Guide to cleaning, protecting and restoring boat surfaces
See our guide pages for:
- Acrylic (rigid plastic) - windows, washboards, hatches
- Aluminium or anodised aluminium
- Anti-slip areas
- Clear vinyl (flexible plastic) windows
- Fabrics - canopies awnings etc
- Fabrics - furnishing
- Fibreglass, grp, gel coat, polyester
- Leather
- Painted metal
- Painted wood
- PVC - fenders etc
- Stainless steel
- Teak - oiled or varnished
- Varnished wood
- Vinyl, pvc and vinyl coated fabrics
Some methods used in boatyards and marinas can damage and shorten the life of boats. Whether you are in the boat care trade, specifying the care of your yacht, or a practical boat owner doing it for yourself, this is a guide to good practice.
In spite of constant exposure to weather, water, salt atmospheric pollution, and the attack by organic agents like weed, mould and bird droppings, much of a boat's deterioration can be prevented by proper care.
Here are some common errors:
- Damaging gel coat by using car polish techniques
- Using cutting compound to clean and shine fibreglass
- Scrubbing or power washing teak
- Painting over easily restorable fibreglass
- Crazing acrylic windows by using window cleaner
- Spray hood windows cracked and yellowed by incorrect cleaners