Boats are made of different materials. The interior surface includes materials like fiberglass, vinyl, and fabric, while the exterior surface has materials like canvas and gel coats. You need to make sure you are using the right cleaning products. Proper boat maintenance can only be followed if you have the right tools.
Since boats were made of aluminum, wood, or steel in the past, cleaning them was easier. You didn’t have to think twice before splashing the hull with a bucket of soapy water and then scrubbing the surface.
Today, most boats are made with fiberglass, a versatile material because of its strength, resistance to heat and chemicals, and lack of density. It is stronger than steel and, at the same time, lightweight, which is why most people prefer fiberglass boats.
Boat Washing 101
Things Required
- A bucket for rinsing the boat
- Wash mitt
- A water house
- Long-handled brushes (Soft and stiff bristles)
- The absorber (Do not air dry as it will leave white streaks behind)
- An environmentally friendly and paint-safe soap
- Boat wax
- Applicator pads and chrome polish
- The glosser for a detailed wipe
- Microfiber cloth for the dash gear
- Buffing balls that will firmly sit on top of a 3/8-inch drill
- Safety goggles, gloves, and overalls
Step-by-Step Instructions on Boat Cleaning
- Use the hose to rinse your boat. The pressure will remove any dirt and caked-on grime. Start from the highest point and let the dirty water cascade down to overlap and give the bottom dirt time to loosen up.
- Add liquid soap and water to a bucket. Make sure that the soap you are using is for cleaning boats. Household detergents are not a good option. Their pH balance makes them abrasive, and they might damage the gel coat on the surface.
- For stubborn stains, use a soft bristle long-handled brush. Dip it in the bucket and then scrub the high and low areas. Repeat with the wash mitt to clear the dirt. Do not scrub too hard, or you might scrub away the protective finish.
- Rinse the boat with the hose once again. This time, remove the nozzle so that the water pressure is soft.
- Use a microfiber cloth to dry the boat. You can also use the absorber to prevent any residue from getting left behind.
- Now, buff the surface and prepare the surface for waxing. Look at the directions on the back to make sure that you are applying them correctly.
Full Detailing
For full boat detailing, wash the windshield and windows with the absorber, vacuum the seats and floors, polish the cleats, ladders, horns, and railing, scrub non-skid flooring, spray the vinyl cleaner and then a UV blocker on the seats, and clean the gauges and other dash gear instruments.
And you are done with the cleanup! You can now sit back and admire your boat that looks spotless from to bottom. Experts recommend that you should clean your boat twice a month. So, make sure that you have stocked up all the supplies.
If you have a floating dock or a drive-on dock, you won’t face any difficulty bringing it on land, where it will be easier to clean your boat.
If you are looking for quality covered floating docks or do-it-yourself docks, visit the EZ Dock website. They offer docks for residential, commercial, governmental like Texas state park docks and industrial purposes. For more information, call (800) 654-8168.
