There is nothing more pleasing to the eye than a beautifully detailed boat! But of course, detailing your boat is about more than good looks. Detailing is also an important maintenance task. When you polish your boat to perfection, it will be much better able to withstand the elements and stay in top condition for years to come. For best results, detailing should be performed about once every two to four months.
New to detailing your boat? This guide from Dalton Marine will show you the ropes! Read on for some beginner tips on boat detailing, and feel free to contact us with any questions. Dalton Marine is your local boat dealer in Dalton, GA, serving the Atlanta area.
Gearing Up
The first step to detailing your boat is to gather all the products you need. Of course, this will depend on what kind of material you are working with. For example, surfaces like wood, aluminum, and fiberglass each have different maintenance needs. Consult the owner’s manual provided with your boat model to determine which products to use.
These products may include marine soap, boat wax and wax remover, glass cleaner, vinyl cleaner, carpet shampoo, metal cleaner, and metal polish. For washing your boat, you may need brushes, sponges, washing pads, towels, chamois cloths, and a vacuum cleaner. You will also need an adjustable hose, and a bucket for soapy water.
Washing and Waxing Your Boat
Now that you have all your products assembled, you can get down to business. Start by rinsing your whole boat with fresh water from top to bottom. Next, wash and rinse your boat in sections, still working from top to bottom. If the wax is still in good condition, you can simply buff the waxed surfaces using a chamois cloth or a buffing pad.
If you need to add new wax, you will first need to remove the old wax using a wax remover or acetone. Then, you can apply the new wax according to the product directions.
Detailing Your Boat
Once your boat is clean and dry, it’s time to focus on the details! Start by cleaning all the glass, including the windows, windshield, and mirrors. Then, clean and polish all the metalwork and chrome trim throughout your boat. Next, clean all the upholstery and canvas features. Make sure to use a cleaning product that is suitable for your marine canvas and upholstery. Last but not least, vacuum and clean the carpets on your boat.
During each step of the detailing process, take a close look at the condition of your boat, and take note of any maintenance and repair needs. Make sure to address repair issues right away, before they have a chance to interfere with performance.
If you need assistance with boat detailing, you can always call on the experts here at Dalton Marine! We welcome boaters all the way from Cleveland and Chattanooga, TN.