Spring Prep Time
Our boats are weeks away from coming out of hibernation and spending the next five months going to battle. We must take care of vessels if we expect them to take care of us. In the past, I would be fumbling around trying all the latest and greatest cleaning and detail products. Before I knew it, I had more product in stock than West Marine! The last few seasons I have worked to narrow down to what works best for me. I want to keep it simple and make sure I was using the right tools for the job. So here is my list of my favorite spring time chemicals, tools, and techniques.
This list is just one man’s opinion, so if you have something you love let us know in our PRIVATE FORUM if you are a member. You can engage with other members AND learn some other fishing and boating tips in the forum!
Ablative Bottom Paint
Most boats in our waters use ablative bottom paint. Ablative paint wears off the bottom leaving a smooth transition for the next coat that eliminates sanding. Petit Hydrocoat, West Marine CCP, Sea Hawk, and Woosley are all products I have had success with in the past.
West Marine Rust Stain Remover
Not only is the spray amazing at easily removing rust stains around the deck, it is PHENOMENAL at removing the dreaded scum line off your hull. Simply spray on (a little rub with a cloth in heavily stained areas) and rinse! I used other fiberglass stain removers for years and this is by far the easiest.
Acetone
A staple in spring boat prep. Acetone cleans off fiberglass to adhere new stickers, removes old adhesive, and is good for removing black streak on the fiberglass. If you have a rubber rub rail, run a rag of acetone down it to clean it up in a jiffy!
Buff Magic
The name says it all. This stuff is purely magical. It is the most versatile chemical product in spring prep. I use it for a light compound on the hull before I wax as well as cleaning and protecting my brightwork. It also works wonders on my windshield. The beauty of Buff Magic lies in that it is a compound that breaks down finer as you work it. Which means you do not have to change to a different cut in between coats.
3M Restorer and Wax
Once I Buff Magic my hull over, I’ll lay on some restorer and wax to protect my hull from the sun and the salt throughout the summer. I have found the 3M to hold up the best throughout the season over others.
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
A boat cleaning staple, the magic eraser has made life so much easier for us when it comes to stubborn marks on your fiberglass.
TIP": I scrub my entire deck and nonskid with the magic eraser to keep it bright white and so clean you could eat off it (OK, OK… mid season I might skip a few cycles….)
CLR Bleach Free Mold and Mildew Remover
This mold and mildew remover is the best hands down that I have used. One thing I don’t like about it is that is a foam and not a spray, so you have to work it around a little bit. The non bleach aspect is also critical as bleach can strip wax and it is not a friend to electrical connections.
Purple Power Degreaser
For my everyday cleaning, I learned this little trick last season. I have a garden sprayer in my dock box that I fill with purple power and water mixture, spray the boat with the mixture, scrub, and rinse. The whole process is super quick and easy. I do not even have to fill a bucket. Simply Green works well too.
Woody Wax
Another great do it all product! My least favorite project of all time is waxing the interior of my boat. It is worth it for all the blood, dirt, and guts to slide right off when I take a hose to it, but is still sucks! So the past five years I have been using Woody Wax for my interior. It is also used for a DECK wax, making your boat super easy to clean (The first day it will be a little slippery so be careful!). I wax the interior of my boat at the docks about once a month and it takes 10 minutes. I also use Woody Wax to protect my metal after I clean it with Buff Magic
Corrosion X
After having some issues with my control panel switches last season, I replaced the fuses and gave them an extra layer of protection with a shot of Corrosion X at the connections. I also spray my trolling motors plugs with this. I also use Corrosion X for reel maintenance.
Dielectric Grease
Another step towards corrosion prevention. I put dielectric grease on my battery connections, bus bar, and trolling motor connections.
Sealants and Caulk
This section could take an entire blog, but this is the chart I refer to when trying to choose the correct sealant or adhesive on the boat. This chart from West Marine tells us all we need to know!
