Rawlins Paints Blog Industrial Paint Tips, Guidelines & DIY Articles
If you own a vessel or use one for work we can imagine it’s your pride and joy. Looking after a boat involves a lot of time and effort, however there are products out there designed to make your life easier. The more you look after your boat, the better it will perform and the longer it will last. Find out more about the leading boat paints and marine coatings available today at Rawlins Paints.
Cleaning a Boat’s Exterior
When it comes to cleaning a boat you must think about the different types of materials your boat is made from, and use a cleaner that is appropriate. Areas in which grime, oil, sludge or any other kind of substance build up, should be your target. If you are cleaning areas that need a rinse to get rid of bad smells, a simple mix of baking soda and hot water can help. For larger sturdier areas, a power washer may be useful to you.
Rust Removal
You may also need to tackle those unsightly rust stains or rusted steel fixtures. In which case, some baking soda or white vinegar and a little elbow grease with a toothbrush will do just the trick. Either substance will help to dissolve the rust away from the metal, allowing you to fix and clean the area, ready to restore.
For larger rusted areas, there are plenty of reasonably priced rust removers on the market, however always be wary of choosing any rust-removal product, as some may be corrosive and do more damage that what you started with. It’s also best to avoid steel based tools such as steel wool, which may damage the area even further. After any type of rust, or rust stain removal, ensure that the area is washed thoroughly with clean water and always keep the boat protected from the elements when storing out of the water.
For more boat restoration hacks, visit Boat’s and Outboards article here.
Repairing & Updating Previously Painted Sections of a Boat
If the boat you are cleaning looks as though it needs an update, a paint with a high-gloss finish suitable for marine environments will bring back it’s sparkle. Teamac Marine Gloss is suitable for all general marine areas above the waterline and comes in a range of quality colours.
Remember, when you are painting these areas the surfaces must be clean and dry. Existing painted surfaces should also be cleaned and sanded to remove any loose and flaking material to make sure you get the best finish.
As a preventative measure, you should also use an antifouling product. This is something you should do at least every 12-18 months if your boat is staying a float.Teamac Antifouling D is designed to dissuade the growth of barnacles, weed, and other water life on the submersed hull of your boat. It’s best suited to vessels with a maximum speed of 25-30 knots. If you don’t use an antifouling product you could find that the performance and durability of your boat is affected. Applying an antifouling product will save you time and money, and keep your boat looking at it’s best.
Want to see more of what these types of products can do for boats? Watch our video of the amazing restoration of 100-year-old boat “Darling.” Remember, if you have any questions about marine paints our experts are here to help.
*This article has been updated for the Spring/Summer 2017 season, when many people will be looking to repair and restore moored boats.
I appreciate you sharing these tips in how to help remove rust and prepare your boat for a new paint job or upgrade. It’s important, I think, to follow the preparatory steps before painting your boat to ensure that the paint job lasts. It may even be wise to hire some professionals who will be sure to follow each step in order to effectively and dependably paint your boat to last.
This is some really good information about caring for your boat. I liked that you talked about how you need to watch out or rust. I wouldn’t have even thought about worrying about rust on a boat. It does seem like a good idea to make sure that you are doing enough preventative measures about that.