Boat Detailing 101
Published: Monday, June 18, 2018
Detailing the boat can seem like a daunting task, but when you break it up into segments, it’s a lot easier to accomplish. The trick is to start with the dirtiest tasks and then progress to the easier ones.
Step 1: Removing Tough Dirt and Stains on Topsides
Dirty water flows down, so you want to begin cleaning the topsides before you tackle the hull. There are a wide variety of cleaners on the market, so you need to choose wisely. Dish detergent is cheap, but it might contain phosphates that kill fish and it creates huge amounts of suds requiring a lot of water to rinse clean. Dish soap will strip off wax or polish and, over time, can etch or dry out fiberglass and painted surfaces. So, instead of choosing a product that cleans pots and pans, look for a biodegradable boat wash from Star brite that is specifically formulated to clean fiberglass and painted surfaces. Star brite boat washes utilize a concentrated formula to make sure a little bit goes a long way, removing grime and dirt without harming the boat or the environment. Bleach, toilet bowl cleaners, or pool acid should never be used on fiberglass or painted surfaces. In addition to being dangerous to the user if spilled or splashed onto skin, these caustic chemicals can damage the fiberglass, vinyl, rubber, and painted surfaces of your boat.
Textured decks represent a special challenge as the non-skid patterns hold dirt. Boat wash won’t have enough cleaning power for tough blood stains or tracked grime, which is why Star brite Non-Skid Deck Cleaner utilizes chelating agents to break the bond between dirt and grime and the surface without heavy scrubbing. To add more UV protection and enhance the appearance of older decks without making them slippery, apply Star brite’s new Non-Skid Deck Wax to the cleaned surfaces.
Step 2: Waterline Stains
To deal with tough waterline stains on fiberglass hulls, reach for Star brite Instant Hull Cleaner which is also a great choice for rust stains or leaf stains anywhere on the boat.
Step 3: Special Situations and Surfaces
As you clean the boat, look for rust stains “weeping” from stainless steel hardware. Star brite Rust Stain Remover quickly dissolves these stains quickly; seal the cleaned surface with Star brite Premium Marine Polish to help prevent future stains.
GPS units, chartplotters, and depthfinders have housings that can withstand a lot of use and weathering, but the screens need special care. Star brite Screen Cleaner safely removes dirt and deposits while leaving a protective polymer barrier to help keep the screens clean. It is also great for cleaning glass sunglass lenses; the Pina Colada scent is a nice plus.
If you find any black heel marks on the deck from guests who wore street shoes, reach for a Star brite Magic Eraser cleaning pad.
Step 4: Inspect for Oxidation/Seal the Surface
Now that the hull and other fiberglass exterior surfaces are clean, check for oxidation. The rule of thumb is: if you wipe your hand over the surface and it comes away “dusty,” you need to compound the hull. However, if there’s no dust, just a slightly oxidized or hazy surface, use Star brite Heavy Duty Cleaner Wax to restore the shine. Compounding eats up gelcoat, so use it only when 100% necessary.
If the fiberglass and paint are in great condition, apply a protective coating of Star brite Premium Marine Polish. The shine you get from polishing is a happy bonus – the real reason to polish is to seal out the stains and dirt that can make your boat look not so great. Polymers bond to the treated surface for unrivalled protection against the damaging effects of sea, sun, dirt, and weather. Polymer polishes are easy to apply while providing maximum shine. They are also a great choice for polishing your car and truck, too.
Step 5: Keep It Clean
Now that the boat is looking good, keep it that way. Apply Star brite Ultimate Vinyl Guard to seats, cushions, and bolsters. Use Ultimate Xtreme Protectant on fiberglass and polished metals. Top pro anglers use Star brite Boat Guard spray detailer to enhance the shine. These easy-to-use spray detailers contain polymers that help repel dirt and dust while enhancing the appearance of treated surfaces without making them slippery.
Find all of these and more at www.starbrite.com.
tags: Cleaners
