Boat Cleaners and Waxes

Boat Cleaners & Waxes How-Tos

Various Types And Uses Of Boat Cleaning Products

Without proper care and maintenance, even the most sturdy and elegant boat will lose its appeal. Regular use, small mishaps, elements of weather, and many other factors contribute to the aging of a boat. The only way to combat aging, wear, and tear is through use of the following boat cleaning products.

Boat Waxes

Boat waxes are used to protect the body of the boat against moisture, dirt, the elements, as well as harmful Ultra-violet (UV) rays from the sun. The product also helps maintain or improve the luster or glossiness. The wax doesn't need to be applied every time a boat is cleaned. The best brands are those that contain natural products such as carnauba wax.

Boat Vinyl Cleaner

Vinyl is found in many sections of the boat. It may be used on the siding, surface top, lining and other areas. It's preferred due to its aesthetic appeal, affordability, and ease of cleaning. However, too much moisture, abrasion, heat and rough handling will destroy it. To minimize this from taking place, boat vinyl cleaner is used.

All Purpose Boat Cleaners

There are different areas in the boat that need regular cleaning. They also will be made from different materials. These include upholstered leather, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), metal, wood, plastic and more. Rather than using different products, you may go for a multipurpose one. It should be suitable for the various materials.

Boat Polishes

Boat polishes are applied after the boat has been cleaned and dried. The product helps preserve the boats appearance and will also make it shiny. Some products will work as both wax and polish. The boat cleaning products should be used on surfaces that are free from dirt, grease, grime, or water. You may use a fluff-free towel or a polisher/buffer.

Boat Mildew Remover

Boats will spend a considerable amount of time in the water. While some water may be removed easily, some will still remain trapped in the crevices, tight corners, and joints. Too much of it may lead to mold, mildew, and dampness. To combat the effects, mildew removers are used. Quality products not only remove mildew and mold but also prevent it.

Boat Hull & Bottom Cleaner

The hull and bottom of the boat suffer from the greatest stress and contact. This usually leads to pits or miniature cracks forming. In order to penetrate the spots and remove any embedded matter, bottom and hull cleaners are used. They not only get rid of the unwanted debris but also protect the surface from further damage.

Boat Wash

Similar to cars or any other equipment, boats also have specialized products. Boat wash may be used for general application and any surface material. Alternatively, you may go for specific wash such as a product for fiberglass or a wash for aluminum.

Fiberglass Boat Cleaners

Fiberglass happens to be the most popular materials for building boats. It is light, strong, durable, easy to repair, rust-resistant, and also attractive. The appropriate fiberglass cleaner should penetrate pits and tiny cracks easily. It should also be suitable for bare as well as painted surfaces. The product shouldn't contain corrosive chemicals that may eat-into the surface.

Marine Glass Cleaners

To keep the glass windows and doors in top-shape, it's necessary to use glass cleaners once in a while. The product should be able to remove stains, dust and dirt while improving visibility. Abrasives products shouldn't be used as they may scratch the glass surface.

Boat Deck Cleaner

Boat cleaning products for decks come in a broad selection. Some can be used for different types of decks such as fiberglass, rubber, vinyl, carpet, or metal while others are specific for a particular deck. Corrosion resistance, glossy appearance, water-resistance are some features to consider when buying a product.

Boat Carpet Cleaners

Boat carpets may look similar to the standard ones. However, they usually get wet more often. This usually means that they will attract dirt. Cleaning the carpet is done by using a quality brush, vacuum cleaner and a good cleaning agent. It's best not to apply too much water as this will lengthen the drying time.

Sail & Boat Canvas Cleaner

Canvas is used to make the sails of many boats. It's also featureed in boat and seat covers. Canvas is quite durable and strong. However, it can be difficult to clean. To make cleaning easy, special canvas cleaners are used. Good brands will remove dirt and stain in little time without affecting the strength or color of the fabric.

Aluminum Cleaner & Marine Metal Polishes

Aluminum cleaners remove dirt, stains and also protect the metal from corrosion. For other metal surfaces, it's important to use the specified products. There are cleaners for stainless steel, zinc, brass and other metal. The product should be eco-friendly, waterproof and stops rust or corrosion.

Hand Cleaners

Hand cleaners are among the must-have boat cleaning products.The product which comes as a paste, lotion, liquid or foam-spray is used to remove food, grease, cement, glue, oil, odors, grass stains, paint and other substances.

Marine Rubbing Compounds

The boat will get scraped or bumped by other vessels or objects hence leaving some foreign paint or color on its surface. Paint may also drop on the surface. This imperfection is removed by the use of rubbing compound. Always use circular motions on the target spot and thoroughly clean it afterwards.

Boat Stain & Spot Remover

Boats will be affected by stains or blemishes. This may be oil, paint, or dyes. The spots always ruins the appearance of the boat hence the need to be immediately removed. When choosing a stain remover, it's essential to go for a product that can remove the spot or stain without damaging the clear-coat, or paint.

Marine Corrosion Protection

The boats surface is prone to getting corroded or rusting. This will mostly affect the bottom and hull. Special marine products are applied on the surfaces to stop electrolysis, galvanism, rust or corrosion. When choosing a product, it's ideal to go for products that are environmentally friendly.

The market is full of different types of cleaning products for boats. Each brand will claim to be better than the others. Although this has given the consumer a wide choice, it has also made it more challenging to find a suitable. While choosing boat cleaning products always give quality, market reputation, eco-friendliness, cost, ease of use priority. So, be sure to browse our vast selection of cleaners and waxes for your boat in which you will find great pricing for quality products!

Tips and Best Practices for Cleaning and Waxing My Boat

Some boat owners go overboard when it comes to cleaning their vessels. They seem to spend more time on scrubbing and cleaning their boat than actually fishing or cruising in them! Though it's important to keep a watercraft clean, there's no use of spending long backbreaking hours to keep it looking like new. The best way to go is to equip yourself with the right products/tools and clean your boat efficiently on a regular basis. The following tips will definitely help you in protecting your valuable recreational asset and preserving its good looks from harsh marine environment.

Use Right Cleaning Equipment

Before choosing your cleaning equipment/products, you should consider the type of vessel you have and its composition. Right tools will help you in cleaning your boat in a perfect way. Choose a long and sturdy cleaning brush that will rid of stubborn grime, dirt, and salt, without damaging the gel coat or finish of your boat. Long brushes help you reach various hard-to-clean areas without too much bending, thereby eliminating any strain on your arms and back. Avoid brushes that are too rough, as they can damage your boat's finish.

Usually, a brush with medium-soft bristles is just fine for the job. Whatever cleaning brush you select, make sure its bristles are made of material that is strong and durable enough to withstand repeated use, cleaning agents, sun exposure and salt water. Besides a durable scrub brush, you should also have other necessities, such as a large bucket, mop, washing pads, chamois cloths, sponges, and towels. Store all of them at same place so you won't have to search for them.

It's Time to Start Cleaning!

Once you have the right cleaning equipment and soap, it's time to start cleaning your boat. Before touching the hull with a scrub brush or applying any cleaning agent, make sure you rinse your boat off completely. Avoid scrubbing a dry boat or you'll risk damaging its gel coat or finish. When cleaning, work from the top down. Use a sponge soaked up in a soap solution, rinse, and scrub sections of your watercraft at a time.

If you apply water and soap to your entire boat at a time, its portions may dry up before you actually get around them for scrubbing. If you have an outboard powered boat, you should also rinse off its motor and lower drive unit, motor mounts and prop area, where dirt and corrosive salt tends to accumulate. For washing the deck, you can use the same scrub brush and cleaning solution you use for your hull. Avoid using bleach on your deck as it is a toxic substance and harmful to the environment.

Aside from quality boat cleaners and boat waxes, use highly absorbent soft drying cloths because they soak up water without scratching or stripping. Drying mops or Chamois cloths made of Chamois material are best choices. You can avoid spotting if you dry off your vessel immediate after washing and rinsing.

Choose Eco-friendly Soap

For cleaning your boat thoroughly without too much effort, you should pick a soap that's tough on grime, dirt, fish blood, and salt, yet is eco-friendly. Instead of using soap that you use for washing dishes at home, you should choose a biodegradable soap with a neutral pH factor. If you use your boat in salt water, it's important to use fresh water and soap to remove all of the corrosive salt build up because it can even eat away your boat. Use a cleaning product as per written instructions regarding its dilution and general usage. Avoid using “super concentrated detergents as they can strip away and damage your boat's finish when they're left for an extended period of time. You can get quality boat cleaners and boat waxes from iboats.com at attractive rates.

Waxing Your Boat

Once your boat has completely dried, you can apply a high quality wax and buff to protect the fiberglass and achieve the shine. Though it's not necessary to wax your boat each time you wash it, you should do that at least twice during the season to protect against the impurities and elements and to preserve its luster. Use a high quality carnauba wax and apply several coats.

If you don't wax your boat on a regular basis, you can also use a restore wax. Apply this wax using a sponge applicator by moving it gently in a circular motion. This wax will dry out and “haze within 15-20 minutes. Don't rush to wipe it until it has hazed. Now buff your boat using an electric buffer. It's the easiest option. You can also remove it manually using a scratch free towel.

Regardless of which of these methods you use, you will have to first manually buff out areas near rub rails, or areas where your electric buffer won't reach. Apply firm, but minimum pressure. It's best to rub in circles, and rub it “into the craft in eight to ten second intervals. Now wipe off all excess wax. Go on to exposed stainless steel and cleaning rub rails, and then finally to the wood areas.

Cleaning Perspex and Glass Windows

A simple vinegar and water solution works well. You can also use a glass cleaner, which is readily available on iboats.com. If Perspex and glass are heavily scratched, not much can be done in terms of repairs. The best course of action would be to guard against the damage by applying a polish of clear silicon spray to the boat windows and then cleaning them with non-abrasive, soft cloth.

Clean your Stainless Steel and Chrome

There are several quality sealants and cleaners available for keeping the stainless steel and chrome on your boat bright, shiny and protected. Once you apply a light film on all your bright-work, you should let it sit for 20-30 minutes. Now wipe off using a clean cloth. After cleaning, you can apply quality protectant/ wax sealer for creating a protective barrier against the elements. If your vessel's metalwork is oxidized or pitted, you can use a metal wax and leave it on the area overnight. In the morning, you can clean it using a fine bronze wool. This process, when repeated several times can make a considerable difference.

Caring for Teak on your Boat

If you have teak on your boat, regular care is necessary to maintain its original vibrant color and protect the wood. You should varnish your teak regularly. You can also wash it with a mild detergent and apply some teak oil.

Vinyl Upholstery

You can clean your boat's upholstery using a damp cloth. This will remove, salt, dirt, and grime. Follow this by applying quality vinyl protectant/cleaners and again wipe off the surface. Once the upholstery is free of grime and dirt, apply a light spray of furniture grade polish and wipe it off with a clean cloth. If some mildew stains have formed, you can use a brush with medium-soft bristles and scrub with ammonia and water mixture (5 parts water to one part ammonia). Follow this with a freshwater rinse, and dry. You can repeat the process if necessary.

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