Boat owners like to joke that their boat is a hole in the water they pour money into, but you won’t find many boat owners willing to give away their prized watercraft. Instead, they take meticulous care of their investment because they love the days spent cruising the lakes, angling for fish, or towing friends and family behind on skis and tubes.
Still, most boat owners didn’t buy their boats with the knowledge of how to clean them properly. They learned how by talking to other boat owners and reading how-to articles on cleaning boats, like this one, or they turn to trusted professionals to clean and detail their boats. Read on for tips on how to get your prized possession cleaned up and protected, and get in touch if you require boat detailing in Grand Forks.
Boat Carpet Cleaning
The carpet of your boat might take the most abuse of any area on your boat. Passengers climb in and out from beaches, river beds, and docks, tracking dirt and debris with them. You probably have some form of Astroturf installed as your “carpet” rather than the pile carpet material you might find in a living room. Water can ruin a regular carpet, but the synthetic plastic of Astroturf resists water damage and mildew.
You do need to clean your carpet periodically, though. If you have a pressure washer, you should hose down your boat carpet after every trip. After a particularly filthy trip, say a weekend fishing tournament, you may want to get a deep clean. You’ve probably dripped fish slime and bait everywhere. Power washing the carpet with a professional cleaner will help keep your carpet looking like new.
Cleaning the Livewell
Your livewell keeps the fish alive and well while you continue fishing, but leaving it uncleaned can result in a smelly breeding ground for bacteria. You don’t want to use strong chemicals like bleach, as they can harm the fish — and you, if you decide to eat what you keep. Baking soda and water can clean and remove those fishy odors without the harmful side effects. You want to clean your livewell filters too.
Bilge Cleaning
The bilge area in your boat can harbor some of the worst dirt, grime, sludge, and oil residue. This build-up presents a challenge for most boat owners, but don’t fret. You can find non-toxic cleaners that break down grease and grime without having to put in the dreaded elbow grease. You should rinse out your boat’s bilge area after every use and use a commercial cleaner as often as necessary.
Console and Glass Cleaning
Your boat’s console and windshield constantly get wet from spray and rain. When the water dries, you may get unsightly water spots. A simple window cleaner will clean these areas, leaving them looking like new with minimal effort.
Cleaning the Seats
When you power-wash the carpet, you should power-wash the seats too. The next step takes time and effort. Let the seats dry, and then apply a vinyl shampoo and conditioner. This application will help protect your vinyl seats from cracking and fading due to sun exposure.
Cleaning the Hull
The hull of your boat takes a beating as it crashes through waves, runs up on beaches, and bounces off of docks. Washing your boat hull after every trip will help. Regular deep cleans with professional cleaners designed for your boat hull’s material will keep your boat shiny and new, counteracting the damage that exposure to sun and water can inflict.
Some boats can benefit from gel coats, too. These gel coats provide a protective barrier against the elements, like wax does for your car. The application process depends on the product you purchase. Be sure to find one that suits your ability and fits into your schedule. You don’t want to be up late at night applying a coat of wax because you bought a product that takes too long to apply.
Engine Cleaning
Your engine powers your boat. In addition to keeping it in tip-top running condition, you want to clean it up so it looks nice and new too. Dish soap and warm water will clean most gas or oil spills, and a scrub brush will help with any mold or mildew stains.
Trailer Cleaning
Every boat owner should take proper care of the trailer that carries their boat to and from the lake. Washing your trailer should be a priority. Take care of the tires, too, as exposure to the sun can result in cracking and a possible blow-out. You probably have a winch to help you pull the boat onto the trailer. If so, be sure to keep the rope or chain clean. Oiling the gears and chain can help preserve the metal and prevent rust.
Have a Professional Detail Your Boat
We often take our cars, trucks, and SUVs to a professional detailer to keep them looking pristine and new. Did you know you can have your boat detailed too? At the Rydell Car Wash and Detail Center, our specialty detail center has experience detailing all types of watercraft. Whether you have a jet ski, bass boat, or speed boat, our expert detailers have the knowledge, equipment, and cleaning solutions to restore and rejuvenate your boat.
We have Express options for under $100 and deluxe packages that cost less than $200. A quick conversation with our detail center will determine which option will give you the best results.
In most cases, we can detail your boat and trailer while you wait. We have a deluxe detail lounge where you can relax, munch on complimentary snacks and drinks, watch television, or grab one of our iPad tablets and surf the net. No matter what size boat you have, our technicians can handle the job. If you don’t want to wait, you can drop your boat off, and we’ll contact you when we’ve completed the task.
Schedule Boat Detailing in Grand Forks
We’ll take the time to clean the inside of your boat, hitting all the hot spots. We also get into those hard-to-reach places where dirt and grime collect. We have various detail packages, from simple wash and cleaning options to deep cleaning and waxing deals. You can contact one of our detail technicians to discuss the different options and find a package that fits your needs and budget, or you can schedule your detail appointment online.
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