Ever look at your boat and think it looks a little…plain? Then
there’s a good chance you’re the type of boat owner who wouldn’t mind putting
in the effort for some DIY boat graphics. Graphics are a great way to spruce up
the look of your boat. To make the process even easier, we’ve assembled some
tips and strategies for adding graphics to your boat.
Boat Graphics Tips
Want to make your boat a little more unique? Then the DIY
approach can be the way to go. But if this is your first time trying it out,
you might want to keep a few things in mind:
- Don’t do
it all yourself. It’s tempting to use a “DIY” project as an excuse to
handle every detail—but if you can use ready-made products to help boost the
appearance of your boat, why fight it? For example, if you’re applying boat
lettering, feel free to have a print shop handle the lettering so that it looks
as good as it possibly can—then you can apply the lettering yourself. - Always
work with a clean hull. A clean, dry hull will be your best bet for applying
graphics. Take care to ensure that you meet both requirements here. You’ll find
it much easier to handle every step of the process when you’ve allowed enough
time for your boat to properly dry. - Be
careful when removing old graphics. To install your own boat graphics, you
may have to remove adhesive and boat decals. We recommend that you use Release
Adhesive & Sealant Remover while peeling slowly. This will help your
hull to look clean and smooth. And don’t forget to clean up the affected area
afterward, just to make sure there’s no more adhesive left!
With the above tips in mind, you’ll stand a far greater
chance at upgrading your graphics. But what if you want to ensure that your new
look is here to stay?
Maintaining Your New
Creation
Now that you’ve invested time and energy in making your boat
look great, what do you do to maintain it with minimal fuss? Here are a few
ideas:
- Procure
some specially-formulated graphics wax. You’re already familiar with how
important it is to wax your boat regularly and keep the hull protected from the
elements. But what about all that work you just put into your DIY boat
graphics? Will ordinary wax hold up? We recommend a hefty dose of Graphix
Wax, which features UV protectant properties to prevent fading. - Use
marine-grade cleaners. Don’t use anything corrosive or abrasive to clean
your newly-minted graphics. Instead, use marine grade
and boat-ready cleaners to ensure that your hull looks its best.
Of course, it helps to have plenty of other boat care
products in your corner. Be sure to browse all of the boat cleaning and maintenance products
here at BoatLIFE!
