Proper Boat Cleaning
Here at Shurhold we have seen all manner of products used in washing and cleaning. While most techniques will get the grime off, some methods are better than others. Harsh or improper cleaners , like household cleaners, will harm your wax or stain your fiberglass over time. Check out our “7 Deadly Sins of Boat Maintenance” article to understand why cleaning with these chemicals will lead to problems. Additionally, if you put off your wash stains will accumulate making your next scrub down that much harder. To keep your boat in top shape, a good wash should happen after every outing and preferably once a week. Here at Shurhold we strive to make cleaning your boat quick, easy and effective.
What you will need:
Shurhold’s Brush system matched to fit your boats needs (Covered in article)
PVA Towel
Deluxe Water Sprite Mop
Bright Wash
Serious Shine
Squeegee
Access to a hose
Bucket
Trash bags
How you will do it:
First, remove all the trash from the day off the boat. Cans, wrappers, plastic bags, etc. You want a clean slate to work with.
If anything needs to be rinsed off before being stowed, such as life jackets or fishing rods, do so now and set them off to the side. This will give the items a chance to dry before you put them away
Focus on sections of the boat. This will ensure each area gets an equal amount of attention. Our general breakdown looks like this…
– Hardtop
– Bow
– Helm
– Cockpit
– Transom
– Hull
Rinse off your target area with a copious amount of fresh water. You want to eliminate as much grime, growth, and salt as possible before scrubbing. Excessive debris can scratch paint as it gets pushed around the deck.
Prepare your suds bucket. To avoid spots, only use enough soap to create suds. Typically you would fill your bucket with around 4 gallons of water, then add a capful of Bright wash. A quick blast from the hose will activate the suds
It’s time to scrub! Use the right brush for the job. For non-skid, use a stiffer brush like our medium bristle. For most deck fiberglass, use our soft brush. For glass, outboards, or the hull, use our extra soft brush. As a general rule, use the softest brush you can while still effectively cleaning the surface. If there is a particularly tough stain, try a stiffer brush in a circular motion
Rinse off the soap with more fresh water. Ensure no suds remain, as they will leave spots
Dry all fiberglass and instruments (radar, lights, outriggers, etc) with a PVA towel or Sprite Mop. This prevents water spots from forming. For glass, use a squeegee tool to pull all the water off
For detail work, use Serious Shine. Inside the cabin, at the helm, or the electronics are all ideal areas for this product. It can also be used on glass, including isinglass
Continue section by section until your boat is squeaky clean!
Stow all equipment, which should be dry. If still damp, use PVA towel to dry.