If you’re a boater, your vessel is likely to be among your most sought-after assets. Making sure your boat is in good shape is a priority to protect your investment. You need to know how to wash your boat to keep it in top condition.
Knowing how to clean an entire boat comes down to the basic maintenance of your boat. You’ll require the equipment to use for regular cleaning: microfiber cloth, vinyl cleaner, stain remover, a soft bristle broom, and other things that keep it in good condition.
The clean and neat boat can extend the life of the components that are on board, so you can have more fun on your boat and bring in top-dollar when it’s time to sell it in for a new vessel. Let’s go over a few points to keep at the forefront when considering how to clean your boat.
Before you start, make sure you have all the cleaning tools you’ll need to do the job properly. In the end, there’s nothing worse than putting in the hours only to need to start all over again, or even worse it’s damaging your boat.
The basic equipment and equipment you’ll require
- Soft bristle brush
- The leather of Shammy is a towel or dry cloth
- Washing your boat (Phosphate free)
- Fiberglass polish
- Boat wax
Begin by tapping the waterline of the boat in order to not get any products on the underside. You can also remove the antifouling and clean it.
Next, give your boat a good rinse with fresh water, and then apply the wash with a soft bristle brush. Make sure you’ve scrubbed all of the boats and work to enhance how you look after any substantial marks using a stain remover.
Once this is complete, rinse the boat down yet again, so that you eliminate any soapsuds which may remain on. You can get a quality boat wash from PS7 to PS14 from various outdoor stores or chandleries. Well-known brands include Starbite, 3M, and Pro Marine. And if you like doing your bit for Mother Nature, there are also a number of environmentally-friendly boat cleaning products you can get your hands on.
Make sure not to use household cleaners like washing-up fluid when you clean your boat. It will strip existing layers of wax off your boat, which means that you’ll need to apply wax on it more frequently at some point in the near future. Washing-up liquids aren’t intended for marine use and are harmful to waterways.
Use a dry towel to apply a uniform layer of polish onto your vessel. Try not to get polish onto your fishing rod holders and other boat equipment that doesn’t require polish. Once the boat is covered thoroughly, clean her using a dry, rag or towel, which will help to get rid of dust from the boat before you apply the wax. A good polish for your boat can allow you to return to PS18 with several companies that offer good products.
In the next step on the list; in circular motions, you should cover your boat with wax. Make sure you don’t miss any patches, as the wax will give you that fantastic shine. Once you’re done, rub over the wax using an abrasive towel to reveal your hull looking sparkling clean and as good as new. You’ll be able to get a high-quality boat wax for somewhere between PS10 and PS20 at chandleries and outdoor shops.