Many new boat owners ask about boat cleaning and maintenance tips that can keep their vessel looking clean longer. Maintaining your boat regularly will also make it easier to clean the next time around. Cleaning your hull often will prevent oxidization stains from sticking permanently.
Waxing your boat after cleaning will make your boat shine and also make dirt come off easily when you clean it. Practical boat valeting tips can also make the task of cleaning your boat easier and more effective. Follow these simple maintenance tips to make it easier to keep your boat clean.
1. Choose the right equipment to clean your vessel. Instead of using a bucket or garden hose, try to get your hands on a power washer. Power washing boats can cut your cleaning time by half and will require less effort on your part to get hard to reach places.
2. Use marine grade cleaning solutions, compounds and wax. If your boat is extremely dirty or if you take your vessel out into salt water, you should consider using stronger detergent and cleaning solutions meant to remove oxidization stains caused by sea water. Marine wax will also protect your hull from future stains.
3. Always use fresh water from the tap when cleaning your boat. Never use sea water for boat cleaning because salt water causes those ugly yellow stains on your hull. You might get dirt out but will leave your boat's surface vulnerable to oxidization stains.
4. Soak your boat's surface in soapy water before scrubbing it. Let the detergent soften up dirt and stains to make it easier to remove them. Leave the soap on your surface for about 10 to 15 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing.
5. If you are cleaning a large boat, clean small portions at a time. Soap a section first, scrub it and then rinse it before proceeding to the other parts of your boat. You can also dry your boat by portions to prevent water spots from forming.
6. Spot clean with commercial sport removers and lime-cleaning products between boat cleaning schedules. This lessens your work load later on and prevents the stains from becoming too tough to remove.
7. Clean glass windows and portholes with a glass cleaner or with a solution of water and vinegar. Use crumpled newspapers to remove streaks from the glass. Avoid using rags or cloth that leave lint when cleaning glass.
8. To make your fiberglass surface last longer, maintain it with a fiberglass reconditioning compound. This compound removes oxidization stains, water line marks, chalking, and water spots. They also deflect oil and tar in the water from sticking to your fiberglass surface.
9. Wax your boat after cleaning and drying it to keep your boat looking clean longer. 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.
10. Hire a professional to clean your boat a few times a year if you take your vessel out often. Sea water can do a lot of damage to your boat if it is not washed off properly. A professional boat valeting service can clean the entire vessel including your interiors and engine room.
Thorough boat cleaning should be performed regularly if you want to keep your vessel well-maintained. Occasional spot cleaning can prevent tough stains and molds from forming. You can perform small cleaning tasks yourself and let a professional boat valeting service do a thorough cleaning every now and then.
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