How To Clean Every Part Of Your Boat
The end of the summer season is when you will want to clean every inch of your boat to get it in ship-shape for the next time you put it in the water. Christy, our 5th CLR 101 Uses contest winner from Springfield, MO, writes…
I use CLR on my boat and trailer after we pull it out of the lake. It easily removes the grime from the lake that builds up on it if you don’t remove it properly.
Its important to remember to clean the grime off your boat before it builds up and creates a much bigger problem. A boat that is poorly cared for leads to less rest and more stress. Some boat owners go overboard when cleaning their boat, spending more time cleaning and polishing than actually enjoying the boat for what it was intended.
Experts say that the trick is to work smarter, not harder when it comes to boat care. Be sure to choose cleaning brushes that are sturdy enough to scrub away dirt, grime, and salt, yet soft enough to prevent damaging the finish. Brushes with long handles are better for you in the long run because it keeps your bending down to a minimum and, by extension, lowers your risk of developing back pain. If you would rather not deal with too much scrubbing, a pressure washer can be used but is not required.
Fiberglass and Stainless Steel Parts
Vinyl Seats
Tough Stains on Fabric or Deck Carpet:
Mold or Mildew:
Removing Saltwater Spots From Windshield
Bob Taylor asked:
I have a new 24 Seaswirl with an enclosed cockpit. I have noticed that I cannot remove the water spots from the outside or inside of the windshield or side windows. Windex does not do it. What do you suggest.
Answer:
For your convenience, Ive highlighted the hyperlinks. Click on the hyperlink to get more information about the selected product.
Yours is a common problem. The infrared rays from the sun literally bake the salt onto the glass, making it very difficult to remove. Sea salt will also corrode the aluminum top supports, rod holders and outriggers plus rust the stainless steel on your boat and pit the gelcoat.
To start with I would suggest tryingKwik Shine with salt busters. It has great cleaning properties and will also dissolve the salt and convert it into a protective polish that will resist future attachment of salt. This is a very popular product for salt water boats for this reason. It can also be used to clean and protect metal surfaces and get the salt spots off the fiberglass before damage occurs. It is a spray and wipe product so it is fast and easy to use.
Another benefit of Kwik Shine on your windshield is that it beads water for increased visibility. You wont need your windshield wiper, even in a heavy rainstorm.
Nice boat. Congratulations.
Wipe With A Clean Towel
Take a clean towel and wipe down all the areas that you sprayed. If there are a few water spots left behind, you can go ahead and repeat the process.
While white vinegar can be used to clean most parts of your boat, youre going to want to avoid hardwood, marble , and parts that are too close to electrical wiring like your console.
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Simple Steps To Cleaning An Aluminium Boat With Vinegar
Now that your aluminium boat is now completely clean, you could take your boat to the next level by painting it. If youre ready to renovate your old boat and make it look brand new again then see my guide on How to Paint an Aluminum Boat.
Water Spot Removal: Marine Fiberglass
To keep your fiberglass boat in optimum condition, it’s essential that you undertake water spot removal regularly. Although fiberglass offers a high level of strength and rigidity while maintaining a low weight level, it’s basic properties allow stains and dirt to build up very quickly. In addition, the gel coating that is applied to protect the fiberglass is incredibly porous and susceptible to abrasions and damage caused by ultraviolet radiation. If you don’t properly maintain your boat, it will look worn and used in no time at all, leading to maintenance problems and a low resale value. Remove water spots on the fiberglass hull by following these instructions.
Step 1 Clean the Boat
It’s very important to clean your boat regularly after use. If you remove the boat from the water, be sure to wash down the hull sides and deck with dish-washing soap as a precaution against stain build up. Due to the degenerative effect that exposure to salt water can have on the hull and other areas of your boat, you should always try to at least rinse your boat with fresh water immediately after removing it from the water. To help your boat last longer, you should thoroughly clean all other areas of the boat.
Step 2 Scrub Stains
Step 3 Use Chemical Cleaning Product
Step 4 Wax Hull
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How To Buy Water Spot Remover For Boats
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Babes Spot Solver Non
- Specifically developed to remove hard water spots caused from mineral build-up
- Environmentally safe, non-abrasive solution designed for all gelcoat, glass and chrome surfaces
- Spray a light mist, leave for up to 1 minute, then wipe with a damp towel
- Continues to work as it sets on spots
- Follow with BABES Boat Bright for ultimate performance and protection
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Does Clr Damage Fiber Glass
Throughout the years, CLR has been utilized to clean fiberglass material. Generally, it is safe to use on this type of surface.
If you are going to use fiberglass surfaces or materials, start with a mixture of CLR and progress to full strength if necessary to thoroughly clean the surface for deep-seated dirt or marks.
How To Remove Water Stains From Fiberglass Boat
There is one thing many boat owners have in common water stains. No matter how much you care for your boat and how often you clean it, as a boat owner, if your boat is not on a lift, you will find that there is always those stubborn water stains that just wont go away. After spending so much money getting a fiberglass boat, it is important that you do your best to make sure that it stays clean, attractive and safe as much as possible.
You may already know that fiberglass has what can be said to be a high level of rigidity and strength that also maintains a low level of weight. However, this makes it very easy for stains, especially water stains to build up very fast. The porous nature of the fiberglass gel coating which is meant to protect it, sadly makes it even more susceptible to damage or at least abrasion as a result of ultraviolet radiation.
Fiberglass like many other boats needs proper maintenance so that it doesnt look worn out and unattractive, which aside from being unsightly, may reduce its resale value. Additionally if not cleaned regularly, your maintenance cost will increase. To ensure that you keep enjoying your fiberglass hull while getting rid of those annoying water stains, these 4 steps will do the work:
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Tannin Stains On Gelcoat
Tannin staining of your hull can be frustrating but luckily it is easy to remove, if you use the right chemicals or product. Any job goes smoother when the right product is chosen over the wrong product. Sadly over the years I have watched number of boat owners destroy gelcoat or paint by using sandpaper or abrasives to try and remove tannin stains. This is not necessary and as a matter of fact no elbow grease is required at all.
While oxalic is dirt cheap and works extremely well for this task, I prefer to use a gelled acid for this task. The gel formulation is an attempt to keep the acid off the anti-fouling bottom paint and keep it on the staining, where it belongs.
Acids can eat the copper right out of the bottom paint if not used carefully. This could potentially make the one or two inches above the waterline basically useless at repelling growth if you cleaned your boat in-water then loaded it for cruising. If you do it out of the water, without a drip skirt you could ruin a lot more of the bottom paint.
What Happens If You Get Clr On Your Skin
When CLR comes in contact with your skin, eyes, mucous membranes and respiratory tract, it can be irritating. The cleaning agent can be harmful or even deadly if ingested. When it is used, make sure that there is adequate ventilation and avoid inhaling the mist or dust. The container must be securely closed when not in use.
Once the skin is exposed to CLR, some of the potential effects include skin irritation while prolonged exposure can trigger dermatitis and itchiness.
If the eyes were exposed, it can cause severe irritation and blurred vision. Take note that the effects might vary depending on the length of exposure, the concentration of the solution and if first aid care was provided. In case it was inhaled, it can cause irritation, headache, difficulty breathing, and dizziness. Lastly, when CLR is ingested, it can result in oral burns, GI disturbance, and vomiting.
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Pourquoi Le Gelcoat Jaunit
Au fil du temps, les rayons ultraviolets du soleil peuvent oxyder la surface du gelcoat. La surface autrefois brillante peut devenir jaune et/ou crayeuse. Il est courant que le gelcoat souffre d’oxydation et de jaunissement. Une oxydation légère lisse la surface, tandis qu’une oxydation modérée à forte produit un aspect crayeux.
Use A Cleaning Product
Some stains are very stubborn and will therefore require a chemical cleaning product to get rid of them. If the water and vinegar mixture did not work for you, there are some good products that you can make use of. 3M Marine Compound and Finishing Material which is both for cleaning and getting rid of stubborn water stains, scratches, swirls and blemishes from your fiberglass boat while waxing it at the same time.
So, you get that extra shine so that your paint and gelcoat remains attractive. is another fantastic product. With a product like MaryKate On and Off Hull and Bottom Cleaner follow the instructions when you using it because while it is amazing at removing tough stains, it contains chemicals so you will want to avoid direct contact with your skin or breathing them in so gloves and wearing a mask when applying. If you are still hesitant on spending money on chemical cleaning products, you can make use of the cleaning product you use in cleaning your shower and bathtub. Just make sure you read the manufacturers instruction first before using the product. From experience, it is best to make use of these products when your hull is still wet.
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Removing Water Spots From Motor Cowling
Any suggestions for removing hardened water spots on Mercury cowling? I usually just wax it with a spray on wax after fishing but it looks like it accumulated some hardened water spots from the winter storage. The regular spray on wax isn’t removing them.
5O/50 water and vinegar mix should do it.
2020 pelican Bass raider 10E55lb minnkota endura max powered by a Duracell 31prop to pad it varies 4.5 mph on gpsGarmin striker 4 plus.
- 30,375
The best remedy I’ve found is to just not look at my cowling. Or my boat for that matter.
I think the new secret color is “A-Rig”……….
A clay bar or a few passes with a polish will remove them no problem.
2001 Ranger R71
- 7,868
small spritz of CLR, light rub, rinse, if I wash, use a car soap with liquid wax in it.
Originally Posted by born 2 fish5O/50 water and vinegar mix should do it.+1
Originally Posted by born 2 fish5O/50 water and vinegar mix should do it.
- 30,375
Apparently all water spots are not equal. That vinegar thing has never been anything but a waste of time for me. It’s always turned into rubbing compound or a clay bar.
I think the new secret color is “A-Rig”……….
- 1,795
if they are really bad i’ve used CLR bath and kitchen to clean it up – of course followed with wax.
2020 Ranger Z519 | 2020 Mercury Pro XS 225 4S | Helix 10SI | Helix 10 MDI | Helix 7 G3N CHIRP |Fury 3 23P | Power Pole Pro 2’s | Ghost TM | Mega 360 | Atlas 8in Jack Plate | Trick Step
The Best Way To Remove Water Spots From Your Pontoon
Vinegar and water is what I used for about 12 months.
It was good, but for really tough water marks I needed something a little bit more effective.
The best water spot remover I have found, and which I use to this day on my pontoon, is something called Boat Bling hot sauce cleaner.
It is a vinegar-based solution, but also contains over non-corrosive and non-abrasive cleaning materials that do a far better job.
The killer selling point though is the Carnuba wax thats in it. This means it leaves a really good shine but also will help stop water spots appearing too.
It cuts down my cleaning duties significantly.
For me, its the best wax for water spot prevention, and heres why I recommend it.
- Leaves a shiny wax finish on your pontoon
- The wax will also help to prevent water spots in the future
- Make for light cleaning work with less elbow grease
- Doesnt cost huge amounts of money
- You can leave it under the seats for when you need it
- No need to mess around mixing water and vinegar
The spray bottle will only last a couple of months, so I also recommend that you buy a gallon of Hot Sauce water spot remover so you can top-up your spray bottle when required.
Heres what the Boat Bling company says about their Hot Sauce water spot remover:
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Can You Use Clr On Fiberglass Boats
CLR can be used to clean dirt that has accumulated on stainless steel components such as the boat ladder, cup holders, cleats and connector flanges. It can also be used to ensure that the fiberglass body of your boat is clean and smooth.
Warning!
Remember that when your boat hull is clean, it helps lessen the drag to ensure a smooth surface so that the boat can readily move through the water. Simply combine equal amounts of CLR with warm water and apply directly on the surface and rinse thoroughly with cold water.
How To Get Rid Of Water Spots On Your Boat
Your boat lives in water. Its going to get a few waterspots, right? Hopefully not. Experienced boat owners know that water spots canbe unsightly and even tiresome to get rid of. But giving your boat the clean,consistent gloss it needs to look new doesnt have to be a chore. Here are sometips on how to get rid of water spots.
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Cleaning Hard Water Spots Off Our Boat
2. You should never use vinegar on waxed surfaces. The vinegar will only strip the wax off, dulling the sheen on your nicely shined car. However, vinegar is a great option if youre looking to remove an old coat of wax before you put down a fresh layer of polish
