Cleaning the boat

[jp]

I have a couple maintenance questions:

Anybody know a great way to clean the carpet on a boat?

What is the best way to take off oxidation?

Best wax for the boat?

I know, too much time inside...........

thanks!

[Shimano4Life]

Having done fiberglass and gelcoat repair for several years, here's what I can recommend.

Oxidation can only be removed by buffing. Depending on how bad it is determines what kind of compound you should use. Heavier oxidation needs a compound with s bit more grit for bite. However, remember once you buff you still need to polish to remove the swirls. I use 3M Microbuff to buff, then 3M Finesse-It II to polish.

As far as wax goes, Meguire's Premium Flagship Wax is the best marine wax on the market. It is costly, but beats anything I have ever used. Remember this also -- no matter what kind of wax you apply, it is going to leave residue because of the temperatures this time of year. Basically, you'll have your hands full to wax the boat properly.

As far as the carpet, use Dawn and water with a good brush to clean it out. Vacuum it first, then do the scrub-down. If you have heavy stains that won't come out, try a citrus cleaner.

I'm sure you will get many different responses for your questions, but this is my 2 cents worth. Works every time.

[lroberts]

You might try Boat Saver as a wax and all-around protector....it is a good product and fairly inexpensive.

[Shimano4Life]

You might try Boat Saver as a wax and all-around protector....it is a good product and fairly inexpensive.

This stuff won't work on oxidation. Once the oxidation is removed, this is good stuff to put on after you take your boat out to wipe off scum.

[kydonky]

Use full strength denatured alcohol to remove oxidation. Have plenty of rags because they will soil fast with oxidized paint. I have done several boats by just washing them down with denatured alcohol, removes all of the oxidation and brings paint back to original shine/mirror finish. Good wax after will slow new oxidation.
The boats that I have done have all been aluminum hulls that were painted and the results were astounding, but I have not tried it on fiberglass. I would suggest you actually do a small test spot first. You may have to wash it down more than once to get it all off depending on how much it there. Remember that the waxing will also take some of it off as well so get it as clean as you can with the alcohol then wax. That paint will look like new!

[Fishin is life]

just finished restoring the finish on my buddy's older skeeter that was really oxidized....i work on cars for a living and have the stuff handy but heres what you do...i started off by sanding his boat with 1000 grit sandpaper and then worked it down to 2000 grit....then did as said above and buffed it...buffing alone won't remove all of the oxidation but sanding it will...the boat shines like a new penny now....once you get done buffing a good wax is a must....buffing opens up the pours in your gelcoat and if not sealed back down with a wax oxidation will start immediately

[kydonky]

just finished restoring the finish on my buddy's older skeeter that was really oxidized....i work on cars for a living and have the stuff handy but heres what you do...i started off by sanding his boat with 1000 grit sandpaper and then worked it down to 2000 grit....then did as said above and buffed it...buffing alone won't remove all of the oxidation but sanding it will...the boat shines like a new penny now....once you get done buffing a good wax is a must....buffing opens up the pours in your gelcoat and if not sealed back down with a wax oxidation will start immediately

Fishin is life, Was that Skeeter painted or was it the bare aluminum like a pontoon or some tracker boats? I agree the Denatured alcohol will not remove that tarnish and oxidation on bare aluminum, that has to be rubbed out. However, depending on how much oxidation is in the paint (key is how bad it is) the alcohol (a shellac thinner) may bring it back to life by itself. It really worked for me on a 1985 starcraft with the dark blue hull. Would he have any problem if he tried the wash down with alcohol first?

[Embrey]

mine is oxidized so bad theres no helping it....so i dont have to clean it...

[Fishin is life]

its a painted boat....and i agree that trying to wipe the oxidation off first would be the easy route....if it did work it would save a lot of time and work.....but if it doesnt work then buffing is the answer....you can also buff the metal boats like trackers to remove the tarnish