Boat cleaning protocol: deck, teak and hull

This protocol describes the periodic cleaning of a pleasure or working boat on the pontoon, in the boatyard or in dry-stack storage: deck and fibreglass surfaces, teak, plastics and canvas, hull above the waterline and bilge. The products cited are those in the Instaquim catalogue, with the dose given in their technical data sheets; where the catalogue has no product (teak oil or sealer) the step is described generically.

Materials required

• Marino, concentrated neutral detergent (pH 7.5 ± 0.5) for the deck, synthetic materials and stainless steel
• Parket, neutral detergent for wooden surfaces (pH 7.5 ± 0.5)
• Carclean, detergent for high-pressure machines, indicated in its data sheet for marine cleaning, solvent-free and non-aggressive to aluminium
• Bilgras Pro (alkaline degreaser, pH at 1 % 12.5 ± 0.5) or Neutro Gras (low alkalinity, pH 11.3 ± 0.5, suitable for aluminium) for the bilge and engine
• Brill SS, silicone-free polish for plastics and vinyl canopies
• Antigraffiti 2, gel for graffiti (optional)
• Absec (granular absorbent) and Absodor (odour absorber) for spills and bilge odours
• Teak oil or sealer from a specialist manufacturer (not included in the Instaquim catalogue)
• Fresh water for dilution and rinsing
• Soft-bristle brush, graduated bucket, sprayer, dry cloths, pressure washer
• Tray or wash-water collection system as required by the marina or boatyard

Step-by-step procedure

1. Inspection and preparation: Inspect the deck, teak, hull and bilge: salt, green algae, grease, diesel and graffiti. Close hatches and portholes, remove lines, fenders and cushions, and check where the wash water will end up. Identify the materials (gelcoat, stainless steel, aluminium, wood), because they determine the product for each area.
2. Pre-rinse with fresh water: Rinse the whole deck with fresh water, from bow to stern, to carry away salt and loose dirt. With a pressure washer, use a fan jet and keep away from seams, sealant and wood: the pressure must never lift the gelcoat or the teak fibres.
3. Deck cleaning with neutral detergent: Dilute Marino at 5 to 10 g/l in water according to the degree of soiling. Apply with a soft brush or mop in sections and scrub; Marino cleans deeply without leaving residues and keeps surfaces glossy, and its neutral pH makes it suitable for gelcoat, non-slip surfaces, synthetic materials and stainless steel. Do not allow the solution to dry on the surface.
4. Deck rinse: Rinse with fresh water until all detergent residue is removed, paying particular attention to scuppers, hatch seams and cleats. Detergent residue on a non-slip surface makes it slippery.
5. Teak cleaning: Dilute Parket at 5 to 20 g/l depending on the degree of soiling. Apply with a soft-bristle brush and always scrub across the grain so as not to tear out the soft fibres. Parket is a neutral detergent (pH 7.5 ± 0.5) formulated for wooden surfaces that cleans without leaving residues. Rinse thoroughly with fresh water. Two-part brightening of greyed teak is not part of the Instaquim catalogue.
6. Teak protection (generic product): With the wood completely dry, apply a teak oil or sealer from a specialist manufacturer, in thin coats with a cloth or brush, following its drying times. Instaquim does not sell a teak protector; do not apply floor waxes to an exterior wooden deck.
7. Plastics, canopies and dashboards: Once the surfaces have been cleaned with Marino, spray a small amount of Brill SS onto plastics, vinyl canopies and consoles and rub with a dry cloth. Brill SS contains no silicone, so it does not leave a slippery finish, but it is a highly flammable liquid (H225): keep it away from ignition sources, do not smoke and do not apply it near a hot engine.
8. Hull above the waterline: With the boat hauled out or on the pontoon with wash-water collection, apply Carclean with a pressure washer or sprayer: 10 to 50 g/l for light soiling and from 50 % to neat for heavy soiling. Leave to act for a few minutes and rinse with plenty of water, preferably with a pressure washer. Carclean is indicated in its data sheet for marine cleaning, contains no solvents and does not attack aluminium; its pH at 1 % is 10 ± 1, so on polished gelcoat or topcoat paint a test in an inconspicuous area is advisable and it should not be allowed to dry. It is not a product for the underwater hull and does not replace antifouling paint.
9. Bilge and engine: For grease and oil residues in fibreglass or steel bilges, apply Bilgras Pro neat or diluted up to 1 % depending on the degree of soiling, spraying it on and rinsing with plenty of water; it can be used with a pressure washer. Bilgras Pro is corrosive (H314, H290) and cannot be used on aluminium: if the bilge, engine or its components are aluminium, use Neutro Gras neat or diluted at 3-10 %, which is suitable for all types of metal, including aluminium. In both cases, bilge water containing product is pumped to a holding tank and managed as waste, never discharged into the sea. For persistent odours, spread Absodor neat over the area and leave it to dry.
10. Spills and graffiti: In the event of an oil or diesel spill on deck or on the pontoon, spread Absec evenly; it absorbs all types of fluid, water, oils, etc., is removed by sweeping and, depending on its degree of saturation, is reusable. For graffiti on the hull or on quays, apply Antigraffiti 2 with a brush, leave to act for a few minutes and rinse with pressurised water, after a prior compatibility test in an inconspicuous area.
11. Final rinse and record: Rinse the whole boat with fresh water, dry the stainless steel fittings and note the date, areas, products and doses on the maintenance sheet.

Verification and control

On completion, the deck must be free of salt residue (wipe a dry dark cloth over the non-slip surface: it must leave no white powder), with no foam in the scuppers and no slippery areas. The teak must show a uniform colour, with no raised grain or dark patches from excess water. The hull must be free of green algae and streaks at the waterline. In the bilge, no film of grease and with the residual water removed to the holding tank. Record the dilutions used and any incident affecting gelcoat, aluminium or paint.

Safety and PPE

• Protective gloves, clothing and eye protection at every step; Marino, Parket and Carclean cause serious eye damage (H318) and Bilgras Pro causes severe skin burns and eye damage (H314)
• With Bilgras Pro, in case of inadequate ventilation (closed bilge) wear respiratory protection, as indicated in its data sheet
• Brill SS is highly flammable (H225) and may be fatal if swallowed and enters airways (H304): do not spray near heat, sparks or flames and work in a ventilated area
• Antigraffiti 2: protective gloves, clothing and eye protection; respiratory equipment if ventilation is inadequate
• Non-slip footwear, harness or lifejacket as required by the boatyard or marina regulations
• Do not mix products with one another; keep containers closed and out of reach of children
• Collect wash water containing product: Parket and Carclean are harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects (H412)

Recommended Instaquim products

Deck and synthetics: Marino (5-10 g/l). Wood: Parket (5-20 g/l). Hull with pressure washer: Carclean (10-50 g/l or up to neat, solvent-free, safe on aluminium). Bilge and engine: Bilgras Pro (up to 1 %, not on aluminium) or Neutro Gras (3-10 %, suitable for aluminium). Plastics and canopies: Brill SS. Spills, odours and graffiti: Absec, Absodor and Antigraffiti 2. None of these products is formulated to be discharged into the sea: wash water is managed in accordance with the marina's rules. Instaquim does not have a specific teak oil, sealer or brightener.

Applicable legislation: Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 on detergents, Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP) for labelling and the H and P statements cited, Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH) and the marina or boatyard by-laws on discharges and waste management.

Frequently asked questions

Which detergent should I use on a fibreglass or gelcoat deck without damaging it?

A neutral detergent. Marino has a pH of 7.5 ± 0.5 and is dosed at 5 to 10 g/l according to the degree of soiling; it is suitable for hard floors, synthetic materials and stainless steel.

Does Instaquim have a specific cleaner or oil for teak?

No. For cleaning wood, the catalogue product is Parket, a neutral detergent for wooden surfaces diluted at 5 to 20 g/l. Brightening and teak oil or sealer must be done with products from a manufacturer specialising in marine timber.

Which product is suitable for the hull and the waterline?

Carclean, indicated in its data sheet for automotive, aeronautical and marine cleaning and designed for high-pressure machines: 10 to 50 g/l for light soiling and from 50 % to neat for heavy soiling and engines. It contains no solvents and does not attack aluminium. It is applied with the boat hauled out or with wash-water collection.

Can I use an alkaline degreaser in the bilge if the engine or the bottom is aluminium?

Bilgras Pro can be used on all types of metal with the exception of aluminium. If aluminium is present, the option is Neutro Gras, a low-alkalinity degreaser (pH 11.3 ± 0.5) that can be used on all types of metal, including aluminium, neat or diluted at 3-10 %.

Can wash-water residues be discharged into the sea or the harbour?

Not as a general rule. Parket and Carclean carry the H412 statement (harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects), so wash water containing product must be collected and managed in accordance with the marina or shipyard regulations. Empty containers are disposed of in accordance with local regulations.

How do I remove graffiti or tags from the hull or the pontoon?

With Antigraffiti 2, a solvent gel free of halogenated solvents whose texture makes it easier to work on vertical surfaces. It is applied with a brush, left to act for a few minutes and rinsed with water, preferably pressurised. Beforehand, carry out a compatibility test in an inconspicuous area: gelcoat and paints may be affected.

What do I do with an oil or diesel spill on deck or on the quay?

Spread Absec, a granular magnesium silicate absorbent that absorbs all types of fluid, water, oils, etc. It is removed by sweeping and, depending on its degree of saturation, is reusable. Used absorbent is managed as waste.