DIY Maintenance for Your Boat

While we’d all like our boats to keep its showroom shine forever, the reality is boats can start looking “old” just form normal use. Fortunately keeping a boat looking almost “good as new” doesn’t require all lot of effort or time.

A four-step DYI project can make your boat look “good as new” with the right materials.

1. Clean. The first step is to remove loose dirt, salt, and scum using a general-purpose boat soap/water solution. Use large non-abrasive sponges or mitts for smooth surfaces, and soft bristle brushes for other areas, flushing the surface with water as you go For exhaust stains and rust use several applications a full-strength stain remover. Really tough cases may need several applications.

2. Correct. That means removing oxidation, repairing cracks in the gelcoat, and improving the appearance of the fiberglass, and other surfaces on your boat. There are lots of products that will restore “like new” luster, but how much is required is the problem.

If the hull is only slightly oxidized, the quickest way it is with “one-step” cleaner/waxes used s to remove minor oxidation, and solvents for stains and a layer of wax protection. For more heavily oxidized or stained fiberglass, use more aggressive compounds, even sandpaper, but take it easy.

3. Polish It. Polishes replenish oils that are lost from paint and gelcoat aging. Non-wax polishes will keep vinyl and windows clean and clear. Polishes for metal are used as stated in 2 above.

4. Protect It. Protecting the finish will avoid repeating 2 and 3 again. Wax protects the paint and metal parts by sealing the surface against dirt and oxidation.

Investing in quality protective canvas covering from CMC Canvas LLC will help protect all those essential parts of your boat without a lot of labor or expense.