How To Detail a Boat (the Ultimate Guide)

Dirty boat? Time to break out the buckets and get to work!

Most owners take pride in their boat’s appearance (and let’s face it, a clean boat just looks better) but the benefits of boat detailing go far beyond showing off to your friends.

After all, it’s no secret that your vessel is exposed to some pretty sketchy stuff out on the water.

Salt, algae, scum, grime, organic matter and other contaminants can quickly build up on the hull (especially below the waterline). Boat decks and interiors are magnets for dirt and muck.

Regular cleaning removes all the junk from your boat’s surfaces to ensure peak performance, protect the value of your investment, and prevent larger issues down the line.

The key word here is “regular”. Having a proactive boat maintenance routine is easier and more effective than doing a marathon scrub session once a year.

And if you’re like us, nothing compares to the joy of setting sail in a freshly-cleaned boat! So set aside a couple of hours, gather yoursupplies and read on to learn how to correctly detail a boat.

Table of Contents

1. Preparing To Detail Your Boat

2. Boat Exterior Detailing

3. Boat Interior Detailing

4. Cleaning Your Specific Type of Boat

5. Maintaining Your Detailing Work

6. Benefits of Regular Detailing

7. Boat Detailing FAQs

Preparing To Detail Your Boat

Keeping your boat in pristine condition doesn’t need to be a stressful chore. Taking the time to set yourself up for success can make detailing your boat simple and even enjoyable.

Here are a few tips to get started.

Get Your Boat Onto Dry Land

Since most of the dirt on your boat accumulates below the waterline, the only way to correctly detail your boat is to pull it out of the water.

Ideally, you’d haul your boat onto a trailer and spray it down with a hose after every trip. If you go boating daily and/or store your boat in the water, make sure to wash it once a week at minimum. Salt is highly corrosive and can erode your boat’s gelcoat over time.

Choose a Good Weather Day

Rainy and windy days areno bueno for boat washing, since your hard work could easily be undone by a shower of leaves or a splash of mud. A mild, sunny day with low to moderate humidity is your best bet.

Prepare Your Boat

Before you start cleaning, put away loose items, clutter and personal belongings. Make sure all surfaces are clear and any ropes, cables or hoses are properly secured. You may also want to cover your electronic systems to keep them from getting wet.

Stock Up on Supplies

The right tools and supplies make a world of difference when it comes to cleaning your boat. Sure, Bob from the marina makes do with dish soap and vinegar… but does his boat actually lookgood? We didn’t think so.

ThePoli Glow® Boat Detailing Kit has everything you need for effective DIY boat detailing from top to bottom and bow to stern, including:

• Concentrated boat wash
• Spray-on spot cleaner
• Spray-on gloss coating
• All-purpose interior cleaner
• Leather and vinyl conditioner for seats
• 2 microfiber multi-surface towels
• Microfiber detailing towel

You’ll also need a 5-gallon bucket, a soft-bristled scrub brush, rubber gloves to protect your hands and a hose or fresh water source.

Boat Exterior Detailing

Okay, let’s get down to business and clean that boat!

These instructions assume that your boat’s gelcoat is new or well-maintained. If you’re dealing with oxidation and heavy wear, use thePoli Glow® Deluxe Boat Restoration Kit to deep-clean and seal your gelcoat before starting the detail work.

How To Detail the Hull and Decks

1. Pour 1-2 ounces ofPoli Wash™ into a 5-gallon bucket.
2. Fill the bucket with fresh water from your faucet or hose, using the water pressure to create suds.
3. Wash the hull with a soft cloth, like our densely wovenMicrofiber Towel, or a non-abrasive brush. Start from the top of the hull and work downwards in circular motions.
4. Repeat Step 3 to wash the deck and upper surfaces of your boat.
5. Rinse all surfaces thoroughly with fresh water.
6. Allow the boat to air dry or wipe dry with a plush, absorbent microfiber cloth (we recommend our550 GSM Microfiber Detailing Towel for streak-free drying).
7. For glass and any exterior surfaces you don’t want to get wet, use a waterless detailer likePoli Super Spray™. Simply spray the area and wipe clean with a microfiber cloth.
8. Finish by spraying Poli Slick Seal™ directly on the surfaces of your boat. This gives your hull an instant high-gloss, water-resistant coating for added protection and shine. Use a microfiber cloth to ensure even distribution– no buffing required!

The Importance of Cleaning Below the Waterline

Hauling your boat out of the water is a hassle… so do you really need to clean below the waterline? Unfortunately, the answer is a hard YES.

The part of the hull below the waterline is often the dirtiest part of your boat, simply because it comes into direct contact with all the sketchy stuff floating in the water.

Many mariners neglect this area, only to be faced with something out of a horror movie when they finally get around to cleaning it. By that point, the debris has dried on and can only be removed by hours of back-breaking scrubbing. Don’t be that guy.

Poli Wash™ is a biodegradable, marine-safe cleaner that effectively removes gunk and buildup from your hull without stripping the gelcoat. With regular use (above AND below the waterline) it will help keep your boat in great shape for years to come.

Boat Interior Detailing

Cleaning the inside of your boat is similar to cleaning the inside of your house. But since your boat gets more sun exposure and heavier wear and tear, it’s important to use boat-specific cleaning products that are up to the job.

We designed ourPoli Interior Detailer™ with an innovative cross-linking polymer that includes UV scavengers to protect your boat against the damaging effects of sun and weather.

How To Detail the Interior Surfaces

1. SprayPoli Interior Detailer™onto ourMicrofiber Towel or the area to be cleaned. This all-purpose cleaner works on dashboards, interior panels, vinyl, glass, navigation screens, and even upholstered surfaces.
2. Wipe the surfaces with the microfiber towel, turning it over periodically.
3. To spot clean carpet or upholstery, applyPoli Interior Detailer™directly to the surface, scrub with a microfiber towel or brush, then wipe the area with a clean dry cloth. Be aware that harsh scrubbing will produce foam.

How To Detail Leather or Vinyl Seats

1. Pour a small amount ofPoli Leather & Vinyl Pro™ seat cleaner and conditioner onto a microfiber cloth or soft bristle brush.
2. Work the product into the leather or vinyl with small circular motions. Wipe off any excess cleaner.
3. Buff the seats with a soft, clean towel.

Cleaning Your Specific Type of Boat

Boats come in all finishes and sizes, so it’s important to tailor your cleaning routine to fit your specific craft. Here are some tips for detailing different types of boats:

Fiberglass Boats: The key to cleaning fiberglass boats is to remove dirt without damaging the gelcoat. Boat cleaners are essential as they are specially formulated for this purpose. 

Aluminum Boats: Scratching and water spots are constant challenges for aluminum boat owners. Stick with non-abrasive cleaning products (liquid sandpaper is OUT) and soft cloths rather than brushes. After every wash, buff your boat thoroughly with a thick microfiber towel for that gleaming shine.

Sailboats: Use the same marine cleaners as you would use on a fiberglass boat. Don’t forget to clean and store your sails properly between voyages! If your sailboat has a wooden deck, use a wood-specific cleaner and deck brush to scrub across the grain.

Yachts and Cruisers: Keep those luxury interiors, benches and seats in top condition with Poli Interior Detailer™ and Leather & Vinyl Pro™. The exterior of yachts can be cleaned with the same method used on smaller fiberglass boats.

Fishing Boats: Bad smells are the biggest cleaning problem for fishing boat owners, as you might expect! The only way to address this is to remove the source of the odors by cleaning decks, fish boxes and live wells regularly. Never leave bait or fish blood to dry out on your boat, and use detailing products that are designed to combat boat orders.

Maintaining Your Detailing Work

Boat detailing is an important part of maintaining your vessel, but it’s not nearly as much fun as spending a day out on the water. Luckily, there are some steps you can take so that cleaning your boat doesn’t feel like a never-ending project.

Follow these boat maintenance tips to extend the results from your detailing session:

Take care of your gelcoat

If you have a fiberglass boat, the gelcoat is the first line of defense against oxidation, staining and UV damage. A healthy gelcoat is also MUCH easier to wipe clean than a degraded one. Use a sealing product such asPoli Glow® Boat Polish at least once a year to keep your gelcoat shiny, strong and doing its job of protecting your boat.

Sparkle and shine!

Keep your gelcoat protected between restorations with a spray-on ceramic coating like Poli Slick Seal™. It’s infused with silica to create a slick, mirror-like surface on your boat’s hull, which not only looks great but also makes the hull more stain resistant and easier to clean.

Spot clean regularly

Cleaning your boat is like doing the dishes– it’s no big deal as long as you keep up with it. Once you get an encrusted layer of dried-on debris, catching up becomes a huge endeavor.

Get yourself in the habit of spot-cleaning your boat as soon as you notice dirty areas. And remember to hose down your rig with fresh water at the end of every boating day. Salt residue combined with sun exposure can degrade your boat very quickly.

Opt for dry storage

If you only use your boat seasonally or on weekends, consider keeping your boat in a dry storage facility when it’s not in use. Make sure every part of your boat is fully protected from rain and sunshine with a cover. This can help keep your boat from getting dirty in the first place, so you only need to clean it when you use it.

Benefits of Regular Detailing

Committed boat lovers know that regular detailing is part and parcel of boat ownership. Not only does proper cleaning extend the longevity of the vessel, it also helps to prevent corrosion and other pricey repairs.

Getting a system in place and using the right products and tools makes this necessary job a thousand times easier.

To get professional-level results for your boat, you need to use professional quality products.Poli Glow® makes it easy to stay on top of your cleaning checklist with a line ofmarine-specific cleaners designed to extend the life of your boat’s surfaces.

As avid boaters, we’re all about simplifying boat maintenance so you can get ‘er done and get back on the water in a shiny, beautiful and spotlessly clean boat! 

Boat Detailing FAQs

Got questions about detailing your boat? We’ve got answers! Check out some of the most frequently asked questions about boat cleaning.

Q: How often do I need to clean my boat?

You should clean your boat every time you take it out, or at least once a week if your boat lives on the water. Proactive cleaning beats tackling caked-on messes!

Q: How long does it take to clean a boat?

The amount of time needed to clean your boat depends on your vessel’s size, materials and general condition. Once you get into a rhythm and have all your cleaning supplies at the ready, you’ll find that detailing your boat goes pretty quickly. For a standard 20-30 foot fiberglass cruiser, you can expect to spend about 2 hours on your weekly detail job. 

Q: How can I preserve my boat’s finish?

Regular cleaning helps keep your boat’s finish from degrading and breaking down. It’s also critically important to protect the gelcoat with a marine polish like Poli Glow®. This seals the gelcoat and keeps oxidation, dirt, oil, moisture, and harmful UV radiation out. For added protection, spray Poli Slick Seal™ ceramic boat coating onto the hull after every wash.

Q: What are the best boat cleaning products?

We recommend our signaturePoli Glow® line of boat cleaners that are biodegradable, marine-safe and formulated to help you get the most out of your boat. These products use premium quality ingredients and are specifically designed toclean, polish and protect every surface. Give them a try and get ready for the inevitable flood of compliments to roll in!