HOW TO CLEAN YOUR BOAT’S EXTERIOR
If you missed our last blog, we discussed how to clean the
interior of your boat to help with maintenance. This week, we are going to
break down the crucial parts of cleaning a boat’s exterior. To ensure your
boat’s longevity, read along and try your best to regularly keep up with the
cleaning maintenance of your boat. Our boat
dealer in mid-Missouri is excited to help you increase the lifespan of your
boat with these cleaning tips!
Not only do we want to give you the best suited boat for
your needs at LSK Lebanon, but also,
we’re trying to make sure it’s the best quality possible. To increase quality,
we suggest increasing longevity with cleaning your boat.
Just like the interior, there are different sections of the exterior that you will need to focus on one at a time. These are the different sections you’ll want to focus on:
HULL BOTTOMS
Most likely you store your boat on a lift or a trailer of
some sort. If this is the case, you’re going to make sure you treat it the same
as gel-coated surfaces. These surfaces must have protection and require maintenance
regularly. This helps to keep these areas shiny and, helps prevent the
oxidation process. Every spring, it’s necessary to apply two coats of paste
wax. To give extra shine, apply liquid carnauba wax every single month.
Finally, you’ll wash your boat after every use. Make sure when you wash, the
soap has some sort of liquid wax in it.
On the other hand, if your keep your boat in a wet slip
instead, you need to have it painted with antifouling paint if you haven’t
already.
HULL AND GEL-COATED AREAS
Gel-coated surfaces and hulls need to be treated exactly
like the hull bottom. You need to make sure it has protection and maintenance
regularly to keep it shiny and clean.
CANVASES
Just like a lot of things on your boat, your boat canvas
needs monthly cleaning to prevent stains. It’s quite simple. Hose down the
canvas and take a brush with soft bristles and gently scrub it. You will want
to make sure you used a mild soap. Then, you’ll rinse it with water.
Even though you’ll be keeping up with the canvas cleaning
monthly, it’s best to do a heavier cleaning every three years or so. This means
if your canvas portion is small enough you can throw it in the washing machine on
a gentle cycle with warm water, two cups of baking soda, and soap. However, say
your canvas is too big for the washing machine. Instead, you will have to scrub
by hand. Depending on the manufacturer of your boat/canvas, you’ll either use
bleach, a quarter-cup of soap, and a gallon of water OR baking soda and soap.
Before doing this, check with the manufacturer.
TEAK
Luckily the teak is easy to clean, as well. I’m sure you’re
tired of having us remind you to clean this regularly. The teak isn’t an exception.
Cleaning regularly will prolong the blackening and wear of your teak.
Eventually when the teak blackens, an acid-based teak cleaner will be
necessary. You’ll find either mild one-part solutions or stronger two-part
solutions. It’s best to follow the instructions of these solutions very
closely. Remember: you MUST remove the teak from the boat to use these cleaners
otherwise other parts of the boat will become damaged.
ENGINES
Regardless of inboard or outboard engines, they need to be
cleaned inside and out. Outboard engines require waxing the exterior and cowl.
After, wash them with soap and water. Use a microfiber cloth to dry or clean to
avoid damage.
Inboard engines are best to be handed over to a professional
due to the amount of electrical within them.
Now, that we have given you your ‘how-to,’ remember to make
a list of parts of your boat that need to be cleaned regularly and when. LSK is happiest to see your boats last
years to come. We are happy to help guide you in the right direction. See you
out on the lake!
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