Our Picks for Best Boat Cleaners

Find the Best Boat Cleaners at NAPA

Most boat owners are meticulous about cleaning their attention-grabbing speedsters and luxury watercraft. Even owners of well-used fishing boats and pontoons understand the importance of proper cleaning. A well-maintained boat is not just about looks. Attention to detail—and not skipping any cleaning steps at the start and end of a boating season—is the best way to protect your investment.

NAPAOnline sells mechanical components, replacement parts and aftermarket accessories for various recreational vehicles like trailers and campers, powersports equipment like ATVs and 4-wheelers plus a wide range of fishing boats and high-speed power boats. Browse our full catalog of marine products from engine, electrical and steering parts to upgrades for docking and storage.

Before pushing away from the dock on your first outing of the summer, do a complete inspection of your recreational boat for cracks, punctures, separated seams and puckering. To restore the body of your small vessel, shop for an epoxy adhesive to repair split seams, fill holes and reinforce rivets on aluminum hulls. For a fiberglass boat, a boat repair kit that contains a fiberglass resin will help you get the job done.

Not only will a full inspection ensure you and your party stay afloat, but going over every area of your boat exterior before moving to a different body of water guarantees it won’t transport an invasive species to another underwater community. Thoroughly drain, wash and dry your boat before removing residue and barnacles from the hull using a hose with a pressurized nozzle and scraper.

A complete cleaning and protectant application will help your boat fight off corrosion. Use an environmentally safe cleaner to remove caked-on salt, crusted mud, residue from algae scum and hazardous chemicals potentially leaking from other boats docked nearby. To find the best boat exterior cleaner or the best boat hull cleaner, browse NAPA’s selection of boat cleaning chemicals. 

Our experts recommend the concentrated 3M Marine Multi-Purpose Boat Soap, which is tough enough to remove grease and oil, but gentle enough to use on canvas and carpet. If you are searching for a boat cleaner spray, go for the Spray Nine Multi-Purpose Cleaner & Disinfectant with no petroleum or chlorinated solvents. If you need more of a commercial-grade cleaner that can remove blemishes from fiberglass and metal, order the Instant Black Streak Remover by MaryKate. 

Protect Your Boat for The Long Hull

After you’ve scrubbed the boat’s hull, finish by applying a protective coat of wax, which will make cleaning the hull easier at the end of boating season. For the best boat wax, NAPA offers a product that is both a boat cleaner and a wax. The 3M Marine Restorer & Wax is excellent for removing heavy oxidation and leaving a great shine when used as directed.

If you are searching for the best cleaning product for boat interior that is safe to use on all surfaces, we recommend the 303 Aerospace Protectant. This water-based cleaner features UV blockers to prevent fading and cracks from the sun’s harsh rays. The 303 spray offers a matte finish free from any oily residue and is safe to use on vinyl (including clear vinyl), fiberglass, carbon fiber, any rubber, plastic and finished leather. 

For the best boat interior cleaner, NAPA offers the 3M Marine Clean and Shine Wax, which has many universal applications, but absolutely shines at restoring trim and metal components of the helm. For the best treatment of your marine fabric pieces and a reliable boat seat cleaner, our experts recommend the 3M Marine Mildew Stain Remover. In the long term, and especially while in storage, the best way to prevent mold from forming inside your boat is purchasing a comprehensive, breathable boat cover with vents capable of releasing any air that may build up in the hull over time. 

From motor oil to lubricant, NAPAOnline carries all of the fluids and chemicals necessary for your fishing boat, speed boat and other marine cruisers. We also carry all of the cleaning and detailing supplies—from grease remover to leather conditioner and glass cleaner—that you could possibly need for anything with a motor. For more information on the best boat cleaning products, speak directly to one of our experts at your local NAPA Auto Parts store.

Photo courtesy of Pixabay.