My Boat Exterior Surface Maintenance Schedule
- Brian Oinos
- Jun 13, 2024
- 9 min read
Updated: Mar 22
Have you ever wondered how to keep your boat looking as pristine as the day you bought it? Hi, I'm Brian, and I run a small boat service business in Pittsburgh, PA. I provide mobile detailing, marine audio & LED lighting installations, and boat maintenance & repairs. My clients are boat owners who own a wide variety of boats. Everything from PWCs, open bow, ski/wake, fishing, pontoon, cigarette, and center console boats plus the bigger express cruisers, motor yachts, and houseboats that make use of the great Three Rivers Of Pittsburgh PA, and beyond as well as the numerous small lakes in the region. Sizes range from about 18' up to about 45'+. Let me share some tips that can help you maintain your boat's exterior with ease.
Month-to-Month Maintenance Plan
Hey boat owners! I get it—some of you might think I’m a bit nuts for suggesting you clean your boat regularly, and that's cool. You can skip a week or two each month and still keep your boat looking better than most. But if you want your boat to look sharp and keep those detailing costs and/or labor to a minimum, sticking to a routine makes a difference.
So check out my suggested plan below. Remember this maintenance schedule is only useful after a thorough multi-step compound, polish & sealant application at the beginning of the season.
For best results hire a professional marine detail company, unless you have the equipment, products, time, patience, and skill to properly refurbish the gel coat exterior of your boat.
I will list the products and tools we use at the end of this blog if you want to try what I believe are some of the best marine products on the market. These aren't the cheapest, but pros all over the world use these products for a good reason.
Week 1:
Wash the entire boat using a thick foaming pH-balanced boat soap (two of my favorite products are Koch Chemie Active Foam and Gentle Snow Foam), best to apply using a foam cannon attached to a pressure washer or foaming pump sprayer or a basic bucket and brush.
First, rinse the entire boat then apply the boat soap, allowing the foam to dwell/sit for 10-15 minutes.
For any stubborn spots, reapply soap and scrub gently with a soft or medium brush. Next if using a pressure washer power wash/rinse away dirt.
(I suggest reading the directions on the label if you haven't used this type of coating before) Now while the surface is still wet apply Nautical One Hydro Rinse SiO2 Coating and immediately power rinse the coating into the surface. You will see the coating spreading over the gel coat. Instantly you'll notice the water beading and rolling off the surface. Lastly, dry with a microfiber towel or forced air.
Week 2:
Using a pressure washer, power rinse the entire boat down while making sure to hit any dirty spots.
Apply Starke Hydro Guard Spray Sealant, spray on, and buff it into the surface with a microfiber, then follow up with a fresh, clean microfiber to buff in the remaining sealant till a brilliant shine is revealed.
Week 3:
Clean your boat's surface according to the label with Starke Hydrate Waterless Wash RTU.
Then apply either Starke Hydro Guard Spray Sealant or Nautical One Hydro Rinse SiO2 Coating. Choose one and follow the process I explained before.
Week 4:
Rinse the whole boat down.
Apply, either Starke Hydro Guard Spray Sealant or Nautical One Hydro Rinse SiO2 Coating. Preferably choose the opposing one that you choose to use from the prior week.
Week #1
Repeat the monthly maintenance schedule and continue this weekly maintenance plan throughout the boating season as best as you can.
Now I know nobody will follow my boat exterior surface maintenance schedule to the tee. I do not blame anyone for not wanting to detail their boat every single week throughout the boating season. That is fine, it's your life, your boat. Honesty, I don't do it every week either. This is just a perfect world scenario and to show you how I try to change up the process from week to week
But, if you live in a salt water environment you should really be at least rinsing down your vessel weekly.
If you scrub your boat excessively you risk weakening the original polymer or wax coating that was applied at the beginning of the season. But if you perform about one soap and scrub wash a month with light cleanings in between while also applying a quick coat of protection after (which doing so revitalizes the original coating) then your boat should easily stay protected until it is time to put it away for winter.
Important Considerations
These days, traditional paste waxes are pretty much a thing of the past. Instead, we’ve got new products like SiO2 polymer, graphene, and ceramic sealants for gel coat protection. I still love using a high-quality paste wax on darker hulls because it makes the color pop and adds some extra protection. Then, I always finish up with a SiO2 polymer sealant to lock in that gorgeous shine and keep it lasting. Plus, for a quick freshen-up of protection during the season, using spray sealants and hydro rinse SiO2 products is a must to keep your boat fully protected from the elements.
Avoid using harsh cleaners such as degreasers, bleach, or household cleaners such as Dawn on your boat's surfaces, as they will strip away protective coatings. Instead, opt for soaps labeled as “pH balanced” or “safe for waxes and sealants.” The most effective soaps produce ample foam, which aids in breaking down dirt. A high-pressure foam cannon is an excellent tool for achieving this effective method of cleaning.
By following this maintenance regimen, your boat can retain its shine and cleanliness, reminiscent of its condition at the start of the season. For further assistance, I have included links and a list of recommended products that I use regularly, and I know other professional detailers all over the world would agree!
Happy boating!
Other Maintenance Suggestions That Should Be Apart Of Your Boat Exterior Surface Maintenance Schedule:
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 completely drying, apply two light coats of fabric/canvas waterproofing. Doing so each season will extend the life of your canvas and keep dirt, mold & mildew at bay. This also helps to minimize black streaks from forming on your boat after a rain storm. If you notice that when it rains the water drops aren't beading and rolling off the canvas then it's due for a reapplication 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 well protected and looking great. In saltwater, weekly should be considered. Any stainless steel cut off from oxygen will begin to rust in a year or two. Examples: If the canvas is wrapped around it or washers that are tightened in between fiberglass will keep that section of stainless steel from breathing properly. Usually, there is nothing you can do other than replace those washers when they rust. But if you see orange/brown streaks on your boat, that is most likely the cause. For this, we like using Woody Wax and many owners and detailers in saltwater environments swear by it. Here is their website www.woodywax.com
Bilge Compartments:
To me, nasty smells are embarrassing when guests are onboard and an 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 into 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 off is needed. Then hose down the walls until all the mold & mildew wash out. If there is still mildew present I will repeat the spot treatment once again. 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 like using Starbrite Bilge Cleaner pictured below. Here is their website www.starbrite.com
My Suggested Products Mentioned Above:
You'll find these products on my boats, in my work truck & in my shop!
www.knochchemie.com Chemical Products, Pads, Polishers, Accessories
www.starkeyachtcare.com Hydro Guard Sealant Spray & All Other Products
www.nautical1.com Hydro Rinse SiO2 Coating & All Other Products
www.the303products.com Fabric Guard & All Other Products
www.woody-wax.com Fiberglass & Non-Skid Deck Wax and Metal Restoration
www.starbrite.net/ Bilge Cleaner & All Other Products
(I'm not affiliated with and I'm not paid by these manufacturers or suppliers listed above. I only provide names & links because I believe anyone reading this blog would benefit themselves by acquiring these products.)
My Supplier and Product Company Sites That I Order:
These are some of the best-detailing suppliers and product manufacturers 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 names & links because I believe anyone reading this blog would benefit themselves by acquiring these products.)
My Detailing Machines and Tools Recommendations:
Highly recommend any of the products that you find on these websites. I use them daily!
(When I label "Budget Friendly" I mean compared to the competition of similar quality)
www.shurhold.com Boat Deck Brushes and Handle System
www.maxshineusa.com Dual Action Polishers (M21 Pro Long Throw)(Budget Friendly)
www.dewalt.com Rotary Polisher (DWP849X 7"-9" Variable Speed)(Budget Friendly)
www.shurhold.com Dual Action Polisher (5"-6" DA "little one")(Budget Friendly)
www.mtmhydroparts.com Foam Cannons (PF 22.2 & GH F1)
www.chemicalguys.com Electric Pressure Washer (Proflow PM2000 psi)
(I'm not affiliated with and I'm not paid by these manufacturers or suppliers listed above. I only provide names & links because I believe anyone reading this blog would benefit themselves by acquiring these products.)
My Buffing & Polishing Pads & Rags Recommendations:
Can't go wrong with aby of the Lake Country or Buff & Shine Pads
(Just make sure you take the time to understand how each pad is used to get the best end result)
www.buffandshine.com Buffing & Polishing Pads (White, Yellow & Blue Wool)
www.lakecountrymfg.com Buffing & Polishing Pads (Purple Foam/Wool Hybrid & Wool Pads)
www.chemicalguys.com Foam Pads (Hex-Logic Quantum Heavy Cut to Finishing)(Budget Friendly)
www.theragcompany.com Rags & Towels (Eaglet 500, Liquid8R, Eagle Edgeless & +more)
(I'm not affiliated with and I'm not paid by these manufacturers or suppliers listed above. I only provide names & links because I believe anyone reading this blog would benefit themselves by acquiring these products.)
Happy boating and safe travels!
This Blog Was Written By:
Owner & Operator Of
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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