Your bass wagon is a matter of personal pride, and if you're like me, the cleaner it is, the better you feel. No one has time to clean a boat daily, but periodic washings and scrubbings will help it retain that brand-new look. For this project, we give up details on detailing. Water spots, bar-roller grime, road tar, and carpet care - with just a little elbow grease, and the right cleaners, your bass boat will shine in no time.
Step 1: Preen Your Powerplant
Outboard engines get grimy quick. Most offensive is the scum that collects along the water line and water spots on the cowling itself. We used L&L Wonderfoam, which performed admirably. After applying the cleaner, scrub the spots, wet the motor with mild, soapy water, clean thoroughly, hose down, and dry.
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Step 2: Sidewall Scrub
You can use a similar process to clean the sidewalls; however, wet the entire side first. Then, while still wet, use a boat-cleaning product to spray tough grime along the waterline. Next, scrub the whole sidewall using a towel or soft scrub brush. After scrubbing, rinse down the whole side, dry with a soft towel, and buff to a shine.
Step 3: Trailer Tips
Your trailer may already be wet from rinsing the sides; if not, wet it. The biggest problem with trailers is road grime - bits of tar and insects that collect from extended travels. The best bet for removing all the grime is a mild soap, like dish detergent, mixed with water. Also, clean the step pads and wheel wells with detergent. Avoid using rubber conditioners that leave step pads slippery - the results can be dangerous. After scrubbing, rinse the whole trailer down, then dry.
Step 4: Tire Shine
Trailer tires are expensive, and it pays to take care of them. Plus, they can sharpen the appearance of your whole boat-and-trailer package. First, scrub the tires and rims with soapy water, then dry them thoroughly. Next, spray the tires with a tire detailing product, like Westley's Foaming Tire Care, and wipe with a rag until the outside tire wall is shiny.
Step 5: Rubber Removal
One of the most challenging spots to clean on any boat is the contact area between the bow and bar roller. Usually, rubber residue gets caked onto the hull, then baked in by the sun. Over the years, acetone has proven the best bet for muscling off this tough stuff. Use sparingly, with a small rag, to rub and scrub the area. Avoid drip acetone on rubber or other sensitive materials, and minimize hand contact.
Step 6: Rub Rail Rubdown
Tough streaks can occur whenever the rub rail scrapes against docks, dock buoys, or other boats. For tough streaks, try acetone in limited quantities. To renew the look of the original rub rail, BTS will help it shine. Don't spray the rub rail, though. Instead, wet a small cloth with BTS and wipe the rub rail, being careful not to drip.
Step 7: Console Conditioning
For all the plastic and glass located in and around consoles, use Windex. If your console or other parts of the boat include woodgrain, use a mild detergent, like dish soap, to clean, wipe with clean water, and dry. Use a mild detergent or vinegar-and-water combination for graphs and other electronics, and wipe the electronics in one direction with a soft cloth. This avoids grit marks and streaks when wiping in a circular motion.
Step 8: Walk The Walk
Right now, your periodic detailing is almost complete. Do a thorough walkaround and note any spots that didn't come clean. For any areas that require tougher cleaning, use a product like Goo Gone or a non-abrasive rubbing compound. Always test a small, inconspicuous area before applying these harsher cleaners.
| Optional: Further Cleaning |
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Seat Scrub Avoid using Armor All, or other vinyl conditioners, that leave seats slippery. Instead, use a product like Formula 409. Spray the seats, scrub with a soft scrub brush, hose down or wipe with clean water, then dry very well with a clean towel. Treat with BTS.Carpet Cleanup A simple Shop Vac can vacuum carpets, but avoid using the readily available carpet shampoos. If used too often, shampoos and carpet conditioners can soften the fibers and create a worn-in look. Instead, wet the carpet, then vacuum with a wet vac. Use small, confined bursts of Spot Shot or another carpet cleaner for tough spots like blood.Liven Up Livewells Livewells need to be cleaned often to curtail the smell and ensure their proper operation. Fish scales, regurgitated forage, and other items can clog filter screens. To clean the livewells, remove all filter screens from the livewell itself and the intake. Make sure the livewell is dry, then vacuum out any residue. Next, scrub the interior with mild detergent, then flush thoroughly with a hose. Make sure all soap is removed, then replace screens.Wax, If You Wish After your boat is thoroughly detailed, you may apply wax to the hull. We recommend BTS, but several great products are available, remember to use a soft cloth for application and buffing, taking care not to collect grit or small rocks. |
Reprinted with permission from Bass West Magazine
