Tags: Sarasota Boat Ceramic Coating, Sarasota Boat Cleaning, Sarasota Boat Detailing, Sarasota Boat Washing, Sarasota Hull Cleaning Tips, Sarasota Yacht Detailing
What if you paid a small fortune for something that looked very cheap?
This is something that happens to many yacht owners. Sure, the boat may look shiny and new when you first purchase it. Without proper yacht maintenance, though, your boat may end up looking like something out of the town junkyard.
Here’s the good news, though: keeping your yacht clean is easier than you ever imagined. Don’t believe it? Keep reading to discover our favorite hull cleaning tips to give your boat its groove back!
1. Use the Right Cleaner
Yacht maintenance involves a lot of time cleaning the hull. If you want that cleaning to be effective, though, you need to use the right cleaner.
We recommend that you purchase a specialized cleaner optimized for the surface of your boat. For example, if you have a fiberglass yacht, you should get a cleaner designed to work on fiberglass.
Our other tip is to not use unfamiliar cleaners without doing your homework. For example, many yacht owners end up causing major damage to their boats each year by using muriatic acid as a cleaner when they don’t know how to use it.
2. Always Scrub Lightly
The average yacht owner spends a fair amount of time getting his hands dirty. This happens naturally when you do things like scrub the boat. However, keep in mind that how you scrub is just as important as the cleaner you use.
If you scrub too hard, or you brush dry areas, you may cause major damage to the boat. You also need to avoid using very abrasive brushes or cloth that will leave ugly marks.
Before scrubbing, always rinse the dirt off with a hose first. This makes scrubbing easier and reduces how much “elbow grease” you need to apply to the job.
3. Dealing With Hard Water Stains
Ever hear that you should always use the right tool for the job? Well, maintenance on your yacht is a bit like that. Certain stains are more persistent than others, and these may call for a different cleaning technique.
Perhaps the best example of this is hard water stains. While these stains are most noticeable on your windows, they also appear on your boat’s hull. And the mineral deposits that cause these stains can also cause damage to your yacht, especially if left untreated for a long time.
If you’ve got your own hard water stains to deal with, the best solution may be in your pantry right now: vinegar! By mixing equal parts vinegar and water, you can create a special solution that makes hard water stains a thing of the past.
To use the vinegar, just spray it on the affected area, wait about five minutes, and then wipe it off. If your regular cloth doesn’t do the trick, you may want to spray your solution on dryer sheets and use them to dab, wipe, and dry the boat’s hull.
4. Take Out the Salt Stains
There is nothing quite like spending time out on oceans and rivers. However, the salt content of the water is very high. Over time, this leads to unwanted salt stains on the hull of your boat.
To remove salt, you can purchase special salt-removing solutions. Using these is as simple as spraying the solution onto the salt stain and then scrubbing the area. Just make sure to wear gloves the whole time!
If you want to avoid salt stains in the future, have your yacht washed and waxed on a regular basis. This can prevent unwanted salt stains from occurring in the first place.
5. Annoying Waterline Stains
Some yachts are designed to help you have fun traveling through freshwater. But freshwater can bring some fresh problems, including annoying waterline stains.
Standard boat hull cleaner should help you get rid of these unwanted stains. However, some of these stains sink deep into the hull. For the really tough waterline stains, you may need to apply the cleaner multiple times.
As with salt stains, keep in mind that washing and waxing on a regular basis is the best way to keep the stains at bay. And an ounce of prevention is always worth a pound of cure.
6. Blast Those Barnacles
Want to scare a veteran of the open water with one word? One mention of “barnacles” is enough to send most yacht owners running!
That’s because barnacles are very difficult to remove from your hull. But if you want a really clean hull, you need to figure out how to get rid of them.
Getting rid of barnacles is a two-step process. First, remove the actual barnacles using a plastic paint scraper or a wooden spatula. Afterward, you may need to use calcium and line along with a rust remover to clean the ugly calcium stain that the barnacle left behind.
7. Hull Cleaning Tips: When In Doubt, Call a Pro
You’ve probably noticed a theme of our hull cleaning tips. Yacht maintenance is a lot harder than it looks! And all it takes is one mistake (such as using the wrong tool to remove barnacles) to cause damage to the boat.
That’s why our last tip is nice and simple. When in doubt, you should never hesitate to contact a professional!
When you have a local company that specializes in boat detailing, you can make your yacht look shinier and cleaner than ever. In fact, your family and friends may just think you bought a whole new boat.
As an added bonus, you can find professionals who also specialize in yacht management. They can help keep your boat in perfect running condition so it is always ready for your next adventure.
Make Your Yacht Look Spotless Today!
Now you know our top hull cleaning tips for your yacht. But do you know who you can trust to keep your own boat looking spotless and immaculate?
Here at Pristine Boat Detailing, we specialize in making the best boats look better than before. To discover what we can do for you and your yacht, all you have to do is contact us today!