How to Clean an Aluminum Boat

Fishing boats get dirty.

Mud gets tracked across the deck. Fish leave slime and scales behind. Bait gets spilled. Drinks get knocked over. Leaves collect in corners. And somehow there’s always at least one soft plastic lure slowly melting into something it shouldn’t be touching.

That’s part of using a fishing boat.

The goal of cleaning an aluminum fishing boat isn’t to keep it looking like a showroom display.

It’s to remove dirt, salt, fish residue, moisture and other contaminants before they contribute to staining, corrosion, mildew, odors or deterioration.

The Tin Can Boat Works Aluminum Boat Cleaning & Care Guide covers practical cleaning for aluminum jon boats and V-hulls without turning boat ownership into a weekly detailing project.

Clean what needs cleaning. Protect what needs protecting. Let the boat dry. Then go fishing again.

Jump To:
Quick Cleaning  |  Aluminum Hull  |  Painted Surfaces  |  Flooring & EVA  |  Seats & Vinyl  |  Livewells |  Saltwater Cleanup  |  Products to Avoid  |  Drying & Storage

Quick Aluminum Boat Cleaning

For routine freshwater use, cleaning can often remain simple.  How to Clean an Aluminum Boat

After a fishing trip:

  • Remove trash and leftover bait
  • Remove wet equipment
  • Clean fish residue
  • Drain livewells and coolers
  • Remove mud and vegetation
  • Rinse dirty areas as needed
  • Clean the hull when necessary
  • Open compartments to dry
  • Allow moisture to escape
  • Recharge batteries
  • Store the boat so water can drain

After saltwater use, the cleanup deserves additional attention.

Thoroughly rinse appropriate exposed surfaces and equipment with freshwater, including the boat, trailer, outboard and trolling motor according to their manufacturers’ recommendations.

You don’t necessarily need to deep-clean the entire boat after every trip.

You do need to prevent contaminants and moisture from becoming permanent residents.

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Cleaning an Aluminum Hull

Aluminum is durable, but that doesn’t mean every cleaner or cleaning method is appropriate for it.

For normal dirt and grime, start with the least aggressive cleaning method that gets the job done.

That usually means:

  • Freshwater
  • Mild aluminum-compatible cleaner or soap when needed
  • Soft brush, sponge or cloth
  • Thorough rinsing
  • Proper drying

Avoid immediately reaching for the strongest chemical in the garage.

More aggressive isn’t automatically more effective.

Start With a Rinse

Loose dirt, sand, mud and vegetation should generally be rinsed away before scrubbing.

This reduces the amount of abrasive material being dragged across the surface.

Pay attention to areas where material collects:

  • Around ribs
  • Along seams
  • Near the transom
  • Around drain fittings
  • Under storage areas
  • Around hardware

Cleaning also gives you an opportunity to inspect the hull.

Look for:

  • New dents
  • Cracks
  • Corrosion
  • Loose rivets
  • Damaged welds
  • Coating damage

A clean enough hull is an inspectable hull.

Use Soft Cleaning Tools

For normal washing, use cleaning tools that won’t unnecessarily scratch or damage the surface.

A soft brush or sponge is generally a better starting point than aggressive abrasives.

Remember that aluminum surfaces can vary considerably.

Your boat may have:

  • Bare aluminum
  • Painted aluminum
  • Powder-coated components
  • Other protective finishes

Treat the surface you actually have.

Rinse Cleaning Products Thoroughly

Don’t allow cleaner residue to sit indefinitely on aluminum surfaces.

Follow the product manufacturer’s directions for:

  • Dilution
  • Application
  • Contact time
  • Rinsing

If you’re trying a product for the first time, test it in an inconspicuous location when appropriate.

Future Resource: Cleaning & Protecting Bare Aluminum Boat Hulls →

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Cleaning Painted Aluminum

Painted aluminum needs to be treated as a coated surface.

The goal is to clean the boat without unnecessarily damaging the coating protecting the metal underneath.

Use products compatible with the particular finish.

Avoid aggressive scrubbing that can:

  • Dull paint
  • Scratch surfaces
  • Remove coatings
  • Expose bare aluminum

Inspect While You Clean

Washing a painted hull is a good opportunity to look for:

  • Chips
  • Scratches
  • Peeling
  • Blistering
  • Bubbling
  • Corrosion developing underneath the coating

A small scratch doesn’t necessarily require immediate major repair.

But coating damage shouldn’t automatically be ignored either.

If corrosion is developing underneath a painted surface, simply covering it with more paint may not address the underlying problem.

Determine what’s happening first.

Don’t Assume Automotive Products Are Automatically Appropriate

A product designed for a car isn’t necessarily the best product for an aluminum fishing boat.

Consider the:

  • Paint system
  • Aluminum substrate
  • Marine environment
  • Manufacturer’s recommendations

Use products appropriate for the finish you’re maintaining.

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Flooring, Carpet & EVA Foam

The inside of a fishing boat may contain several different materials, and each can require somewhat different care.

Marine Carpet

Carpet can hold:

  • Dirt
  • Sand
  • Fish residue
  • Water
  • Bait
  • Odors

Remove loose debris and clean the carpet using methods appropriate for marine carpeting.

One of the biggest concerns is allowing carpet and the material underneath it to dry properly.

Repeatedly covering wet carpet can contribute to:

  • Mildew
  • Odor
  • Deterioration
  • Trapped moisture

Cleaning it is only half the job.

Letting it dry matters too.

EVA Foam

EVA-style marine flooring has become popular because it’s comfortable, provides traction and can make a small fishing boat considerably nicer to use.

For routine care:

  • Remove loose dirt
  • Rinse when needed
  • Use compatible cleaners
  • Use appropriate brushes or cloths
  • Avoid unnecessarily aggressive chemicals

Follow the flooring manufacturer’s recommendations whenever available.

Be particularly careful with solvents and aggressive cleaners that could discolor, soften or damage foam materials or their adhesives.

Painted or Coated Decking

Decks may use marine paint, non-skid coatings or other finishes.

Use cleaning methods compatible with the coating.

Aggressive scrubbing can gradually wear away non-skid surfaces and paint.

The goal is to remove dirt without removing the deck.

Future Resource: Cleaning Marine Carpet & EVA Foam Flooring →

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Seats & Vinyl

Boat seats have a difficult job.

They’re exposed to:

  • Sun
  • Heat
  • Moisture
  • Sunscreen
  • Fish residue
  • Dirt
  • Repeated use

Routine cleaning helps prevent grime from becoming embedded in the material.

Clean Spills Early

Fish residue, food, drinks and other contaminants are usually easier to remove shortly after they happen.

Use cleaning products intended for marine vinyl or the particular seating material.

Follow the seat or cleaner manufacturer’s recommendations.

Watch for Mildew

Mildew often indicates that moisture and poor ventilation are part of the problem.

Cleaning the visible mildew without correcting the damp environment may mean it simply returns.

After cleaning:

  • Allow seats to dry
  • Ventilate storage areas
  • Avoid trapping wet materials against upholstery
  • Keep covers from creating a permanently damp environment

Be Careful With Harsh Chemicals

Aggressive chemicals can potentially damage:

  • Vinyl
  • Stitching
  • Protective coatings
  • Foam
  • Adjacent materials

Don’t use a stronger cleaner than necessary simply because a stain is stubborn.

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Cleaning Livewells, Coolers & Fish Areas

Anything that holds fish, bait or water can become unpleasant quickly if it isn’t cleaned.

That includes:

  • Livewells
  • Bait tanks
  • Coolers
  • Fish boxes
  • Cutting surfaces

Remove Organic Material

Clean out:

  • Scales
  • Fish slime
  • Blood
  • Bait
  • Plant material
  • Other debris

Organic residue can create odors and staining when left inside a warm boat.

Rinse and Drain

Make sure water can drain properly.

Inspect drains and screens for blockage.

If the livewell uses pumps and plumbing, periodically inspect:

  • Intake
  • Pump
  • Hoses
  • Connections
  • Clamps
  • Drain fittings

A livewell that isn’t draining correctly can also create moisture problems elsewhere in the boat.

Let It Dry

Don’t immediately close a wet livewell and leave the boat sitting in the sun for a week.

When practical, allow the compartment to dry and ventilate.

Your nose will appreciate the effort on the next fishing trip.

Future Resource: How to Clean & Maintain a Boat Livewell →

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Saltwater Cleanup

Saltwater fishing places additional demands on boats, trailers and equipment.

Aluminum fishing boats can be excellent saltwater boats when they’re properly equipped and cared for.

Post-trip cleanup becomes particularly important.

Rinse With Freshwater

After saltwater use, rinse appropriate exposed components with freshwater as soon as practical.

Pay attention to:

  • Hull
  • Transom
  • Hardware
  • Trailer
  • Wheels
  • Hubs
  • Springs
  • Winch
  • Outboard exterior
  • Trolling motor
  • Fishing equipment

Follow manufacturer recommendations for electronics, outboards, trolling motors and other equipment.

Don’t Forget Hidden Areas

Saltwater can collect in areas that don’t receive much attention.

Inspect:

  • Around fasteners
  • Under brackets
  • Around the transom
  • Battery compartments
  • Trailer hardware
  • Trolling-motor mounts
  • Drain areas

The obvious flat surfaces are usually the easiest areas to rinse.

It’s the corners and hardware that deserve a second look.

Flush the Outboard Correctly

Follow the engine manufacturer’s flushing procedure for your particular outboard.

Don’t assume every outboard uses the same flushing method.

The manufacturer’s procedure takes priority over generic advice.

Rinse the Trailer

The trailer may receive more saltwater exposure than almost anything else in the rig.

Freshwater rinsing should include appropriate areas such as:

  • Frame
  • Axle
  • Springs
  • Hubs
  • Wheels
  • Brackets
  • Winch
  • Coupler

Saltwater trailer care is part of boat care.

Future Resource: Aluminum Boat Care After Saltwater Fishing →

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Cleaning Products to Avoid

There isn’t one universal list of chemicals that applies to every aluminum boat because boats can contain many different surfaces and coatings.

The better rule is:

Don’t use a chemical unless you know it’s compatible with the material you’re cleaning.

Be particularly cautious with:

  • Strong acids
  • Strong alkaline cleaners
  • Aggressive solvents
  • Abrasive compounds
  • Household chemicals not intended for the surface
  • Products that can attack aluminum
  • Products that can damage paint or coatings
  • Products that can damage vinyl or foam

Don’t Mix Cleaning Chemicals

Mixing household or industrial cleaning chemicals can create dangerous reactions or gases.

Use products according to their labels and never create your own chemical mixture unless the product manufacturer specifically directs it.

More Isn’t Better

If the instructions call for dilution, follow them.

Using twice as much chemical doesn’t necessarily clean twice as well.

It may simply increase the chance of damaging the surface.

Test New Products

When appropriate, test a new cleaning product in a small inconspicuous area before applying it broadly.

That’s considerably better than discovering halfway through the boat that the cleaner changes the finish.

Future Resource: Aluminum-Safe Boat Cleaning Products & Methods →

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Drying & Storage After Cleaning

Cleaning a boat and immediately sealing all the moisture inside it defeats part of the purpose.

After washing:

  • Allow water to drain
  • Open appropriate compartments
  • Remove soaked equipment
  • Dry seating when practical
  • Allow flooring to dry
  • Drain livewells and coolers
  • Ventilate the boat

Store the Boat So It Can Drain

Whenever practical, store the boat in a position that allows water to move toward appropriate drains rather than collecting inside.

Keep drainage paths clear.

If the drain plug is normally removed during storage, develop a consistent system for storing it with the boat so it’s available for the next trip.

Covers Need Ventilation

A cover can protect a boat from:

  • Rain
  • Leaves
  • Sun
  • Dirt
  • Debris

But a poorly ventilated cover can also trap moisture.

Make sure the cover is properly supported so water doesn’t pool and provide appropriate ventilation for the boat and storage conditions.

Keeping rain out while creating a damp greenhouse underneath isn’t the goal.

Future Resource: How to Store an Aluminum Fishing Boat →

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How Often Should You Clean an Aluminum Boat?

There’s no universal cleaning schedule.

It depends on how and where the boat is used.

A freshwater boat that spends a quiet morning on a clean lake may need very little cleaning afterward.

A boat that comes home covered in:

  • Mud
  • Fish slime
  • Vegetation
  • Bait
  • Salt

needs more attention.

Instead of cleaning according to the calendar, clean according to the conditions.

After Every Trip

Remove anything likely to:

  • Smell
  • Stain
  • Corrode
  • Hold moisture
  • Attract pests

Periodically

Perform a more thorough cleaning that gives you an opportunity to inspect:

  • Hull
  • Flooring
  • Compartments
  • Seats
  • Livewell
  • Hardware
  • Electrical areas
  • Trailer

Cleaning and inspection work well together.

Cleaning Is Part of Maintenance

A fishing boat doesn’t have to be spotless to be well maintained.

A scratch from a dock doesn’t mean the boat is neglected.

Mud on the deck after a fishing trip means the boat probably got used.

That’s a good thing.

The problems begin when salt, water, fish residue and grime are allowed to sit long enough to damage the materials underneath them.

Clean what needs cleaning.

Rinse what needs rinsing.

Let wet areas dry.

Use products appropriate for the surfaces.

And while you’re cleaning, take a minute to actually look at the boat.

You may catch a loose fastener, developing corrosion or damaged component before it becomes something more serious.

The goal isn’t a boat that’s too clean to fish.

It’s a boat that’s maintained well enough to keep fishing.

Tin Can Boat Works

Small Boats. Serious Fishing.