Boat cleanup for winter storage????

(ericlee) · (ericlee) **Join Date: Apr 2007** 09-29-2008, 3:16 PM

Looks like my season is pretty much down. I have Mizzou games the next couple weekends and a wedding the next. :-(

Whats the best way you guys have went about giving the boat a good thorough cleaning? Main concern is the carpet and upholstery. I was thinking about taking it to a car wash and using the power wash for the carpets to get every little piece of dirt out. The upholstry is still up in the air. Clean it by hand and then scrub wit product or what? Any advice or tips would be appreciated.

(watersnake) · (watersnake) **Join Date: Jul 2006** 09-30-2008, 8:23 AM

If you can fork out the dough, Have it pro detailed on the inside only. You will get a deep clean and the boat will be ready to go for spring riding.

(bigkitch) · (bigkitch) **Join Date: Apr 2008** 09-30-2008, 9:17 AM

I have usually hired the steam cleaners that do my house and do all the carpets. They only charge me about 100 bucks to do a full steam clean on the carpets and get the stains out of the vynil.

(shredhead) · (shredhead) **Join Date: Jun 2003** 10-01-2008, 10:30 AM

I just clean mine in the spring. But I also store mine in a barn during winter.

(davomaddo) · (davomaddo) **Join Date: Feb 2003** 10-01-2008, 11:52 AM

Cheap and simple:
1. Vaccuum
2. Hose
3. Scrub with scrub brush using carpet cleaner, any will do
4. Vacuum again with wet/dry vac both carpet and bilge
5. In couple days vacuum the water out of the bilge again.
6. It also helps to take the seat cushons out or at least pull them out so that they are all loose in the boat - to help make sure everything dries.
7. Put some dehumidifier stuff in their, like Damp Rid

(billhall) · (billhall) **Join Date: Jun 2006** 10-02-2008, 8:56 AM

^^^^^
Dave's pretty much got it though usually I never have any stains or that much dirt on my carpet so just a quick vacuum is all it needs.

Getting the vinyl clean before you put it away it key, letting all that dirt sit embedded in the cushions for 6 months isn't helping anything.(Actually, it probably doesn't matter but I think it does) I also store my freshly cleaned cushions in the heated basement for the winter to avoid them getting brittle in the cold winters here in northern Wisco.

To clean the cushion, I almost always use the ZEP foaming Vinyl cleaner and a good scrub brush. Scrub the seats and seams and it will look great. I'm tempted to pick up some of the Exquisite and try it.