Have You Noticed Your Boat Seems To Oxidize & Fade Even Though You Religiously Clean? The Frustrating Part Is That You Know You Started The Season With The Same High Gloss Shine That Your Neighbor's Boat Has. So Why Does His Boat Still Look Freshly Detailed, While Yours Is Oxidizing So Soon?
Stop And Read This Before Cleaning Your Boat Again...
This Might Be The Answer You've Been Looking For!
Written by a real-life boat owner and professional marine detailer!
For your convenience.... Click Below... to download an Adobe PDF printout of this blog.
First things first… if cleaning your boat with Dawn and bleach is a regular habit, then what you’re about to read next may blow your mind. If you don’t use these cleaners, you can skip this paragraph, but I still encourage you to read on. So, straight to the point, these cleaners will strip away wax or sealants from your boats surface, leaving UV rays a wide-open door to oxidize the gel coat, starting that instant. You may defend your love for these cleaners that produce quick results, citing that you hear professional detailers say they use them when detailing quite often, but they fail to mention that they only use them for specific reasons.
One example is washing the surfaces to prepare for the application of paste wax, polymer sealant, or ceramic coating. Dawn, bleach, or degreasers are excellent cleaners to use when you need to strip the surface of compounds or polish residue left over from prior detailing steps. Removing all leftover compounds and polish allows the protective product to adhere to the gel coat surface. Another reason to choose Dawn or bleach is when cleaning compartments of mold and mildew or when you need a powerful cleaner to tackle tough jobs deep in the bilge or other stubborn spots that a milder soap won't remove. Non-skid decks are another area that is ok to use these cleaners, sparingly. I still stick with marine non-skid cleaners like Starbrite or Nautical One.
So, if you're wondering why, despite cleaning regularly, your boat keeps looking worse throughout the season, this is the reason, and it is easily fixable. If you're looking for the simplest solution, my advice is to hire a reputable boat detailing company to handle it all for you. They will know what products to use and where to apply them. All you need to do is make the phone call. Even if you only hire a professional for that initial spring cleaning and polishing, you'll be starting with a nearly perfect boat, and all you have to do is keep up with the routine maintenance throughout the season. As long as you use the right products and adhere to a routine schedule of at least once a month or every other week, depending on the climate and water conditions you boat in, you should be fine.
The Products I recommend to be used are marine or auto soaps that are labeled “pH Balanced” or “Wash & Wax”. My go to soap is made by Koch Chemie, For optimal results, choose a high-foaming, pH-balanced soap and apply it using a foam cannon compatible with a pressure washer. Alternatively, you can use a low-pressure foam gun that connects to a standard hose for applying foaming soap. The foaming action effectively breaks down dirt and loosens it from the surface, allowing for easy power rinsing or, if necessary, minimal scrubbing to eliminate stubborn dirt. Now, aren't you glad you read this before cleaning your boat?
If I only help one boater out there it will make my efforts so very much worth it!
Written By:
Owner & Operator Of
Out Of This World Boatworks LLC
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Feel free to send me an email for any questions, corrections, or advice that you may have for me at: outofthisworldboatworks@gmail.com
Disclaimer:
The products recommended in this blog post are solely based on the writer's personal experiences and preferences. The writer and his company are not affiliated with any of the mentioned companies, manufacturers or suppliers, nor are they receiving any form of compensation for their recommendation. It is important to note that the writer and his company do not guarantee the reliability or effectiveness of the recommended products. Individual results may vary, and it is advisable to conduct your own research before making any purchasing decisions. Thank you for reading and considering the recommendations provided in this blog post.
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