Metal Cleaners, Polish & Waxes

Marine Metal Cleaners, Polish, and Waxes Resources and Information

PartsVu offers a wide selection of metal cleaners, polish, and waxes from leading manufacturers, Toon-Brite, CRC, Flitz, Star-Brite, 3M, MDR, Meguiars, and more. Use these products to keep your boat’s metal components and accents shining and free of corrosion and rust.

Looking for more boating and marine products? Check out our complete selection of Products and Accessories or Cleaning and Care products. Or, browse our broader selection of Polishes and Waxes.

Metal Cleaners, Polish, and Waxes FAQs

What are the best marine metal polishes?

Nevr-Dull Magic Wadding Polish – This easy to use product is excellent for cleaning and polishing all metals. It removes dirt, rust, and tar, while not scratching delicate surfaces. The polishing compound is soaked into what resembles a big ball of cotton.

For extended storage, some DIYers leave the polish on the metal acting as a barrier to the elements until the boat is ready for use. The polish is then removed using a soft cloth wiping metal surfaces clean.

Flitz Polish – Very popular for cleaning and polishing all types of metals, this product comes in a potent liquid formula. Flitz Polish works powerfully against rust, tarnish, water stains, grease, and tar.

Collinite Metal Wax – This top-of-the-line marine wax cleans and shines all metals while leaving behind a durable wax coating that further protects from the harsh and corrosive elements found in the marine environment.

How can boaters best clean and protect metal surfaces like aluminum or stainless steel?

First, identify which type of stain is on the metal surface, whether a rust stain, mineral deposit, water deposit, etc. With the stain identified, you can select the best product.

After removing the stain, follow with the right protective product for the metal surface. For instance, Star Brite has a full line of aluminum products, including but not limited to our Aluminum Cleaner & Restorer, Ultimate Aluminum Polish, and others.

Star-Brite also has a Chrome & Stainless-Steel Polish designed for those surfaces. As I mentioned earlier, to prevent rusting, regularly polish your boat. Of course, the rust would still manifest eventually, but regular polishing will delay rust and extend the life of your boat.

What are the different types of marine rust and corrosion?

Rust is the name given to iron oxide (Fe²O³), a typically reddish-brown oxide formed by the reaction of oxygen and iron in the catalytic presence of air moisture, or water. Rust occurs in ferrous metals, with iron as part of its composition.

For most boats, iron-containing (ferrous) metals are used for their strength and relative lightweight. However, the proximity to water and humidity eventually corrodes these materials for boats and trailers over time, requiring preventative measures and replacement to keep them seaworthy.

Corrosion, on the other hand, refers to the process of metals being chemically destroyed or worn down by chemical reactions. Rust is a type of corrosion, but it is not the only type of corrosion that affects boats and boat trailers.

Several types of corrosion commonly occur in boats and trailers. As you examine your boat for signs of corrosion, try to identify which kind of corrosion is happening to help you troubleshoot where it’s coming from and how to prevent it.

Atmospheric Corrosion

When metal is exposed to the air that contains moisture and salt

Immersion Corrosion

Metal in water accelerates the corrosion process – especially in warm saltwater.

Galvanic Corrosion

This type of corrosion occurs when dissimilar metals are immersed in a conductive solution (water, saltwater) and are electrically connected. The metal that is more resistant to corrosion (the noble metal) “steals” mass from the other metals (less noble). Mass transfer occurs in the electrolyte (water) – which explains the purpose of sacrificial anodes in outboard and sterndrive motors.

Pitting Corrosion

Pitting corrosion is a localized form where tiny holes and cavities are produced in metals. Because these holes start small when they first occur, this corrosion can be difficult to detect on boats and trailers.

Poultice Corrosion

Poultice corrosion occurs when a metal is covered by absorbent materials, dirt, and debris, trapping moisture against the unprotected metal surface. This is most commonly seen with painted aluminum with water trapped under the paint or butted up against plywood, such as an aluminum fuel tank.

Erosion Corrosion

The constant velocity of moving water gradually wears away the metal. A boat’s trim tab is most likely to experience erosion corrosion.

Stress Corrosion

Hairline cracks can form for metal fittings that have been formed through bending or metal working, eventually branching out from the main crack. As the material weakens through corrosion, these branches – resembling a tree without leaves – spread further and further until eventually breaking under load or pressure.

How do I stop marine rust and corrosion?

Rust and corrosion are progressive, often starting with small signs that are visible with a brief inspection. It’s important to inspect your boat when it is out of storage on a biweekly or monthly basis so that you can spot corrosion and address it before it spreads and eventually leads to mechanical failure.

It’s extremely important to hose down your boat and boat trailer with fresh water after every use. Hosing with fresh water helps remove salt deposits, dirt, and debris that contribute to further corrosion. Be sure to aim for hard-to-reach places and adequately dry any areas where moisture can accumulate.

In addition to washing your boat with fresh water, it’s important to use anti-corrosion products – especially if your boat has been in salt water. Products like Star brite’s Salt Off are designed to break up hard-to-remove salt deposits and other grime that has bonded to your boat’s hull and metal components. Many brands also contain special polymers that bond to the treated surface to help prevent the formation of future deposits.

It’s important to regularly seal the vulnerable spots on the boat and trailer to prevent corrosion. Popular sealants prevent water from passing through them, preventing corrosion that would otherwise react with the bare exposed metal. For many exposed metal components on your trailer, WD-40 is an appropriate sealant, whereas boat components require a more heavy-duty product suited to immersion in the water.

After thoroughly cleaning your boat, simply apply a generous amount of sealant and wipe away any excess. Be sure that the surface is completely dry and debris-free, as the sealant may not completely adhere.

Rust strips metals away from parts, so there may be some parts that need to be completely replaced instead of brushed away.

Removal of rusted parts, however, can be an issue, as the oxidation process of corrosion may have softened the surrounding metals, creating hard-to-remove bonds that require drilling the old material out. For example, a corroded bolt may require not only the removal of the bolt but also a rethreading for a snug, water-tight fitting.

How do I remove rust from my boat?

Even after taking all precautionary measures, you may still have to deal with rust on your trailer and boat’s metal components. The following are a few procedures to remove the rust.

If rust is spotted soon enough, you can actually remove marine rust with a wire brush to get the metal down to an uncorroded surface. Before starting the process, ensure that the rusted surfaces are completely dry.

Once dry, gently brush the surface with a wire brush back and forth, being careful not to strip nearby surfaces. If you have a drill, you can buy a wire brush attachment, and you can scrub the rusted parts. Most experienced DIY boaters use both the wire brush and the drill attachment, as the brush can go to rusted places where the drill can’t go, and vice versa. Always wear adequate eye, mouth, and hand protection, as tiny rusted bits can cause irritation and even tetanus, a serious disease that’s caused by the bacteria in the rust.

Once the rust is completely removed, apply an anti-rust/corrosion product before repainting any affected components.