Mezz Mesh Installation Guide for Marine Hardware
Installation Guide For All Mezz Mesh Marine Products
This Installation Guide will walk you through installing our Mezz Mesh products. Each product comes with installation instructions already included specific to the type of hardware selected with the product. This guide will cover the information included with your purchase as well as offer more tricks and tips for installing the hardware.
The Mezz Mesh System
Here at Mezz Canvas, we offer simple and convenient ways to stow items on your boat. The Mezz Mesh System is made up of two categories:
All of our products utilize marine hardware that is commonly used for securing boat covers so we know our hardware will stand up to years on the water and will look as though it belongs on your boat. For all of our products we offer there are two mounting options, screw or adhesive.
We use DOT Durable Snap Fasteners and YKK SNADS to attach our products to the boat. For specific situations we also offer DOT Durable studs which bolt on and have a washer and nut. A perk of using a snap to attach our Mezz Mesh gear is that it makes everything removeable.
Installation Instructions
These instructions are contained with every purchase.
How To Install DOT Durable Snap Fasteners
1. Mark the locations of the Screw Stud using the Mounting Template Provided.
2. Pre-drill a hole using a 1/8th inch drill bit.
3. Attach the Screw Stud to the surface.
*If attaching to aluminum use a larger drill bit
Tools required:
- Pencil or marker for marking the template.
- Drill and drill bit for predrilling the hole. It is recommended to even predrill when mounting to wood so that you do not create a split.
- Philips Head Screw Driver
Each product ordered with "Screw Snaps" will come with a custom made template fit for that specific product. Since our production scale is low and we make everything at Mezz Canvas by hand, some of our products have a slight dimensional variance. For that reason the snap layout can be slightly different so we make every Mounting Template specific for each product. For each order of two or more of the same product we make the snaps align so that the template will work for all the items in the order. Without the mounting template we provide it is still possible to easily mark out the positions of the snaps. See the Tips and Tricks section for more help.
Some Specifics about the Screw Studs. The standard screw is a 1/4'' #8 wood screw. There are larger sizes but these work for most situations so we include them. If you have a specific need please reach out. It is best to address this before shipping your order so we can include the correct hardware for your needs.
How to Install YKK SNADS
1. Clean the mounting surface thoroughly with an alcohol wipe.
2. Attach the Stud to the Cup Holder and peel back the tape.
3. Line up your Cup Holder with the desired position and firmly press it into place.
The SNADS work on most surfaces that are smooth. Rough Fiberglass should be smoothed out before attempting to adhere. It is beneficial to the lifespan of the adhesive to clean the surface before adhering. Provided in each order is a set of wipes. The SNADS so not require a template because if you install them with the product attached, you are ensured that the spacing is correct.
Pros and Cons of Screw Studs
When choosing which mounting hardware, consider these factors.
Pros
- Screw studs are very strong and attach permanently to your boat.
- Screw studs can mount to rough surfaces.
- Your boat may already have DOT snap fasteners for a cover making additional ones blend in.
- Screw studs are cheaper and we include the cost in with each product
Cons
- You must drill a hole in your boat where you want to attach the screw stud.
- You cannot attach a screw stud to the hull of the boat below or near the waterline because you must drill a hole.
- More tools are required for installation.
Pros and Cons of SNADS
Pros
- SNADS are very strong when adhered correctly
- No additional tools required for installation
- You do not need to drill a hole in your boat
- You can mount SNADS to the hull of the boat.
Cons
- SNADS are an additional cost
- The adhesive may wear out over time (we have not seen this happen but it is possible
Overall both options are great and it really is a personal preference for which method you choose for attaching your Mezz Mesh gear to your boat.
Tips and Tricks
Here are a few tricks we have learned from years of working with this hardware.
Without the mounting template you may find it hard to figure out where to place the screw studs. There are two methods to use if you lose the mounting template.
Trace the snaps. Line up where you want the product and trace around half of the snaps or as best you can. Then remove the mesh product and mark where the center of the snap would be based off of your trace marks.
Additionally you can mark the snaps with a pencil or a crayon then line the product up where you want it and press the snaps down against the surface. What you should be left with is a faint outline of the snap location. From here mark and drill accordingly.
Before your boating season beings you should clean and lubricate the snaps. This will increase the ease of which they attach and come off. Although they are stainless, they are out in the elements and can become harder to remove after years of service.
The snaps should have a firm grip but should come off with some force. If they seem to have a loose fit this is either a factory defect or from wear. In this case what you can do is take a pair of pliers and squeeze the snap on the product just slightly to make the shape into a slight oval. This will tighten up the snap's grip on the stud.
We are proud to use high quality marine grade materials and hardware for all our products. If Mezz Mesh products are taken care of they will last for many seasons. If there are any issues with Mezz Mesh products our friendly staff will be sure to make things right.