Boat Cleaning Tips: The Right Equipment Makes The Difference
Boating is one of the best experiences that you can have on open water
. Boats involve a large amount of cleaning and maintenance, though, which can be time consuming and not particularly fun. Some boat owners spend as much time, if not more, cleaning their boats than they actually spend using them on the water. While keeping your boat clean and maintained is vital, there is no reason that you should spend a majority of your time cleaning and polishing. By using the appropriate equipment and cleaning products, you can save time while maintaining your boat's beauty and protecting it from the harsh marine elements. You can also decrease the time and effort of cleaning your boat by cleaning it routinely and by using boat covers when it is not in use.Cleaning Your Boat's Exterior -- Using the Proper Equipment
The type of boat you have and the materials from which it is made will determine what equipment and products are best for cleaning it. For most boats, you will need a sturdy brush for cleaning tough dirt, grime, stains, and salt. The brush should not be so harsh and rigid that it could damage your boat's finish or clear coat. Your brush should have a sturdy handle, long enough to reach all areas of your boat, up high and down low. This will decrease the chances of arm and back strain and will give you the needed leverage for effective boat cleaning. The brush and its bristles should be strong enough to withstand repeated use with cleaning products, exposure to the weather, and even salt water. Other helpful products for boat cleaning include buckets large enough for your brush, sponges, mops, towels, and chamois cloths. Very important for your boat as well as the environment is your choice of soap. You should use a soap that is tough on dirt and grime, yet safe for the environment. Use a biodegradable soap with a neutral ph factor. Do not use dish washing detergents; they are too harsh and could cause damage to the finish of your boat. If you use your boat in salt water, it's important that you use fresh water and soap to get rid of the salt build-up that can corrode your boat's finish. Always be sure to follow the boat manufacturer's instructions on how to clean your boat. Do not allow the soap to dry and remain on your boat for any length of time.
Cleaning Your Boat's Exterior -- The Most Efficient Process
Now that you have the right cleaning products and equipment for the exterior of your boat, you can begin to clean. First, rinse the entire boat with clean, fresh water. This will remove and loosen any dirt, grime, and impurities that may have built up on the finish. Never brush or scrub a dry boat, as this may scratch or damage your boat's finish or clear coat. Use a sponge or washing cloth with soapy water, and begin by lathering areas at the top of the boat, working your way down. Working from the top to the bottom of the boat will keep suds from running over the already cleaned areas, which would then need to be re-rinsed. Lather only one area at a time; if you lather the entire boat, the suds will dry and cause you to have to rewash the cleaned areas again to prevent streaking. Once you have lathered the area, use your scrub brush to scrub away any dirt and grime before rinsing. To prevent water spots, use chamois cloths or dry, soft towels to dry off any moisture after washing. Once or twice each season, you should wax and polish your fiberglass boat to protect the shine of the boat's finish. Use a quality wax, such as a carnauba wax, for best protection.
Caring for the Details
Other components of your boat that may need special attention include metal trim and rails, glass or Perspex windows, and any wood trim or decking. Use a top quality cleaner and sealant for any chrome or stainless steel on your boat. For pitted or oxidized places on any metal surfaces, use of a metal wax can improve their condition. Follow the metal cleaner manufacturer's recommended instructions. Depending on the severity of the damage of your metal surfaces, the cleaning process may need to be repeated several times. For the glass and Perspex windows, a top quality glass cleaner can be used, or a water and vinegar solution may work just as well. If the Perspex glass is already heavily scratched, there may not be much that can be done to repair it; but, there may be some newer products available that can improve these damaged conditions. Teak wood trim and decking should be varnished to preserve them and keep them looking like new. If the wood is already worn or faded, you can sand it and then protect it by applying teak oil.
Cleaning the Boat's Engine
You will need to clean and most likely degrease the engine or motor of your boat. It is essential to make cleaning your boat's engine part of your annual winterization routine at the end of the season. Some boat owners choose to do this themselves, while others choose 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 with a cleaning cloth is usually enough to remove accumulated dirt, grime, and grease. These products also protect engine parts by creating a protective barrier from moisture. If it's an older engine with a considerable amount of buildup, 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 once you are done with the cleaning.
Cleaning Your Boat's Interior
You will also want to clean the interior of your boat, including the carpets and vinyl upholstery. For the carpets, you should vacuum them to remove any loose dirt and grime. And if there are any spots, you should treat the spots with a quality stain remover, always following the manufacturer's recommended instructions. After vacuuming and spot cleaning, use a good steam cleaner. Start at the front of the boat and work your way back to avoid walking on the cleaned areas until they have completely dried. If a steam cleaner is not an option, scrub with a stiff bristled brush and a soapy solution and then rinse. Again, allow wet areas to dry entirely before walking on them. For the vinyl upholstery in your boat, first wipe off with a damp cloth to remove any dirt, grime, or salt. Then, use a quality vinyl cleaner and wipe off all of the seats and padding inside the boat. For mildew buildup, use a mixture of four parts water to one part ammonia and scrub with a medium soft bristled brush. After cleaning, apply a light coat of furniture polish that is recommended for vinyl. This will protect and help guard against spots and stains, and it will help preserve your boat's upholstery for a long time.
Covering Your Boat with Quality Boat Covers
After you have cleaned your boat, you should cover it with a quality protective boat cover. Whenever you store your boat, whether for the short term or long term, clean the interior and the exterior as much as possible, then cover it with a boat cover to keep it clean until you remove the cover on your next outing. Your boat will be as clean as when you covered it up. Whether your boat is stored outside or being towed on a trailer, boat covers will protect from moisture, leaves, bird droppings, and other potentially damaging outdoor elements. Whether your boat is a bass fishing boat, ski boat, deck boat, pontoon, v-hull, or another type, it's important to protect your investment with protective boat covers.
Even though there is a good deal involved in caring for and maintaining boats properly, using the right equipment and products, protecting them with boat covers, and establishing a regular routine of cleaning will reduce the overall amount of time and effort spent on maintenance. Less time boat cleaning means more time enjoying your boat out on the water.
by: Trey Collier Boat hire-an unforgettable experience Do It Yourself - Build A Boat Dock Arts And Crafts - Build A Model Sailboat Selecting The Right Boca Raton, Fl Boat Kerala Houseboat Tour Beautiful Options To Explore Enchanting Backwaters Go To Have The Ulitmate Vacation Sailing Through Peaceful Bodies Of Water Brought To You By Mediterr Cambodia: Bike and Boat Number One Rule of Boating: No Stupidity! Sail Into The Sunset - Build A Model Sailboat Boat Towable Toys For The Whole Family Best Boats For Deep Sea Fishing How To Repair A Fiberglass Hull On A Boat? Bumper Boats Are An Amusement Park Ride