Boat Detailing Tips

A man using goggles and a face mask to paint a red boat in a workshop

Keep Your Vessel Gleaming with Our Boat Detailing Tips

There are plenty of reasons to detail your boat regularly. Detailing protects your boat from the elements, protects your investment, maintains your resale value, allows you to inspect it closely, and helps nourish your pride of ownership.

Here are some tips on boat detailing from the team at North Florida Yacht Sales. Our dealership and full-service marina serve the North Florida boating community in Jacksonville, Lakeside, and all the way to Palm Coast.

Gather Your Supplies

When gathering your supplies, make sure they’re suitable for the finishes on your boat. Surfaces like gel coat and wood have specific needs.

For washing, gather a couple of buckets, soft-bristle brushes, sponges, washing pads, towels, and chamois cloths for buffing. Many people like to use a rotary polisher or a random orbit polisher when waxing to save some elbow grease. For detailing, you’ll need brushes and applicators for cleaning surfaces, microfiber towels, sponges, waxing tools, a vacuum or blower for debris removal, stain removers, and so on. You’ll also need a hose with an adjustable spray.

Products you’ll need depend on your surfaces, but might include high-quality marine soap, wax, wax remover, glass cleaner, metal cleaner, metal polish, vinyl cleaner, and carpet shampoo.

Wash and Wax Your Boat

Rinse the whole boat thoroughly, starting at the top. Now wash and rinse the boat in sections, making sure to never scrub dry surfaces -- make sure they’re lubricated with plenty of soap and water. If the wax is in good shape, just buff after washing.

To protect your boat’s finish, you should wax it every two to four months, as needed. First, remove the old wax with acetone or a dewaxing product. Use several rags, turning them frequently so you are just taking wax off, not redistributing it. Now apply new wax according to product instructions and buff after application.

Detailing Your Boat

First, clean all glass surfaces, including the mirrors, windows, and windshield. Next, clean and polish all the chrome trim and metalwork throughout your craft.

Clean all vinyl seating and surfaces. Start with a damp cloth and switch to vinyl cleaner if needed. Use a 4-to-1 water and ammonia solution to remove stubborn mildew stains. If your boat has a cabin, clean and detail it thoroughly. Vacuum and clean the carpets. Be sure to address every nook and cranny so your vessel really shines inside and out.

North Florida Yacht Sales for Detailing and More

We hope you enjoy the glow of pride when you step back and survey your gleaming, gorgeous boat. Some boat owners love this part of the role, other folks would rather spend their boat time on the water instead of lovingly tending to every square inch of their vessel. If that’s your style, no worries! We’ve got top-quality boat detailing services at your disposal, as well as mechanical, canvas, and fiberglass services. Either way, we look forward to serving you at North Florida Yacht Sales in Jacksonville, just off the St. Johns River.

A person polishing the deck of a boat

Apply Surface Protectants

Once your vessel is cleaned and waxed, apply surface protectants to keep it at its shiny, gleaming best for as long as possible. There are a variety of different protectants for different surfaces, such as fabric, vinyl, rubber, and plastic. These products will make your detailing efforts last longer and look better, and help avert mold and mildew.

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