STACER boat - The Hull; Cleaning Unpainted Boats; Cleaning Painted Boats; Washing

Should oxidization affect the paint work some
maintenance will need to be carried out to retain the
appearance of your vessel:
• Sandtheaffectedarearemovingthebubbled
paint and any signs of oxidisation. Feather in the
edges of the remaining paint work.
• Cleantheareaofallcontaminationusinga
prep sol.
• Maskofftheareasnotbeingrepaired.
• Applyasuitableetchprimertothesandedarea
and allow to dry.
• Applythetopcoattotheareatoberepairedand
allow to dry.
• Afterallowingthepainttodry’bufftheareato
blend in the repair.
• Adviceandmaterialsforthistypeofmaintenance
can be obtained from your local dealer.
In unpainted boats most customers do not realise
this reaction is occurring because there is no paint
to bubble and flake. The reaction is shown by the
normal dull appearance unpainted boats develop
over time.
WARRANTY POLICY
Paint is warranted against defective paint or
application, NOT against the normal effect of
oxidisation around unsealed edges and fittings.
Oxidisation is normal for aluminium boats and is
only cosmetic if not caused by a dissimilar metal.
Salt and moisture reacting with the aluminium will
not affect the boat structurally.
Never use the following to clean your boat:
• Petrol
• Benzine
• Carbontetrachloride
• Acetone
• Paintthinner
• Turpentine
• Lacquerthinner
• Nailpolishremover
• Oranyproductscontainingtheseorsimilaritems.
The Hull
Marine aluminium does not need to be painted for
protection from the elements, unless the boat is
moored permanently for long periods. It is already
highly resistant to corrosion and will not deteriorate
if simple precautions are taken.
Always wash the boat off with fresh water after
removing it from the water. This alleviates corrosion-
causing surface oils and dirt.
Cleaning Unpainted Boats
The shiny finish on unpainted boats will normally
develop a surface oxidation film over time. This
film is usually dull in colour and will actually protect
the metal beneath indefinitely with nothing more
than an occasional wash. However, the bright
aluminium finish can be restored by following this
recommended procedure:
• Removeallsurfacedirtandoils.NoteSome
washing detergents are highly alkaline or acidic.
These will remove the protective surface oxidation
film and must not be used.
• Rinsewithplentyoffreshwateranddrytheboat
with a clean, damp chamois.
• Polishthehullsurfacewithanabrasivecompound
or automotive aluminium wheel cleaner. Follow the
directions provided in the polish manufacturer’s
instructions.
• Beawaretheoxidewillreturn,thisisanatural
aluminium reaction to outdoor elements.
WARNING
Cleaning products can be dangerous. Some are
poisonous, others can ignite or react with a hot
part of the vessel, e.g. outboard motor. Some are
dangerous if the fumes are inhaled in an enclosed
space. When using anything to clean your boat,
be sure to read and follow the manufacturers
instructions.
CAUTION
When washing the windscreen use only fresh water.
CAUTION
Only use paints recommended by paint experts as
safe and suitable for use on aluminium boats.
Cleaning Painted Boats
The following soiling left on your boat may cause
corrosion, discolouration and stains - wash them off
as soon as possible:
• Seawater
• Anti-freezefromroadtravel.
• Sootanddust,ironpowderfromfactories,
chemical substances such as acids, alkalis, cola
tar etc.
• Birddroppings,insectcarcasses,driedoldbait,
sap, fertilizers etc.
Washing
Chemicals contained in the dirt and dust picked
up from the road and prolonged exposure to dried
salts from seawater, can damage the paint coating
and aluminium of your boat. Frequent washing with
fresh water is the best way to protect the boat from
this damage. Ensure the bung/s are removed and
increase the height of the jockey wheel (leave boat
permanently tilted) on the trailer to allow residue
water drain after use.
After each use spray with fresh water to remove the
salt and dust. Next, using ample fresh water and a
sponge or soft car washing brush, wash the boat from
top to bottom.
Rinse thoroughly and wipe dry with a chamois or soft
clean cloth. After washing carefully clean and dry
joined panels around fittings etc. where moisture and
salt is likely to remain. After washing allow the hull to
dry thoroughly before storing undercover. The vessel
should be left outside to dry for at least 3 days to
insure all moisture in the vessel and carpet is dry.
Polishing
The boat should only be polished if the paintwork
has become stained or lost its lustre. Polishing does
remove some of the paint’s film thickness.
Damaged Paint
Small cracks and scratches in the paint coating
should be touched up as soon as possible with the
touch-up paint supplied with your boat. Check the
boat regularly for damage from oxidisation, flying
stones, bait knives, anchors and chains etc.
Special Care for Moored Boats
If permanently moored in salt or fresh water, your
boat will collect marine growth on the bottom. This
will detract from the boat’s beauty and greatly
affect its performance. There are two methods of
preventing this:
Periodically haul the boat out of the water and scrub
the bottom with a bristle brush and water.
It is recommended to paint the hull below the
waterline with a good grade of antifouling paint if
permanently moored.
NEVER use red lead or red oxide primers.
NEVER use mercury, arsenic or copper-based bottom
paints, since these may cause electrolysis on some
of your boat’s metal parts.
When the boat is out of the water, frequently check
all metal parts for stray current erosion. Stray
current erosion, or electrolysis, can be prevented
in several ways. The best way is to fit isolator
switches, and turn it off when the vessel is not
in use, this will disconnect the battery from the
vessel’s electrical systems.
CAUTION
Do not use petrol or paint thinners to remove
road tar or other contamination from the painted
surface.
CAUTION
Never use any form of acids or alkalis to remove
contamination or to wash the boat. Besides being
harmful to the paint film, it can do great damage
to the boat’s structure.
18 Owner’s Manual 19