BOAT CLEANING TIPS
Some boat owners go overboard (pardon the pun) when it comes to cleaning
their boats. They seem to spend more time scrubbing and polishing their
vessels than actually cruising or fishing in them. While keeping a craft
clean is definitely an important aspect of boat ownership, it’s
not necessary to spend long, backbreaking hours to keep your boat looking
like new. You simply have to equip yourself with the right tools/products
and clean your boat regularly and efficiently. While a little bit of
"elbow grease" never hurts, the key is to clean your boat
"smarter" not "harder." This means developing an
effective cleaning routine, and making this ritual a habit after each
trip. The following pointers will help preserve your boat’s good
looks and protect your valuable recreational asset from the unforgiving
marine environment.
Choose the Right Cleaning Equipment
Before selecting your cleaning equipment and products, consider the
type of boat you have and its composition. This will ensure that you
have the right tools and materials in hand for the job. Choose cleaning
brushes that are sturdy and will get rid of stubborn dirt, grime and
salt, without damaging the finish or gel coat on your boat. A long,
sturdy handle on a scrub brush will allow you to reach hard-to-clean
areas without bending down, provide leverage, and help eliminate strain
on your back and arms. The brush portion should also be right for the
specific application. Don’t use a brush that’s too rough,
or it could damage your boat’s finish. For most situations, a
brush with medium-soft bristles will do just fine. Whatever type or
brand of brush you select, make sure the bristle material is durable
– strong enough to withstand repeated use, sun exposure, cleaning agents
and salt water. In addition to a good scrub brush, be sure to have other
necessities, such as a bucket (large enough for your brush), washing
pads, a mop, sponges, chamois cloths and towels handy. Store these items
in the same place each time, so you won’t have to search for them.
Select a Good, Environmentally-Friendly Soap
For marine use, you’ll want to select a soap that will be tough
on dirt, grime, salt and fish blood, yet easy on the environment. Don’t
use the same soap you would for cleaning dishes at home. Instead, select
an effective, biodegradable cleaning agent with a neutral pH factor.
If you use your craft in salt water, it’s especially important
to use soap and fresh water to completely remove the corrosive salt
build-up that can eat away at your boat. Be sure to follow the written
instructions on the cleaning product regarding dilution and general
usage. Be aware that certain "super concentrated" detergents
may not be suitable for your boat, as these cleansers can strip away
and damage finishes when left on for extended periods of time.
Get Ready for Some Good Clean Fun
Once you have the right cleaning tools and soap at your fingertips,
it’s time to start cleaning. While you’ll still have to
supply some "muscle," using the proper equipment and soap
will make giving your boat a bath an easier, quicker process. Before
you think about applying any cleaning agents or touching the hull with
a scrub brush, make sure you rinse the entire boat off completely. Whatever
you do, never scrub a dry boat or you will risk damaging the finish
or gel coat. When you clean, work from the top down. Lather up with
a sponge soaked in the soapy solution, scrub, and rinse sections of
your boat at a time. If you try to apply a soap and water to the entire
boat at once, portions may dry before you can get around to them for
scrubbing. If you have an outboard-powered boat, don’t forget
to lather up and rinse off the motor as well as the lower drive unit,
prop area and motor mounts, where corrosive salt and dirt tends to accumulate.
When it comes to scrubbing the deck, you can use the same cleaning solution
you use for your hull and your long-handled scrub brush. Some boat owners
choose to scrub their decks with bleach, however, this is a toxic substance
that’s harmful to the environment. For more environmentally friendly
deck cleaning, use a Borax or Hydrogen Peroxide solution instead.
Soak Things Up
Use soft drying cloths that are highly absorbent and will soak up water
without stripping or scratching. Chamois cloths or drying mops made
of chamois material are good choices. To avoid "spotting,"
be sure to dry off your boat immediately after washing and rinsing.
Wax On, Wax Off
Once you have dried off your boat completely, you may want to apply
a quality wax and buff to shine and protect the fiberglass. It’s
not really necessary to wax your boat after every use, but this should
be done at least once or twice during the season to preserve the luster
of the hull and protect against the elements and impurities. Use a quality
carnauba wax and apply several coats
Glass and Perspex Windows
A simple water and vinegar solution works well as a glass cleanser,
and it’s easy on the environment. If glass and Perspex is heavily
scratched, not much can be done in the way of repairs. The best course
of action is to guard against damage in the first place by applying
a clear silicon spray or polish to the windows and cleaning them with
a soft, non-abrasive cloth.
Making Your Metal Shine
There are many quality cleaners and sealants available for keeping the
chrome and stainless steel on your boat protected, shiny and bright.
After applying a light film on your brightwork, let sit for about 15
to 30 minutes. Then, wipe off with a clean cloth. After cleaning, you
may also want to apply a quality wax sealer/protectant to create a protective
barrier against the harsh elements. If your boat’s metalwork is
pitted or oxidized, apply a quality metal wax and leave it on the problem
area overnight. In the morning, take a piece of fine bronze wool and
gently scrub off the wax applied to the pitted or oxidized area. This
process, repeated several times, should make a considerable difference.
Taking Care of Teak
If you have teak on your boat, regular care will be required to maintain
the original rich color and protect the wood. For various reasons, it’s
best to varnish your teak. Instead, wash it off with the mild detergent
used for the hull, rinse, dry, and apply teak oil. If the teak is worn
and has lost some of its color, rub it gently with sandpaper (a heavier
grade at first, followed by a finer grade). Once the sanding is completed,
clean off the wood, allow it to dray and apply teak oil. Performing
this kind of maintenance will go a long way in keeping your boat’s
wood looking like it should.
Vinyl Upholstery
First, clean off your boat’s vinyl upholstery with a damp cloth
to remove grime, dirt and salt. You may want to follow this by applying
a quality vinyl cleaners/protectant and again wiping off the surface.
Once the upholstery is free of dirt and grime, apply a light film of
spray-on furniture polish and wipe with a clean cloth. This should help
guard against stains and preserve the life of your boat’s upholstery.
If mildew stains have formed on your vinyl upholstery, use a deck brush
with medium-soft bristles and scrub with a water and ammonia mixture
(4 parts water to one part ammonia). Follow with a freshwater rinse,
dry, and repeat this process if necessary. For tougher cases, several
effective commercial stain removers appropriate for use on vinyl upholstery
are available.
Carpeting Cleaning
If the cabin portion of your boat is carpeted, you should vacuum and
spot clean this area periodically. Using the specialized hose attachments
will help you remove dust and dirt from hard to reach places. Start
from the front of the cabin area and work toward the stern – this way
you won’t be stepping on areas you have already cleaned. To avoid
dirt or stains on your boat’s carpet, its best to avoid tracking
dirt or fish blood from the deck in the first place. If the carpet is
already stained or soiled, use a quality stain remover (following the
manufacturer’s instructions), followed by a steam-cleaning with
a carpet machine, if possible.
Cleaning/Degreasing Your Engine
It’s important to make cleaning your boat’s engine part
of your annual winterization ritual at the end of the season. Some boat
owners choose to do this themselves, while others opt to have this done,
along with other winterization tasks, by an experienced mechanic. A
quality engine cleaner/protectant, such as WD-40 or Boeshield T-9, used
in combination with a cleaning cloth, is usually sufficient for removing
accumulated dirt, grime and grease. These products also protect engine
parts by creating a protective shield from moisture. If it’s an
older engine with a considerable amount of build-up, you may need to
employ a more powerful de-greaser, such as "Gunk." Whatever
solutions you use, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions
carefully, and protect or seal off electrical engine parts first. If
grease is removed from key engine areas that require this lubrication,
be sure to re-apply some to these points upon completion of your cleaning.
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