Boat owners know that the most accurate acronym for B.O.A.T. is “break out another thousand” due to the high cost of maintenance. But boat care doesn’t have to be expensive. For the savvy boat owner, boat detailing can be a cheap and easy do-it-yourself process. Read on to find out how it’s done!

Get the Proper Equipment

The most important thing to have for boat cleaning is a high quality, natural, marine soap. A list of some excellent choices can be found here.

Additional equipment includes marine-specific cleaning brushes, a large bucket, mops, washing pads, sponges, towels, and a chamois cloth for buffing.

Additionally, you should acquire all polishes and waxes, a vacuum cleaner, gel coat protectant, stain remover, and a hose or pressure washer beforehand in order to be fully covered for your boat cleaning experience.

Rinse Your Boat After Every Use

While this may seem like common sense, rinsing your boat after each use and cleaning it on the regular are some of the easiest ways to make your boat detailing experience run smoother.

When rinsing your boat, you should start from the top down. The purpose of this basic rinse is to remove any loose material or corrosive salt that can damage your boat’s finish if left to linger.

Also, as part of your boat’s general post-use rinsing make sure to vacuum any dirt from the interior. This will make the full detail of the interior much easier in the future.

Boat Detailing Is a Step by Step Process

Boat detailing is much easier when broken down into steps. The best methodology to follow is: rinse first, soap second, wax third, interior cleaning fourth, and finishing fifth.

You can take a deeper dive into what each step entails, or figure out a methodology that works best for your individual needs.

Don’t Air-Dry

One of the worst things you can do for your boat’s final appearance is to allow it to air-dry. This will cause unsightly spots and soap stains to develop.

If you are going to put in all of the efforts of detailing your boat you should finish it off like a professional. Use an absorbent cloth such as a PVA cloth to dry your boat correctly immediately after washing.

When in Doubt Let the Professionals Sort It Out

Boat detailing can be a tedious and time-consuming process, but for the truly motivated boat owner, it is feasible and rewarding. It is, however, not for everyone.

If your boat maintenance issues are causing you undue stress, it is highly recommended that you call a professional. A professional-grade detail will leave your boat looking like new, without the headache of doing it yourself.

Always Pay Attention to the Details

Whether you’re on the sea, sound, lake, or river the fact of the matter remains: boat detailing is an important part of improving not only a boat’s appearance but also its longevity as a piece of equipment.

If you don’t feel compelled to tackle the project by yourself, calling a professional might be your best option. Detail Time offers packages for every size and model of boat. Get a quote today, and do it the professional way!