Cleaning suggestions

[Mingle]

Hi everybody

Well it looks like I've found my boat. I've made an offer which has been accepted and, after a test drive this weekend, I should be a proud boat-owner. That's when the work starts I guess!

The boat is in good basic condition but it needs some elbow grease to get it looking nice. The seats are kind of grimy, the hull looks a little faded. Any recommendations for products or techniques for cleaning the boat inside and out.

Thanks
Mitch

 

[Joebklyn]

Re: Cleaning suggestions

Get 2 Mexicans and all the cleaning stuff from a good marine store and you'll be set.

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Cleaning suggestions

Welcome to iboats, Mingle. A lot of people use Meguiars three step for restoring gel coat shine. If it's real bad, you'll want an orbital polisher (not a waxer, a real one) and the various pads to save time. For the inside (just like the outside), use soap and water first. Then use a good vinyl cleaner and see what you have left. Then you can post a new thread about them!

Oh, and we're going to want to see some pics...

 

[zach103]

Re: Cleaning suggestions

Oh, and we're going to want to see some pics...

YES .. lol.. thats a must here at iboats lol.. theres alota different ways to make the gel coat shine.. search the forum.. somethings work better for others..

 

[The Great Escape II]

Re: Cleaning suggestions

For your hull "Buff Magic" it is by far the best and easiest product I have used to get a shine back. Then put a good coat of wax, like Meguires Premium Boat Wax..

You can buy it at Worst Marine

 

[Neverhome]

Re: Cleaning suggestions

Use Spray Nine and a Magic Eraser to bring the vinyl back to almost new condition. Keep the Spray Nine away from glass as it will etch it. It will also remove paint and wax.

Neverhome

 

[npd4432]

Re: Cleaning suggestions

B.O.A.T.= Break Out Another Thousand $$$$$
This is just the begining of your tour of duty as a boat owner

I have found that a product called Slimey Grimey works very well with getting the black grime off of everything.

 

[cbear34]

Re: Cleaning suggestions

I had some very chalky gelcoat and this is what I did to clean up the hull.
All steps using a 10" random orbital buffer and selected pads.
1. After washing the boat buffing with 3M Marine rubbing compound
2. 3M Finnesse-It II glazing compound
3. 2 coats of Meguiars Flagship wax
It came out great. Time will tell how it lasts. I do plan on giving it another good coat of wax 1/2 way through the season.
Good Luck with your cleaning!

 

[Mingle]

Re: Cleaning suggestions

Thanks everybody for your suggestions. I didn't realize this question was the nautical equivalent of the search for the holy grail. I spent most of last night at work reading all the posts on the subject.
I think I'm going to give the Meguiars stuff a shot. I will let you know how it turns out.
Nice pics cbear34. I'm getting a 1997 Maxum 1700 SR, same color, so hopefully my 'after' shots will look a lot like yours!

Cheers
Mitch

 

[cbear34]

Re: Cleaning suggestions

I forgot.
Welcome to iboats!!
Thanks!
Remember to use an orbital buffer. You could do it by hand but that would be an incredible amount of work. Good luck with your cleaning!
Had it out this past Memorial Day weekend and it ran great!! A big thank you to everyone here who gave me helpful advice on how to fix everything it needed!

 

[orion25]

Re: Cleaning suggestions

For the vinyl seats use some comet with bleach. Rinse the vinyl very well and then use some 303 Aerospace protectant. I use 303 on my car vinyl now. It is some great stuff.

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Cleaning suggestions

Remember to use an orbital buffer.

If you use an orbital buffer you'll never even get close, well maybe if you do it every day for a month you could. You need a polisher. An orbital buffer is a waxer. The right tool for the job will give you the results you seek...

Polisher:

Buffer:

 

[Mingle]

Re: Cleaning suggestions

Thanks again everybody for your help but now I'm a little confused over the correct tool to use. A couple of people said random orbital buffers, and I've seen that in other threads, and now bjcsc says a polisher and I don't know which way to go.

My understanding was that a random orbital buffer ensured that you didn't over-do it in one spot because of the random effect introduced by the offset spinning head. I assume a polisher spins faster than a buffer. But if a polisher just spins without 'wobbling' on its axis isn't there a danger of swirls and worse?

I'm not doubting anybody. I'm just ignorant!

Cheers
Mitch

 

[Coors]

Re: Cleaning suggestions

And now, you will have no free time, or tv time.

 

[cbear34]

Re: Cleaning suggestions

I achieved my results with a Random Orbital Buffer. If you are a professional then you can use a polisher. A polisher runs at 10 to 15,000 rpms and could cause "burning" in the finish. A random orbital buffer will not burn the finish, runs at a slower speed. The key to shining the gelcoat was using the 3m marine rubbing compound. The Finesse-It II glazing compound removes the swirls and the wax seals everything.

 

[further]

Re: Cleaning suggestions

I know its been a while, but I am curious as to how your hull cleaning held up cbear34? I have a very similar boat (same color -1988) Looks like you had real nice results.
Thanks

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Cleaning suggestions

Since the original poster's last post was over a year ago I doubt you'll get an answer.

 

[tboltmike]

Re: Cleaning suggestions

Welcome to iboats,

Like Cbear, I used the 3M compound and Finessit, but I used the 3M Scotchguard was. I have rewaxed one in 1.5 years and still beads and has gloss.

This was a trial patch with hand rubbing during the evaluation phase of my restore. This is a 35 year old hull that had been negelected for a long time.

Even the hand application went pretty quick.

The rest of the hull was done with a random orbit buffer and it did well.