Tips on Cleaning and Polishing Your Pontoon
Pontoon boats are an investment, and making sure it stays looking as good as new is often a top priority. In this post, we'll give you some simple tips on keeping your pontoon polished and looking brand new without spending a fortune. Don't forget to check out White's Marine Center in Pittsburg, Missouri. Proudly serving customers in Kansas City and Springfield, Missouri, we carry a large selection of new and pre-owned pontoon boats.
Pre-cleaning
Before you get down to the business of cleaning your pontoon boat, start by hosing off all the dirt and grime that's accumulated over time. A power washer works best, but a simple rag will also work. Make sure to focus on the hull, where algae and other minerals build up in layers. Saltwater pontoons may also have a lot of salt built up, and you might need a plastic scraper, as well.
Administer a Quality Cleaner
The next step is to apply good, old-fashioned toilet bowl cleaner. The acidity in the toilet bowl cleaner is needed to get the pontoon boat ideally clean. Make sure to work it into every little area of your boat. This can take awhile and be pretty laborious, so we suggest using a plastic sprayer for this step. Use one part cleaner to two parts water and, after rinsing on, let it sit for a while before rinsing off.
Polish and Clean Again
For that buffed, gleaming finish, invest in a quality polisher for this next step. Not only would it be challenging to do this step by hand, but you also won't get the same results. Set your polisher to a lower speed and use circular motions. Do one area at a time, and don't rush this stage. It should take at least two hours if done right. After polishing, clean the boat again, toilet bowl cleaner and all. If not, polishing compounds can settle into your boat to create a hazy, foggy appearance.
Final Step: Shark Hide
Shark Hide is in the arsenal of every pontoon owner who knows the secret of a well-polished craft. Shark hide is an aluminum cleaner that works to finish off oxidized surfaces — perfect for your pontoon boat. Use two parts water to one part cleaner and go over the whole boat with a plastic sprayer. Let it sit for five minutes and rinse with water. Your sweat equity will be rewarded with the shiniest, most polished-looking boat in the dock or water!
Ready to hit the water? Call White's Marine Center today or stop by our showroom in Pittsburg, Missouri, where we serve future pontoon boat owners in Kansas City and Springfield, Missouri.