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!


 Like us on Facebook   -   Follow Us on Twitter

Follow Us on Instagram   -   Find Us on LinkedIn 

Website: 

www.LSKLebanon.com






Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Advantages of Purchasing a Pontoon Boat!

Image
Pontoon boats are a popular choice for recreational boating in mid-MO due to their many advantages. First and foremost, pontoon boats are known for their stability and safety on the water. The design of a pontoon boat features two or more cylindrical floats (or "pontoons") that provide a wide base for the boat, making it much less likely to tip over than a traditional boat with a narrow hull. This is especially beneficial for families with young children or for those who are new to boating in Lake of the Ozarks . Follow along for all the advantages of purchasing a pontoon boat! One of the major advantages of pontoon boats is their spaciousness. They often feature large, open decks that can accommodate multiple people and provide ample room for lounging, sunbathing, and even dining. Many pontoon boats also come with built-in seating, tables, and other amenities that make them ideal for hosting parties or gatherings on the water. Pontoon boats are also known for their versat...
Read more

6 Tips for Buying Your First Boat

Image
If you’re thinking about purchasing a boat in mid-MO , LSK in Lebanon, MO has tons of great boat options for you to purchase! Before we dive into your options, it’s important that we highlight the process of buying a boat and some tips we think you should take. We understand that purchasing a boat at LSK is a massive commitment and a sizable financial investment, which is why we’re here to walk you through the process from start to finish. By taking these tips and applying them into your purchase process, you’re ensuring that you make the right purchase for you! Let’s take a look at 6 tips for buying your first boat in mid-MO ! Tip 1: Choose Your Boat Type The first step to buying your first boat is to choose the type of boat that will meet your needs. You should consider where and how you will use the boat that you purchase. Take the time to do your research! Tip 2: Determine Whether You Want New or Used Luckily, LSK in Lebanon, MO carries both new and used boats in our inve...
Read more

5 Steps to Boat Upkeep!

Image
If you’re a seasoned boat owner or a new boat owner, it’s important to remember that regular maintenance on a boat will ensure the longevity of the boat. By investing in year-round maintenance, you’re avoiding having to spend money on trying to fix major issues with your boat down the road. LSK in Lebanon is here to offer you some tips on how to upkeep your boat . By providing you with these tips, we want to make sure that no matter how much knowledge you have about boating you can be an expert when it comes to boat maintenance. 1.      Clean Interior and Exterior Keeping your boat’s interior and exterior clean is an essential part of maintaining the materials that make up your boat. You’ll want to clean your boat after taking it out on the water and before putting it in storage by wiping down the fiberglass on the exterior and the upholstery seats. Keep your boat dry to prevent mildew build up. 2.      Boat Engine Maintenance Similar to a ...
Read more