I provide a print out of this write up with every boat detail invoice that I hand to a customer or send through email. I'm not trying to be ignorant and I know one doesn't need a PhD to wash a boat. This is just me providing my boat maintenance procedures on a month to month basis just so my customers don't have to second guess anything or just to remind them how important it is to keep up on your boats maintenance or it will either cost more money than you'd like to spend or it's going to take a lot more effort if your the one doing the maintenance.
I recommend the following boat surface maintenance schedule and frequencies, which will depend on the environment the boat lives in. If it rains often, then it’s recommended to wash and apply a hydro rinse SiO2 sealant weekly or every other week, at most. If the boat has seen minimal rain events most of the time, then you may get away with a boat wash and hydro rinse SiO2 sealant application about every two weeks to three and possibly monthly. That is, if you do a detail spray sealant wipe down weekly. Just remember, the more you maintain the less effort is needed.
At the end of this write-up I provide links and a list of my recommended products and tools I use on a daily basis!
My Boat Surface Maintenance Schedule
Month To Month
How I maintenance our boats on a month to month schedule after a full boat detail
(when minimal rain events are experienced):
Week #1}
***By hand apply detail spray sealant and buff into the gel coat, then up with a separate microfiber towel to buff the gel coat to a brilliant shine.
Week #2}
***Hose down entire boat with water ***next spray hydro rinse SiO2 sealant and rinse off as directed on the label ***next dry boat with microfiber towel
Week #3}
***Repeat Week #1
Week #4}
***Wash entire boat with a pH balanced boat soap. Best if applied with a high or low pressure foam cannon or by bucket and soft brush ***Let the foam sit on surface for about 5-10 minutes to actively break down contamination and dirt. Do not let the soap dry, if it wants to dry lightly spray water to keep it moist ***Next, I rinse the boat from top down ***If I see spots that are still dirty a spray boat soap foam back on those areas and scrub with a wash mitt, soft brush or sponge ***Next, I rinse the boat from top down again ***Then spray on hydro rinse Sio2 sealant and hose off as directed on label ***Then finally dry boat with microfiber towel.
If the boat has been rained on often, I will wash more frequently (boat wash every 2 weeks with detail spray sealant wipe downs in between)
Don’t wash too much because you will wear down the gel coat protection, and don’t skip your surface maintenance or you’ll have to work harder to clean the boat of stains and water spots.
Detail spray sealant and hydro rinse SiO2 sealant products are the key to properly keeping your boat’s gel coat well protected and looking good throughout the season. It is the only way to help refresh the wax or sealant previously applied at the beginning of the season. By doing a maintenance schedule similar to this your boat should look just as clean and shiny as it did at the beginning of the season.
Stop using degreasers or harsh cleaners like Dawn, Bleach, Orange Cleaner & etc. to clean your boat. You can use these on the non skid or swim platform or scum line, but don’t use on your bow cause it will rinse off over your smooth gel coat surfaces and strip off the protection coating that has been previously applied.
Usually soaps that are labeled “Wash & Wax” and “Boat Soaps” are safe to use and won’t wash off waxes, sealants or ceramic coatings. The only safe soaps are ones that specifically say “pH balanced” or “will not harm protection coating”. The best soaps to use are the ones that produce the most foam which is what actively works to break down the dirt on the surface. The best way to produce a lot of foam is through a high pressure foam cannon that connects to a pressure washer. Secondly, a low pressure cannon that connects to the basic water hose. Third, by pouring 2 or 3 ounces in an empty bucket and with good pressure from the hose, fill up the bucket, then by hand spread the foaming soap using a soft brush on a pole.
Other Maintenance Suggestions:
Canvas:
At the start of each season I clean mooring covers & bimini tops with a fabric or canvas cleaner and a soft brush. Clean them while on the boat or spread them out on a smooth flat surface, scrub them down, rinse, and let air dry. Try not to use high pressure when cleaning to keep the stitching from premature damage. After fully dried two light coats of a fabric/canvas waterproofing should be applied to extend the life of your canvas and to keep dirt, mold & mildew off. This also helps to minimize black streaks from forming on your boat after a rain storm. If you notice that when it rains that the water drops aren't beading and rolling off the canvas then it's due for an application of waterproofing. I like using 303 Fabric Guard here is their website www.303products.com
Brightwork:
Maintaining stainless steel is much easier in freshwater unlike saltwater environments. Stainless can still age rapidly if not maintained properly. In freshwater environments cleaning, polishing and protecting should be done 2 or 3 times a year to fully keep it looking as good as it did on day 1. In saltwater weekly should be considered. Any stainless steel cut of from oxygen will begin to rust in a year or 2. Examples: If canvas is wrapped around it or washers that are tightened in between fiberglass. There is nothing you can do other than replacing those washers when they rust. But if you see orange/brown streaks on your boat, that is most likely the cause. I like using Woody Wax here is their website www.woodywax.com
Bilge Compartments:
To me nasty smells are embarrasing when guests are onboard and a engine compartment that looks like a swamp won't make your mechanics very happy. I suggest that these compartments get put on the routine maintenance list. Most of the time, if kept up with, it’s as simple as dumping a bottle of bilge cleaner in to the bilge compartments and the natural rocking of the boat does the work for you over time. One of the few times I use bleach on a boat is here. I fill a spray bottle with 1/2 bleach + 1/2 water and spray up as high as possible on the bilge walls down to the bottom all the way around the boat or as much as physically possible and let that set for the day. If there is mold left I will spot treat it and sometimes scrubbing it of is needed. Then hose down the walls until all the mold & mildew washes out. If there is still mildew present I will repeat the spot treatment once again. As long as you have a properly working bilge pump there is no need to worry that you will flood the boat, these pumps should easily handle a hose on full blast. If not, I suggest you upgrade to a bigger pump, but before that check for a clog, kinked or broken hose. After the compartment is cleaned pouring bilge cleaner in your compartments once a month or every other week will help keep it clean and smelling much better. Plus your mechanics will love you for keeping them from slipping on mildew while servicing your engine. No mechanic wants to work in a swamp like engine compartment, trust me, I've been told by some mechanics that they will charge more if they have to sit in mild & mildew for hours. I will at least notify the boat owner that they can clean it or I will for a cleaning fee. I like using Starbrite Bilge Cleaner pictured below. Here is their website www.starbrite.com
Supplier and Product Company Sites:
These are some of the best detailing suppliers and product manufactures in the industry. Highly recommend any of the products that you find on these websites. I use them daily!
www.shinesupply.com | www.starkeyachtcare.com | www.menzerna.com | www.jescarfinishing.com | www.prestaproducts.com
(I'm not affiliated with and I'm not paid by these manufacturers or suppliers listed above. I only provide a link for I believe anyone reading this blog would benefit themselves by using these products.)
Detailing Machines and Tools Recommendations:
Highly recommend any of the products that you find on these websites. I use them daily!
www.shurhold.com Boat Deck Brushes and Handle System
www.maxshineusa.com Dual Action Polishers (M21 Pro Long Throw)
www.dewalt.com Rotary Polisher (DWP849X 7"-9" Variable Speed)
www.shurhold.com Dual Action Polisher (5"-6" DA "little one")
www.lakecountrymfg.com Buffing & Polishing Pads (Purple Foamed Knitted Wool Pads)
www.buffandshine.com Buffing & Polishing Pads (White, Yellow & Blue Wool)
www.chemicalguys.com Foam Pads (Hex-Logic Quantum)
www.theragcompany.com Rags & Towels (Eaglet 500, Liquid8R, Eagle Edgeless & +more)
www.chemicalguys.com Electric Pressure Washer (Proflow PM2000 psi)
www.mtmhydroparts.com Foam Cannons (PF 22.2 & GH F1)
(I'm not affiliated with and I'm not paid by these manufacturers or suppliers listed above. I only provide a link for I believe anyone reading this blog would benefit themselves by using these products.)
Happy boating and safe travels!
This Blog Was Written By:
Brian Oinos
Owner & Operator
Out Of This World Boatworks LLC
Three Rivers Of Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Specializing In: Mobile Boat Detailing , Marine Audio, Lighting & Electronics Installations Plus Boat Maintenance & Repairs Of Pittsburgh PA & Surrounding Areas
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