After a long day out on the water, you may wonder how important cleaning your boat really is.
Keeping your boat clean not only allows you to have a more enjoyable time out on the water but also helps keep your boat in the best condition possible by preventing corrosion and other types of damage and deterioration.
Here’s a quick guide on how to clean your boat and prevent damage from occurring.
Boat Cleaning Instructions
Before doing anything else, thoroughly rinse every inch of the boat. This will prevent any damage to the finish or gel coat when scrubbing your boat.
After rinsing the boat, use a sponge soaked in a boat cleaner to scrub, then re-rinse, the boat. It is necessary to do this section by section from the top down. If you try to do the whole boat at once, some of the cleaning solution may dry before you get a chance to scrub it.
For outboard-powered boats, you will also need to use the cleaning solution on the motor and motor mounts, lower drive unit, and prop area. This will help remove the corrosive salt and dirt that often accumulates in these areas.
Immediately after scrubbing and rinsing your boat, use soft, highly absorbent cloths to soak up the remaining water. The sooner you dry off your boat, the less likely it is for spotting to occur. Plus, by using soft cloths, you will ensure that you will not strip or scratch the paint off your boat.
Cleaning Fiberglass and Aluminum
If you own a fiberglass or aluminum boat, you may want to give it a quick wash every time it’s used, making sure to include the engine and trailer. This will help you avoid any staining and keep your boat clean throughout the season, preventing a difficult end-of-season cleaning.
A vinegar and water solution is recommended to clean aluminum boats, though car wash and water may debatably also work. Fiberglass boats should be cleaned using just soap and water.
Maintaining Metal and Teak
To remove any pitting or oxidation on a metal frame, you can apply a metal wax and leave it on the damaged area for a night. Then, scrub off the wax with fine bronze wool. This process may have to be done multiple times before you see much difference.
To maintain and protect the teak on your boat, be sure to varnish the wood with teak oil or teak sealer after cleaning, rinsing, and drying it. In the scenario that the teak has become worn, gently sand the wood.
Waxing Your Boat
You will want to wax your boat at least once or twice during the season.
Waxing and buffing your boat will not only make it look better but will also protect the hull from the elements. Some recommend applying several coats of high-quality wax to do this.
Once you have waxed your boat, you can apply a wax sealer to further protect the hull against the elements.
Keeping Your Boat Clean
Regularly cleaning and maintaining your boat may be time-consuming, but it is worth it.
By performing regular cleaning and maintenance you are preventing damage and deterioration to your boat. This will help your boat last longer and run better.
If you want to keep your boat in better shape through boat detailing, contact us today to receive a quote.