Finding a practical method to maintain aluminum boats is crucial for every boater because it has a significant impact on their cruising experience. But if you want to maximize the life of your aluminum boat—and keep your aluminum’s trademark shine—just use this simple guide to cleaning aluminum boats.
Keep In Mind When You Buy Aluminum Boat Cleaners
You can save time and money by investing in the best aluminum boat cleaners. You can finish and make your purchase process simpler by being aware of the characteristics, types, and standards that these top-rated cleaners must meet. Always take into account versatile cleaners, especially ones that are reasonably priced.
The size of the container or formulation, as well as the number of cleanings per container, should be your first priority. When formulating, pay attention to the power-to-strength ratio. By doing so, you’ll be able to choose wisely and possibly cut down on some of the costs involved.
To bring home a high-performing nautical cleaner, it is essential to be associated with industry leaders like 3M or StarBrite when it comes to brands.
Different Techniques For Aluminum Boat Cleaning
Dedicated Aluminum Boat Cleaner
After cleaning, aluminum needs to be polished and brightened before being left in a protected state. Ordinary soap and water might clean the surface of the aluminum, but it will do little to restore its luster or offer protection for your boat.
Car Soap
The initial option is always the cheapest and most straightforward. Clean your watercraft the same way you would your car if it doesn’t need a thorough cleaning, such as if you maintain it well or only use it occasionally.
The majority of people are used to washing their cars, even if you have never cleaned a boat. If there isn’t too much buildup, washing an aluminum pontoon boat is comparable to washing a wooden boat.
The following equipment must be ready before you can wash the boat: a bucket, a garden hose, car soap, and a long scrubber. Depending on how big your boat is, you can determine its length. Fill a pail with water and car soap and then begin cleaning your craft.
Then, rinse the watercraft with a hose, just as you would when cleaning the aluminum wheels on your car. The scrubber should then be thoroughly cleaned by being submerged in the liquid.
Rinse to get rid of any extra dirt and soap. Repeat the procedure if there are any remaining unclean pieces, or use one of our more arduous cleaning techniques.
Steel Wool And Elbow Grease
The next option for cleaning cast aluminum once the soap and water mixture has cleaned off most of the scum on the boat is good old elbow grease. Time and a scrubber with enough abrasion to remove the particularly firmly adhered material from the water are all that is needed for this process.
Using a regular hose, soak these, and then scrub them with a scrub brush. Steel wool can etch the surface of the boat, so only use it if it will take more effort to remove the grime.
Take care of any rusty areas right away to prevent them from spreading. Get rust off aluminum with the steel wool but don’t scrub too hard.
Utilize an aluminum polish to preserve the exterior of the boat after you’ve finished cleaning. The boat maintains its new-boat appearance with the help of metal polish.
Power Washer
Utilizing a pressure washer would be a great step in regular boat maintenance. Every time a vessel is used, it is not necessary to perform an expensive cleaning. The nicest aspect about utilizing this instrument is that it can be used as a DIY boat cleaning for both fiberglass and aluminum boats.
If your cruise is over, attach a power washer soap sprayer to the end of a hose. Start by cleaning your boat’s exterior and protecting the vessel with compostable soap.
The power wash sprayer should be used to squirt the watercraft from bottom to top. Five minutes should be enough time to let the soap soak, but don’t let it dry out because that will just add more dirt.
Rinse the boat thoroughly in water to get rid of all of the liquid soap. Don’t ignore any part of the boat, especially the outboard motor on some smaller boats. Flush the engine to get any detergent that got stuck.
Vinegar Mixture
Almost any surface can be cleaned with vinegar, which is a great cleaning agent. Additionally, it’s a good DIY method for cleaning aluminum boats. In addition, it works wonders for restoring anodized aluminum.
Given that vinegar essentially is an acid, it can be used to clean most metal surfaces, including aluminum. Following these below steps to clean your boat with vinegar mixture:
- Wash The Boat Up With Soap
Even if it’s just grime or dirty water stains, clean up the area you want to clean first by using a mild detergent and a small amount of water. The majority of the dirt will be removed, but the streaks and wet stains won’t be.
- Create A Vinegar And Water Mixture At a 50/50 Ratio
Next, mix the vinegar and water mixture in a small container in a 50/50 ratio. For washing yachts, the vinegar-to-water ratio should be that.
Ideally, the mixture should be warm and should be distilled. Never use lake or salt water because it will only make the issue you’re trying to solve worse.
- Spray The Mixture Onto The Craft
Fill a cheap water sprayer with your mixture, then use it to clean any dirty or water-stained metal on your yacht. For 60 seconds (unless it’s drifting down the vessel), let it absorb and adhere to the sludge.
- Remove Both Dirty Components And Vinegar
Start now by using a moist piece of clean cloth to thoroughly rub the metal surface.
Conclusion
If boaters learn how to effectively use the materials and tools they already have, cleaning an aluminum boat by yourself is actually not that difficult. Performing your own aluminum boat cleaning will not only help you save money on maintenance, but it will also allow you to check on your boat more frequently.
