How To Maintain Aluminum & Powder Coating

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Open

9 Models • 21' → 40'

Built for families who want serious offshore capability, premium comfort and the freedom to fish, cruise or entertain.

Sportsman 402 center console boat with tower, white hull, and outboard engine in side profile view

Open 402

White center console fishing boat with hard-top canopy and outboard engine shown in side profile

Open 352

Blue and white Sportsman center console boat with hard-top, tan seating, and outboard engine shown in profile view

Open 322

Sportsman 302 center console boat with hard-top and outboard engine in gray and white hull

Open 302

Sportsman center console boat with hard-top, tan seating, and Yamaha outboard engine shown from starboard side

Open 282

Light blue Sportsman center console boat with hard-top, tan seating, and Yamaha outboard engine

Open 262

Sportsman 252 center console boat with turquoise hull, hard-top, and outboard engine in profile view

Open 252

Sportsman open center console boat with hard-top, outboard engine, and tan seating in blue and white hull design

Open 232

Blue and white Sportsman center console boat with hard-top, side profile view against white background

Open 212

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Heritage

4 Models • 23' → 32'

A refined crossover lineup designed for coastal cruising, ample seating, family days and some fishing when the moment calls for it.

Turquoise and white center console boat with hard-top and outboard motor, shown in side profile

Heritage 321

Turquoise and white center console fishing boat with hard-top, Yamaha engine, and tan seating viewed from the side

Heritage 261

Blue and white Sportsman center console boat with hard-top and outboard engine shown in profile view

Heritage 251

Sportsman Heritage 231 center console boat with hard-top, outboard engine, and tan seating in light blue and white

Heritage 231

Series

Masters

6 Models • 22' → 28'

Shallow-water performance, fishing-focused layouts and everyday comfort built for family life and fishing.

Side profile of a blue and white center console boat with hard-top and outboard engine

Masters 287

Blue and white Sportsman bay boat with Yamaha outboard engine and T-top against white background

Masters 267

Blue and white Sportsman center console fishing boat with Yamaha outboard motor and T-top shade structure

Masters 267OE

SportCraft Masters 247 bay boat with hard-top, Yamaha outboard engine, and tan seating viewed from the side

Masters 247

Sportsman center console bay boat with hard-top, Yamaha outboard engine, and tan seating viewed from the side

Masters 247OE

Sportsman 227 bay boat in turquoise and white with T-top, center console helm, and outboard motor in side profile view

Masters 227

 
Blog > How To Maintain Aluminum & Powder Coating

Proper maintenance on aluminum and powder coated parts will ensure longevity.

April 15, 2019
Cover image for the post How To Maintain Aluminum & Powder Coating
  • Always wash metalwork with soap and water after every trip and dry it to prevent salt spots and corrosion.
  • Use a soft cloth with a mild detergent rather than rinsing alone, which will not remove salt from metalwork.
  • Apply aluminum protectant or wax once or twice a year to seal pores and protect against staining and contamination.

The Basics

Rule #1, wash the metalwork down completely with soap and fresh water after every trip, finish up by wiping dry.

The Tips

Wash the metalwork with a soft material cloth and a mild detergent to remove all salt particles from the surface. Just rinsing with water will not remove salt from metalwork so make sure you are using soap. Salt particles and moisture are the main causes of white spots, pitting and corrosion. One key thing to note is to never let the soap dry to the metalwork, this causes staining and while not impossible to remove, it just adds more work to the washes.

After the washing and drying is complete, make sure to apply an aluminum protectant/wax, once to twice a year. This will fill the pores and seal against the environment. The treated surfaces will reject future staining and contamination from water, salt spray, UV sunlight, pollution, industrial fallout, marine life, and mineral buildup.

This preventive maintenance is necessary to the life of the metals on your boat. Proper owner maintenance is required to reduce deterioration. Most metalwork finish failure is due to lack of maintenance. If you keep this routine on your boat, you should have long lasting metalwork and great looking powder coating for years to come.

If you have additional questions that you would like answered, don't hesitate to ask your local dealer or drop us a message.

Image of a brush with soap cleaning a t-top frame.