With the first warm days you want to be on the water, but after winter a boat is rarely ready. Sliding windows are stiff, the vinyl has gone grey, chrome shows rust spots and the engine is reluctant to start after standing. Better to spend one weekend preparing than spoil a long-planned trip with family or friends.
Here is a basic routine that makes the boat look smart again and protects fittings from moisture for the whole season.
What you will need
Important: Do not apply WD-40 to the windscreen, clear plastic windows, or decks and seats people walk or sit on: surfaces become slippery and glass will smear. On new or tinted vinyl, test on a hidden area first.
Step 1
Lubricate sliding window tracks
If your boat has sliding windows or doors, dust, sand and dried salt build up in the tracks over winter. Spray WD-40 Smart Straw through the thin straw straight into the channel, slide the pane back and forth a few times and wipe away the dirt that comes out. Cover the glass with a cloth to catch overspray.
Step 2
Refresh exterior vinyl
Wash vinyl trim, covers and cushions with mild shampoo first and let them dry. Then put a little WD-40 Multi-Use onto a dry cloth, not onto the surface, and wipe the vinyl: grey film and fender marks lift and the material looks fresher. Finish by buffing dry with clean microfibre.
Step 3
Protect metal fittings
Guardrails, rails, cleats, hinges and hatch locks are the first to rust in damp air. Spray WD-40 Trigger Pro and spread it thinly: the film displaces moisture and holds back corrosion. Treat stiff hinges and locks through the straw of WD-40 Smart Straw and work them open and shut a few times.
Step 4
Service the outboard
Inspect the engine before the season starts, while the boat is still out of use. Remove the cowling and check hoses, wiring and linkages. Spray WD-40 Multi-Use onto the metal parts under the cowling and the throttle and gear linkages, leave the cowling off for a few minutes, wipe away the excess with a dry cloth and refit it.
WD-40 displaces moisture, so it is especially useful on an engine that has stood on a damp shore. Service plugs, fuel and cooling systems according to the maker's manual.
Step 5
Check the electrics
Switch off the main isolator. Inspect battery terminals and the connectors for navigation lights, pumps and instruments. Treat corroded contacts with WD-40 Specialist Contact Cleaner, which removes dirt and moisture and evaporates quickly without leaving a film. Once dry, switch on and test all equipment.
Tip: Rinse insects and spray off the windscreen with fresh water and a soft sponge straight after each trip: dried-on marks are much harder to shift, and harsh cleaners and abrasives scratch plastic screens.
What next
During the season, rinse the boat with fresh water after every saltwater trip and repeat the treatment of metal and hinges every few weeks. Then autumn lay-up will take half the time.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
More guides in «How to use».