10 Tips for Boat Cleaning and Maintenance |
Posted: August 15, 2018 |
Many new boat owners are looking for tips to clean to maintain and keep their boat in a good condition. Maintenance of your boat regularly will also make it easier to clean it for the next time. If boat cleaning is not your cup of tea, then you might hire a professional company to get the services related to boat washing in Cape Cod for a shiny and cleaner boat. Following are some tips to keep your boat clean: 1. Choose the right equipment to clean your vessel. Use a power washer instead of using a bucket or garden hose. Power washing boats will minimize the cleaning time by half. And this practice requires less effort on your part. 2. Use marine grade cleaning solutions, compounds, and wax for better cleaning results. Use strong detergent if your boat is extremely dirty or if you have taken it into salt water. The use of strong detergent is essential to remove oxidation stains caused by sea water. Additionally, use marine wax to protect your hull from future stains. 3. It is recommended to use fresh water from the tap when cleaning your boat. Do not use sea water for boat cleaning because salt in sea water will cause ugly yellow stains on your hull. Use of seawater might help you in removing dirt but this will leave your boat's surface vulnerable to oxidation stains. 4. Use soapy water to clean your boat’s surface before scrubbing it. Let the detergent soften up dirt and stains to make the removal process easier. Leave the soap on the surface for about 10 to 15 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing. 5. If you are going to clean a large boat then clean it by making small portions. First, apply soap on a section then scrub it and rinse it before proceeding to the next section of your boat. You can also dry your boat in portions to prevent the formation of water spots. 6. To clean spots use commercial removers and lime-cleaning products. Their frequent use prevents the stains from becoming too tough so removal becomes easy. 7. To clean your glass windows use a glass cleaner or a solution of water and vinegar. Use crumpled newspapers to eliminate streaks on the glass. Avoid using rags or cloth as they leave lint during cleaning glass. 8. Use a fiberglass reconditioning compound to make your fiberglass surface last longer. This compound helps you to remove oxidation stains, water line marks, chalking, and water spots. Furthermore, they also deflect oil and tar in the water from sticking to your fiberglass surface. 9. It is recommended to wax your boat after cleaning. Let it dry to keep your boat looking clean for a longer time period. It also prevents the surface from getting dirty quickly. Use marine grade wax and buff it with a power buffer to polish it more efficiently for a shinier look. 10. Clean your boat vinyl upholstery with a damp cloth to remove grime and dirt. To remove mildew-stains use a deck brush with medium-soft bristles and scrub using a water and ammonia mixture (4 parts water to one part ammonia). Use water to rinse, dry, and repeat this process if necessary. For tougher stains commercial stain removers for vinyl upholstery are available. 11. If your boat cabin portion is carpeted, then you should use a vacuum to clean it. You might use specialized hose attachments for removal of dirt and dust for hard to reach places. If your carpet is stained or soiled then use a quality stain remover followed by steam cleaning, if possible. 12. The boat engine and other key areas are lubricated with grease or oil. This is done for smooth running of the engine. To clean the grease, dirt or grime after a certain period of time, use quality engine cleaner products following manufacturer instruction. After completion of the cleaning process re-apply grease to the areas that require lubrication. 13. Hire a professional to clean your boat thrice a year only if you really take care of your boat. Seawater can do a lot of damage to your boat if cleaning is not done properly. A company that provides professional boat hull care in Cape Cod will offer you an efficient boat cleaning service without any serious damages.
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