was sticky and set. The bugs were baked on. And scrubbing too hard risked scratching paint or ruining the finish on her stove and cooler.

She’d made that mistake before, using a metal scraper on her kayak hull, which left permanent scuffs.

Not this time.

The Fix: A Plastic Scraper in the Camp Kit

Erin reached into her camping bin and pulled out the plastic scraper she’d thrown in “just in

Whether you're changing your boat’s name, updating registration numbers, or simply giving your vessel a facelift, removing vinyl lettering is a common part of boat maintenance. But it’s not as simple as peeling it off—especially if the adhesive has baked in under years of sun, salt, and weather.

The challenge? Getting rid of old lettering cleanly without scratching your gelcoat, paint, or hull surface. That’s where plastic blades come into play—offering a safer, smarter alternative to razor blades or abrasive scrubbing.

Why Vinyl Lettering Is Tough to Remove

Boat decals are designed to withstand harsh marine conditions, featuring UV-resistant materials and strong adhesives. Over time, however, they can become brittle, cracked, or sun-faded. When it's time to remove them, the backing often flakes off in small pieces, and the glue stays stubbornly behind.

Metal scrapers might seem like a quick fix, but they can gouge fiberglass or leave behind visible scratches—especially on curved or painted

A clean boat galley isn't just about aesthetics; it's fundamental to a healthy, happy onboard environment and crucial for preserving your boat's interior against the relentless marine elements. The constant motion, often compact workspaces, and sometimes limited airflow can make your galley a prime battleground against grime that seems immune to typical home cleaning methods.

So, what are the usual suspects causing you cleaning headaches? Think cooked-on grease from hearty onboard meals, surprise messes hiding in drawers or cabinets, and those frustrating clogged drains. Each demands consistent attention, the right tools, and a bit of know-how. A fantastic starting point for arming yourself in this ongoing battle is a reliable plastic scraper in your cleaning toolkit.

Conquering Grease Buildup

The saga of grease buildup in a cozy galley is never-ending. Tiny oil droplets inevitably find their way onto walls, cabinets, ceilings, and even vents. Starting with a good degreaser and cleaning

If your boat stayed in the water all winter, chances are you’re already seeing the first signs of marine growth. Even with anti-fouling paint, algae and barnacle beginnings can creep in as the water warms up. The good news? If you act early, you can clean it off quickly without damaging your hull’s protective coating. The key is using the right technique and the right tool.

Why Early Removal Matters

Once marine growth takes hold, it doesn’t take long for it to multiply. Algae and barnacles not only make your hull look neglected, they also increase drag, reduce fuel efficiency, and can lead to more costly maintenance down the road. Early removal is the simplest way to avoid all that but aggressive scrubbing or using metal tools can cause more harm than good.

How to Safely Remove Early Marine Growth

1. Inspect the Hull
   Do a visual scan above and below the waterline. Algae often appears as green or brown slime, while early-stage barnacles look like small, rough bumps.
   
   

2. Choose Calm Conditions
   A

Get your RV or camper road-ready with this targeted checklist. Whether you’re heading to the mountains, coast, or your favorite local campground, these key prep steps will help you start the season fresh, without damaging surfaces or wasting time.

Exterior Cleanup

• ☐ Wash the exterior:
  Start with a gentle RV-safe soap to remove surface dirt and winter grime.

• ☐ Scrape grime from seals and trim:
  Use Scraperite orange blades to gently lift stubborn buildup around window seals, storage compartment edges, and door frames. Safe on rubber and paint.
  

• ☐ Inspect and clean roof seams and vents:
  Remove dried sap, mildew, and grime buildup using a plastic blade for tight, curved areas. Check for cracks or gaps needing reseal.

• ☐ Remove faded decals (if replacing or upgrading):
  Warm the area with a hairdryer or heat gun, then use a Scraperite blade to peel away vinyl without scratching gelcoat or fiberglass.

• ☐ Remove adhesive residue:
  Apply a safe adhesive remover and gently scrape with your plastic blade

Whether you're prepping for the fall rains or getting a jump on spring maintenance, resealing your RV windows and skylights is a crucial step in keeping your rig watertight and road-ready. But before you can reseal, you’ve got to remove the old caulk and doing that wrong can lead to costly scratches, gouges, or even water damage down the line.

The good news? With a little patience and the right tools, like a plastic scraper, you can safely remove old sealant without damaging your RV’s surfaces. Here’s how.

Why Old Caulk Needs to Go

Over time, the caulking and sealants around RV windows, roof vents, and skylights break down from sun, heat, cold, and movement on the road. You might notice cracks, discoloration, or even gaps where the sealant is pulling away. If left in place, these weak points can allow water to seep into your walls or ceiling, leading to rot, mold, and major headaches.

But before you slap on a fresh bead of caulk, it’s important to remove all of the old material. New sealant

Let's outline the benefits of using a bonded warehouse for deferring tariff payments, specifically in the context of those imposed during trade wars and which may be eventually reduced or removed.

Using a Customs Bonded warehouse can help defer the timing of paying tariffs and other import duties. This strategy allows the importer to pay only on the quantity taken out of the warehouse at that time or move it along to a new market without importing. These warehouses can be located anywhere and can be public or private. They typically handle pallet level quantities and move products to another warehouse after clearing but will not accommodate direct to consumer shipping like a 3PL.

Of course, cash flow is a top consideration when deciding whether this strategy is feasible. The cost of borrowing and storage fees may be less than paying hefty tariffs which may be reversed.

 Here are a few detailed points to consider:

1. Tariff Deferral:

• The most significant advantage is the ability to delay paying

As the days grow longer and the temperatures rise, RV and camper owners start looking ahead to road trips, campground weekends, and summer getaways. But before the fun begins, spring prep is essential—and often a little messy.

For Sarah, getting her RV ready for the season meant tackling a to-do list filled with post-winter grime, stubborn buildup, and cosmetic touch-ups. The seals around her windows and storage compartments had collected layers of dirt and sap. The decals were faded and starting to peel, and a few areas needed resealing where the caulk had cracked or pulled away. She wanted to clean and refresh everything without scratching the RV’s surface or making a bigger mess.

That’s where plastic blades came in.

Cleaning Around Rubber Seals and Trim

One of the most frustrating areas to clean on an RV is around the rubber seals and trim. Over time, these areas collect road grime, tree sap, and even mildew. Traditional brushes and cloths often push dirt into the edges instead of lifting

If you own a boat, you know that grime, buildup, and scuffs are just part of the deal. Whether it’s salt crust along the rails, algae at the waterline, or mystery gunk in a tight hatch corner, keeping your vessel clean takes regular effort and the right tools.

Here’s the problem: traditional scrubbing often spreads the mess more than it removes it. You rub and rub, but the real buildup stays stuck, while everything around it gets a good smear. Worse, over-scrubbing can dull finishes, scratch gelcoat, or wear down decals.

That’s where a handheld plastic scraper earns its keep. It’s small, simple, and budget-friendly—but don't underestimate it. This tool lets you target the exact problem spot, applying pressure where it counts without damaging nearby surfaces. No chemicals, no stress, just clean results.

Why Scrubbing Falls Short on a Boat

Marine grime is a different beast. Salt, dead bugs, fish residue, hard water marks, they all love to cling. And many surfaces on a boat are either textured

The first hint of warmer weather always brings a familiar thrill to boat owners. For Jim, it marked the countdown to long-awaited days on the water with his family. But like clockwork, it also came with the less glamorous side of boating—spring cleaning.

This year, as Jim pulled into the marina, he was greeted by the usual suspects: stubborn mold patches from winter storage, a dull haze clinging to his fiberglass, and grime wedged around cleats and window seals. In years past, that meant hours of rubbing, scrubbing, and sore arms, with rags and cleaning sprays that never quite got the job done efficiently.

But this spring, Jim tried something different. He’d recently read about using a plastic scraper for boat maintenance—a tool he’d never thought to keep onboard. Lightweight, safe for surfaces, and surprisingly effective, it quickly became the MVP of his spring prep.

Precision Over Pressure: The Power of Targeted Scraping

Like most boaters, Jim used to reach for rags and towels to tackle