Keeping your boat clean is not just for a sense of pride. Cleaning is essential to extend the lifespan of your gelcoat, other materials and keep everything in working order.
We know that the world of cleaning boats is a confusing one. There are different cleaning product for just about everything on a boat – so where do you start?
Well, don’t worry we’re here to help.
We have kept our range simple but effective, meaning that we have all the key cleaning products you need in your locker to keep your boat looking great and well maintained.
Let’s get started
Step 1: Treat the rust and contaminated surfaces.
Sometimes rust is harder to spot than you might think. Make sure you look closely at the gelcoat for any smaller rust particles.
If you do not have rust on your boat, skip to step 2. However, if you do, it is time to get rid.
If the rust is left untreated on a boat not only is it unsightly, it will eventually deteriorate the structural integrity. Salt water will accelerate this process, making it essential to keep on top of regular maintenance.
Our pH balanced decontamination remover Revive will set to work with minimal effort.
Simply spray on the affected areas and leave for a couple of minutes – you will see the product turn purple. If the rust is particularly bad you can agitate with a small brush to help the removal process.
Once you have left it for a couple of minutes, rinse off thoroughly.
If you have any yellow stains you can also use Revive here too. It’s safe to use on all exterior surfaces.
Caution! Many other rust removers or stain removers contain oxalic acid, which is harmful to you, the environment and also your boat! It can cause damage to your exterior surfaces, especially accelerating oxidation in paint and gelcoat.
Step 2: Wash
Rinse your boat first to ensure the surfaces are wet and to help loosen the dirt. Put 1-2 cap fulls of Bathe into a bucket and fill with water.
Take a microfibre mitt or soft brush and submerge into your bucket. Work your way around the boat from the top to bottom and on all surfaces. Straight motions work well to reduce swirls in the paint or gelcoat.
Avoid letting the soap dry and give the boat a good rinse to remove all the soapy water.
Afterwards, take a microfibre towel or chamois and dry the surfaces of the boat, removing all the excess water to avoid watermarks.
Step 3: Apply a protective layer
Great, now your boat is clean and dry, but you are not finished yet.
We always recommend that as part of your general maintenance you should be protecting your boats surfaces.
The harsh environment our boats are exposed to means that it is not enough to just wash. By protecting the boat, it prolongs the gloss levels and repels the grime, making all future washes much easier!
Finesse is our quick detailer and can be used on any surface of your boat, making it fast and easy to apply.
Spray the product directly onto a microfibre towel and apply to the surface of your boat. Buff off residue with a clean microfibre.
Now for the satisfying bit. You will feel the product on the surface of your boat when running a clean microfibre across the surface. This is your protection against the elements.
Repeat around the entirety of the boat to ensure maximum protection on the fibreglass/gelcoat, stainless/brightwork, glass and screens.
No need to rinse after, you are all done!
What’s left?
Teak! Whether it’s real or synthetic we have the answer. We will cover this in detail next time.
As always, any questions, get in touch with the team at info@shoponyx.co.uk
