How to Clean Your Aluminum Boat

If you’re the proud owner of an aluminum boat, you probably enjoy using it for fishing, cruising, or watersports. Your aluminum boat is built tough and made to withstand most of the hazards of boating. However, every time you take your vessel out on the water, it returns to the dock with a little grime. Over time, that little bit of dirt can turn into a big issue.

Grime does more than just hurt the appearance of your boat. It can actually corrode away your boat's surfaces, which is why proper cleaning is so important. We have created a beginner's guide to cleaning your aluminum boat so that you can make it look like new again, ready for your next adventure. For all your boating needs, give us a call or visit Loewer Powersports & Equipment in Alexandria, Louisiana.

Cleaning Prep

Before you begin, it’s helpful to gather everything you’ll need in one area so you’re not trying to find something in the middle of the cleaning process. Take a tour of your craft and remove all the garbage. Remove personal items and take anything that doesn’t need to be on the vessel into your house or garage. Use this as an opportunity to update and replenish the safety equipment. You might make a list of what needs to be replaced, like a first-aid kit or life jackets.

Get the Right Supplies

Proper boat cleaning starts with the proper tools. Keep in mind that aluminum tends to develop an oxidized coating, which means that you’ll need a special aluminum boat cleaner. Ordinary soap and water might clean the surface of the aluminum, but it will do little to restore its shine or offer the right protection from the elements. Opt for a low-micron cleaner to brighten and protect the surface, and get the best possible shine. You'll also want a soft-bristle brush to make sure that it cleans without scratching the paint or hull.

Washing the Boat

As a boat owner, one of your key responsibilities is to rinse your vessel after each voyage. This gets rid of immediate grime buildup before it can become harder to remove. This step is crucial if you venture into saltwater since the salt buildup can corrode parts of your aluminum boat. When you are ready to start cleaning your boat, you'll want to rinse it one more time.

The best approach is to clean in small sections since you'll want to rinse the soap before it dries. If you don't, you'll be stuck with unsightly streaks. Even worse, soap residue can damage the finish of your shiny vessel. Begin at the top of the hull and work down. Remember that the deeper clean you do now, the more protection you'll get later when you apply the wax. Once you’ve finished using soap and water, turn on the hose and wash off all of the excess soap that may have accumulated. Next, it’s time to use the aluminum cleaning solution.

Apply the Aluminum Cleaner

Make sure that you have got a marine-grade aluminum cleaning solution and read the instructions carefully before diluting it. Most aluminum cleaners are diluted by a factor of 3 or 4, which means that you’ll need to put about 500 ml of the solution into a bucket and then dilute it with 1.5 or 2 liters of water. Once you’ve made the cleaning solution, dip your brush and start scrubbing the hull. This process might take about twice as long as it took you to wash the boat because you’ll need to spend some serious time scrubbing any patches which didn’t get washed out entirely during the initial step.

After you’ve completely brushed down every inch of your boat’s hull, you should check the cleaner’s instructions to see whether it requires time to set in through the layers of the metal or whether it can be washed off immediately. Hose down the hull one last time to remove any excess cleaning solution that may be remaining. You can let your aluminum boat air dry, but it will leave water spots. You can use a synthetic chamois or a squeegee blade to get the water off.

Waxing & Polishing

A key part of cleaning your aluminum boat is waxing, preferably twice a year. Apply a coat of wax before winter storage and again when you take it out for the year. Waxing is time-consuming, but it provides many benefits. Grime will find it harder to stick, so you'll have to clean it less often. Your boat will shine in the sunlight and stay looking like new longer, too. Don't forget to polish your boat. It will help you to clear away oxidation from the gel coat and give the surface a nice shine that will leave your boat sparkling!

We hope you found our aluminum boat cleaning guide helpful. For all your boating needs, visit Loewer Powersports & Equipment. We offer a wide range of high-quality boats for sale. Whether you are looking for an aluminum boat for fishing or something to tow the kids around, you'll find it with us! Our dealership is based in Alexandria, LA, and we proudly serve all of Rapides Parish and Lafayette.