Signs of spring are everywhere—warmer weather, more hours of daylight, and that tingly feeling that it just has to be time to go boating. But before you jump into line at the boat ramp, remember that your boat needs a thorough spring commissioning to ease into the season and wake up from winter. Here’s a handy checklist and some helpful products to get you started.

#1 Aluminum Pontoons

Keeping your pontoons clean and shiny is more than just a point of pride—it will improve your boat’s performance and longevity. Because pontoons sit directly on the water’s surface, they can be prone to oxidation, staining, and marine buildup.

Start with a fresh water rinse to remove dirt and water minerals. Remove oxidation (that dull, chalky layer) on the aluminum with a specifically formulated cleaner. Because standard marine soaps won’t restore the original shine of aluminum pontoons, you need a cleaner that is meant to break down oxidation without damaging the metal, such as Toon-Brite.

This easy-to-use spray-on, hose-off aluminum cleaner will remove scum, oxidation, and stains, leaving a like-new finish. Biodegradable, safe for decals and painted trailers, Toon-Brite can be applied with a garden hose or pressure sprayer, and is $25.98 for 64 ounces. When cleaning, pay special attention to weld seams and brackets where residue can build up and lead to corrosion. Use a small detailing brush or toothbrush to reach tight spaces, rinse thoroughly to remove all cleaning residue, and dry completely to eliminate trapped moisture.

After your pontoons are clean and dry, polish the pontoons for a shiny, protective coating that will resist algae formation. Iosso’s Pontoon Polish cuts through oxidation easily, removes tarnish and water spots, and can be applied by hand or with a buffing wheel. A 1-pound tub retails for $24.25. Work in small sections to avoid streaking, and buff the polish until the aluminum has a smooth, reflective finish. Polishing also enhances the protective properties of aluminum sealants, which further helps keep pontoons cleaner for longer.

#2 Exterior Surfaces

Keep your pontoon looking great on the lake by removing all the water spots on the railskin, or your pontoon’s side panels. The Water Spot Remover from Mission Outdoor works great on metal, glass, and fiberglass and gives you a lasting, streakless shine. It easily wipes on, removes caked on water spots, and retails at $20 for 32 ounces.

You can also take your boat’s finish to the next level with Boat Juice’s Protection Boat Ceramic Coating Spray, which is $24.49 for 16 ounces. The pleasantly-scented spray offers a durable, long-lasting protective coating, UV protection from fading, and a stunning, glossy finish. It’s safe to use on all finishes including gelcoat, chrome, glass, vinyl, and plastics.

#3 Engine & Fuel Systems

Give your engine the proper attention it needs before hitting the water. Follow your manufacturer’s instructions to de-winterize the engine. For outboard engines, reinstall the drain plug, check the fuel line for cracks, and inspect the propeller for damage. If needed, grease the fittings and change the lower unit oil. For inboards, reconnect hoses, inspect belts for wear, and check the cooling system. If your boat has a raw water system, flush it thoroughly before starting the engine. For all engine types, be sure to run the engine on a flush system before heading out to confirm everything is working properly.

Flush all hoses and water lines with fresh water, and inspect all hoses and fittings for cracks or loose connections. If your boat has a head system, pump out and sanitize the holding tank. Check that the bilge pump runs smoothly and that the float switch operates properly.

Inspect your battery and make sure it’s fully charged since a dead battery is one of the most common issues you can experience at the start of the season. Test all lights, pumps, and electronics, including navigation lights, bilge pumps, radios, and GPS systems. If needed, look for corrosion on terminals and clean connections with a wire brush.

Review the fuel system for leaks or damage, and make sure there’s no wear or corrosion. Replace any that show signs of deterioration. If your boat was stored with fuel, add a fresh fuel stabilizer before running the engine, such as STA-BIL’s 360 Marine Ethanol Fuel Treatment by Gold Eagle, which retails for $10.99 for 8 ounces. Perfect for all marine engines, this fuel treatment cleans the entire fuel system against corrosion, and provides a protective coating on ALL the metal parts of the fuel system and combustion chamber, even when the engine is not running. Fuel will also burn more efficiently when you use a fuel stabilizer.

#4 Flooring

Boat carpet and marine flooring is notorious for getting pretty dirty, since it’s constantly walked on with wet feet. Give the flooring an old-fashioned scrub-down with a stiff-bristle brush, soap, and water. If possible, park your trailered boat on an incline so the dirty water can drain away with gravity. Otherwise, vacuum up the remaining water with a wet vac and speed up drying with fans and a sunny afternoon.

#5 Cover & Seats

Remove your boat cover and vacuum up debris from all surfaces inside your boat. Clean your canvas boat cover with soapy water and a stiff bristle brush. Rinse thoroughly and let dry. Inspect your furniture for cracks and wear, then clean vinyl carefully. Start with warm soapy water and let dry. Avoid harsh cleaners and especially bleach, which can remove anti-microbial properties and UV protectants.

Use a marine-grade vinyl seat cleaner, such as DeckMate’s Pontoon Furniture Care Kit—the two-part solution comes with a bottle of Pontoon Seat Cleaner and a bottle of Seat Protectant for $29.99. The Seat Cleaner keeps vinyl surfaces looking new, prevents fading and cracking of seat vinyl, and restores lost color and luster. The accompanying Seat Protectant has powerful UV blockers to increase the life of your furniture, repel smudges, dust and staining, and has a matte finish with no oily and greasy residue.

#6 Helm & Electronics

A magnet for dust and fingerprints, your helm and electronics also need attention to spiffy them up for the season. Power off your electronics, mist with a gentle cleaner, and wipe clean with a microfiber cloth to remove salt, dirt, and fingerprints. Shurhold’s Serious Shine Quick Detailer is a great option as an all-in-one solution to clean, polish, and protect without leaving behind greasy residue. The aerosol spray for $19.98 is perfect for quick touch-ups on dashboards, electronics, and glass. Formulated with UV inhibitors and anti-static properties, Serious Shine not only enhances your surface with a high-gloss finish, it also repels water and helps prevent future buildup.

#7 Inspect Safety Equipment

Spring is a great time to go through what you’ve stored on board and make sure it’s adequate. Empty those storage spaces and vacuum out debris. Check life jackets for tears and make sure you have the correct sizes for your passengers. Update and refill your first aid kit, check your fire extinguisher’s expiration date and replace it if needed. Stock your boat with clean essentials that are nice to keep on hand, such as swim towels, sweatshirts, cleaning wipes, and a small tool kit.

It’s important to take the time before your first launch and make sure your boat is clean and well-maintained. This will eliminate maintenance hassles at the dock and give you a smooth start to the season. Then you’ll be ready to have fun on the water!