What's best for cleaning upholstrey and fiberglass?

[skoboten]

My boat sits on a trailer at a storage facility. I may take it out 2 or 3 times this season. It needs to be cleaned, but I refuse to spend time cleaning it before and after taking it out. I'm sure a marina would point out a $30 jar of this or that, but what can I use on the upholstrey and fiberglass to clean it up a bit before folks arrive?

Also, I spent a small fortune on a "custom" boat cover that claimed water would not pool. Well, it did and stretched out the fabric. I don't have an afternoon to devote to jerry-rigging some contraption to keep water from pooling in the open bow area or stern area. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

 

[G1K]

Re: What's best for cleaning upholstrey and fiberglass?

spray nine. works great!

R

 

[AguaSki]

Re: What's best for cleaning upholstrey and fiberglass?

The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser works really well, and it is cheap compared to most most options that will be offered at a marine store. My wife swears by the magic eraser for household cleaning, and I find it to be equally effective on the boat.

I have also spent a bunch of money on quality boat covers, but the AZ sun destroys a cover with a 6 year warranty in less than 2 years. I finally gave up on the boat cover thing and started using the heavy gray tarps sold at Harbor Freight. A tarp will also last about 2 years, but it only costs me $35. After a while you learn how to fold the tarp to fit your boat, and you end up with a fit almost is as good as a boat cover. Tarps don't offer much ventilation, so find a way to get air circulating under the tarp, and out the boat. A tarp will not give you the fabric stretching problem you mentioned. Pooling water will stay there until it evaporates, or the tarp tears. I still recommend finding a way to keep the water from pooling, but a tarp will give you a more water proof option.

 

[marine4003]

Re: What's best for cleaning upholstrey and fiberglass?

The problem with most heavy duty cleaners is there ability to strip away what protects the surface from the elements, first off,if you take care of your stuff..it'll last alot longer,therefore eliminating the need for "deep cleans" whenever you use the boat. Start off with cleaning the upholstery with Starbrite's VINYL SHAMPOO. this will bring back the color. clean the fiberglass with any good soap,along with elbow grease,aluminum parts with aluminum polish/cleaner. when everything is clean & shiny...apply a good 2 coats of MARINE wax to all fiberglass surfaces(Collinite,available on e-bay) on the upholstery use a protectant such as 303 Aerospace protectant.dump some Simply Green in the bilge..scrub,scrub. When your finished you have a clean,shiny..happy boat, that will require a minimum of maintainance to upkeep,not to mention higher resale.It amazes me how some folks will be meticulous about there homes & cars but neglect a boat.

 

[Sandjob]

Re: What's best for cleaning upholstrey and fiberglass?

Toilet bowl cleaner. Same active ingrediant as ON/Off Hull cleaner. This will acid wash the gelcoat and remove all rust stains. Use a brush and let boat soak about 5-10 minuts and rinse off. $2 a bottle. Everyone I know here in Florida uses it. It will not cut or strip your wax. Orange cleaner(patio furniture) in a spray bottle works great on vinyl. Spray on and wipe off. Removes dirt and grease at the same time. Greases lightingworks well on carpet stains but don't spray it on gelcoat or it will strip the wax.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: What's best for cleaning upholstrey and fiberglass?

.

I have also spent a bunch of money on quality boat covers, but the AZ sun destroys a cover with a 6 year warranty in less than 2 years. I finally gave up on the boat cover thing and started using the heavy gray tarps sold at Harbor Freight. A tarp will also last about 2 years, but it only costs me $35. After a while you learn how to fold the tarp to fit your boat, and you end up with a fit almost is as good as a boat cover. Tarps don't offer much ventilation, so find a way to get air circulating under the tarp, and out the boat. A tarp will not give you the fabric stretching problem you mentioned. Pooling water will stay there until it evaporates, or the tarp tears. I still recommend finding a way to keep the water from pooling, but a tarp will give you a more water proof option.[/QUOTE]

i made a 18ft long saw horse out of 2x4s with carpet in the feet to set on top of the Lonestar( legs were diffrent hieghts)with a tarp-or 2 small ones- and it worked great .

 

[orion25]

Re: What's best for cleaning upholstrey and fiberglass?

The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser works really well, and it is cheap compared to most most options that will be offered at a marine store. My wife swears by the magic eraser for household cleaning, and I find it to be equally effective on the boat.

Agreed, I use the eraser to remove those annoying "dock scars" and it works very well.

 

[rjlipscomb]

Re: What's best for cleaning upholstrey and fiberglass?

I had the same problem here in Vegas with the boat cover. To support the cover and provide proper drainage, I ran a small line from the bow cleats diagonally to the stern cleats over the windshield. Worked well for me. My expensive blue cover was grey after a year.

 

[sbbamafan]

Re: What's best for cleaning upholstrey and fiberglass?

I use soft scrub on almost everything on my boat. The guy that redid my upholstery told me to. Been using it for about 7 years. Great at removing spots. Just make sure you rinse it off real good. IT is good on the gelcoat too - it acts almost like a poishing compound when you use a little bit on a real wet sponge. Wax after.

My interior is solid white. Looks good and stays cool. I had some stains that I could not remove. I went to the local auto place with one of my original (almost 20 year old) cushions. I asked them if they would let me try a few drops of each of their cleaners until I found one that worked and they did. To make a long story short I tried about 8 of them with mediocre results. Then they guy asked me if I was willing to try anything and i said we could on the back side of the cushion. We tried Bleche White (for cleaning tires/whitewalls). It was amazing! It turned the original like new color that I have not seen since I have owned the boat. I bought it and recleaned EVERYTHING. IT is absolutely amazing. Again - just have to make sure it is well rinsed. Coated with 303 and done! Boat has NOT looked this good since I purchased it in 2000.

 

[jkust]

Re: What's best for cleaning upholstrey and fiberglass?

Like someone said above Magic Eraser works well but just rub lightly. It can take the protective uv protection off the cushions if you really rub hard on the same spot. The Macguiers Vinyl and Rubber Cleaner works as a general cleaner on the cushions (like the 303) as well in addition to the ME. I learned late last season that dish soap is bad for fiberbglass and started using marine soap for washing. I think the best thing I use to clean though is a chamois. You could get by in a pinch with just water and a chamois. Walmart sells them and a chamois spounge in the automotive aisle. These cut the cleaning time way down for me. I also keep a small hand broom and dust pan in the ski storage beween major cleanings for the floors since I don't use my carpet.

 

[hawk miller]

Re: What's best for cleaning upholstrey and fiberglass?

Krazy Kleen great stuff!