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Last Updated on August 24, 2024 by Paul Clayton
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How To Easily Remove Water Spots from a Pontoon Boat
Water spots are a real bummer. They quickly form on the hull after a trip to the lake, and removing them is challenging. But since I love to keep my pontoon boat spotless, I’ll share the simple methods I use to remove water spots in this article.
Key Takeaways:
- Vinegar Solution: A 50/50 mixture of water and white vinegar is an effective and inexpensive way to remove water spots from a pontoon boat.
- Professional Removers: Products like Boat Bling HS-0128 are designed to remove tough water stains and add a protective layer to the boat.
- Rust Removal: Oxalic acid mixed with water or commercial products like Star Brite Hull Cleaner removes boat rust stains.
- Preventive Measures: Using wax-based boat cleaners and regularly rinsing and drying the boat can reduce the frequency of water spots forming.
Cleaning Your Pontoon with Vinegar
Vinegar is a cheap and easily accessible cleaning product. It explains why many online cleaning hacks use vinegar to scour and disinfect different things at home, from tiles to kitchen sinks.
The other reason Vinegar should be your go-to solution is that water spots usually form from water minerals.
Water minerals stained on your pontoon are harder to remove using the regular soapy water mixture. It may work, but it’s ineffective and requires much elbow grease. Usually, a soapy water mixture leaves a blurry build-up.
Luckily, a vinegar-water solution can get the job done within no time.
So, without any fuss, let’s talk about how to clean a pontoon boat with vinegar:
Step 1: Mix Water and Vinegar in a 50/50 Ratio
When removing water spots from your pontoon boat, the first step is to mix water and white vinegar in equal parts.
In this case, distilled water will provide the best results since it is mineral-free. However, regular clean water will still work if you don’t have distilled water at home.
Once you make the water-vinegar solution, pour it into a spray bottle for quick and effortless application.
Step 2: Spray the Vinegar Solution on the Stained Parts
Spray the vinegar solution on the target areas and leave it for about 30 seconds to one minute. This will allow the acetic acid to dissolve the minerals and eliminate all the spots.
However, if your boat has excess dirt and grime, you’ll want to clean it with water and soap before spraying the vinegar solution.
Once you spray the vinegar solution on the boat, don’t let it sit too long. It’s acidic and might ruin the boat’s protective coatings.
If you notice any corrosive algae, you can scrub the boat gently with a non-abrasive brush or pad.
Step 3: Wipe the Pontoons Using a Clean Towel
Finally, use a clean microfiber towel to wipe the vinegar solution from the pontoon boat. If the stains persist, repeat the process, but apply it only to the stained areas.
When using vinegar to remove spots from your boat, don’t apply it on the hardwood, as it may ruin it.
Avoid using vinegar on marble and parts near electrical wiring, as the ionizing acid can damage your boat’s electrics.
The boat should be clean and sparkly so far. But if there are still some tough stains, it’s time to get a little more professional.
Use Boat Bling HS-0128 Premium Remover
Tough stains usually form on a boat when not cleaned well and wiped well after every boating trip.
If your boat has these persistent watermarks, products specifically designed to act on water minerals will help.
With great reviews online, the Boat Bling HS-0128 Premium Remover is a perfect product for this job.
It’s designed to dissolve tough stains without damaging the protective wax on watercraft, RVs, motorcycles, campers, and other vehicles.
I’ve used this formula several times on my pontoon boat, and it works very well on stains that the vinegar solution cannot remove.
The water stain remover uses environmentally friendly ingredients like vinegar and Carnauba wax.
What I love about this formula is that it’s easy to use. You spray the stain remover on target areas, leave it for 10 to 15 minutes, and then wipe the boat off with a clean towel.
You can also use a soft scrub pad for tough stains, but you won’t need much scrubbing since the formula will do most of the work.
This formula is ideal for removing water stains and residue from the exhaust. It also works well on motors’ painted surfaces.
Moreover, it adds a protective layer to the boat, ensuring no more stains form on your pontoon after cleaning it.
When you finish cleaning your boat, you can use the remaining product to remove stains and scum on other parts of the boat, like the engine.
It’s safe to use on different materials, from plastic and glass to fiberglass and painted surfaces. Nowadays, I use it even when cleaning my car, and the results are usually amazing.
How to Remove Rust Stains off a Boat
You can use many products to remove rust stains from your boat. Here are some of the most effective yet affordable methods:
1. Oxalic Acid and Water
To remove rust stains from your boat, buy oxalic acid and mix it with water to make a cleaning solution.
A ratio of about 3 to 5 (oxalic acid to water) will produce an excellent solution for removing rust stains from a boat.
Then, using a sprayer, apply the solution to the affected parts. Let the solution sit on the surface for a few minutes before rinsing with a pressure washer.
If you want to use it on vertical surfaces, add some liquid soap to help the acid dwell on the stains for longer and dissolve them.
For the worst of huge rust stains, you can scrub the surface with a soft bristle brush or pad and rinse it with clean water.
I’ve used this method on my fiberglass ski boat for years, and it works perfectly. It’s also cheap compared to commercial hull cleaners.
Some people have also had great results with toilet bowl cleaners. I haven’t tried this method on my boat, but I bet it works since most toilet bowl cleaners have oxalic acid.
2. Star Brite Hull Cleaner
Another efficient method for removing rust stains on boats involves using the Star Brite Instant Hull Cleaner.
This cleaner is ideal for those looking for a quick remedy since it comes ready to use on fiberglass and painted surfaces.
Spray it on the affected parts to cover the stains, and wait a few minutes before rinsing.
It’s one of my best products when preparing my pontoon boat for winter storage, as it makes the cleaning work much easier.
Since this product is a gel formula, it sticks to the affected vertical parts for the maximum time possible to ensure perfect results.
Overall, the Star Brite Instant Hull Cleaner is safe to use. It does not contain harsh chemicals or an overpowering smell.
How Do You Prevent Water Spots on Your Pontoon Boat
While you can never completely prevent water spots from a boat, you can do a few things to reduce how regularly they appear on your vessel.
One effective way to prevent water spots on your pontoon boat is to clean the hull with a wax-based cleaner.
Wax-based boat cleaners leave the hull with a protective coating that prevents minerals from accumulating on the surface quickly.
They also give the boat a shiny look and prevent rust stains, extending your boat’s durability.
Along with cleaning your boat with wax-based cleaners, you can rinse it with clean water and pat it dry with a clean towel after your boating adventures. This will prevent minerals from accumulating on the surface.
FAQs
Q: How Do I Get Rid of Water Spots on My Boat?
A: Vinegar can remove water spots from your boat. Mix equal water and vinegar, spray the affected parts, wait a few seconds, and wipe off with a towel.
If this method doesn’t work for your boat, you can use commercial products to remove tough spots.
Q: How Do You Get Stains Out of Aluminum Pontoons?
A: Oxalic acid and water can remove stains on aluminum pontoons. I like adding liquid soap to the solution for even better results.
If you are looking for a professional solution, there are countless products for removing stains from aluminum pontoons. Some of the most trusted brands include Star Brite and Sharkhide.
I’ve also heard about boaters who use oxalic acid and commercial cleaners for tough stains, and they work great. You can try it too for instant positive results.
Wrap Up
To maintain your pontoon boat’s attractive appearance and value, clean and polish it regularly.
However, if your boat has water spots that won’t come off after cleaning with water and soap, you can use a vinegar-water solution or buy a hard water stain remover.
Once you get rid of the spots, you can habitually rinse the boat with clean water and dry it after exploring the seas. This will reduce the frequency with which water stains form on the hull and save time!
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