Cleaning Products

[Black Pulse]

Can anyone share any insight on cleaning products you find particularly good for cleaning the interior/exterior of 'Mate's? My particular boat needs some surface scratches removed (just a couple from rubber siding along docks) and my seats are a bit dirty due to spider poop from our boathouse....my boat is black so I dont want to use anything abrasive, I was thinking of using a little nail polish remover for the scratches....and the seats need a firm scrubbing and 'fantastic' doesnt seem to be up to the job, any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you all,

Black Pulse

[Black Pulse]

Can anyone share any insight on cleaning products you find particularly good for cleaning the interior/exterior of 'Mate's? My particular boat needs some surface scratches removed (just a couple from rubber siding along docks) and my seats are a bit dirty due to spider poop from our boathouse....my boat is black so I dont want to use anything abrasive, I was thinking of using a little nail polish remover for the scratches....and the seats need a firm scrubbing and 'fantastic' doesnt seem to be up to the job, any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you all,

Black Pulse

[Chris E]

You're close with the nail polish remover. Acetone (which is in nail polish remover) will remove most rub type transfers. Toluol is another good rub remover. Depending on whether or not the it's a rub or a scratch you may need a good rubbing compound - 3M makes some great products.

For the seats, i had really good luck with starbrites vinyl shampoo and a citrus base cleaner mixed together - seats came out amazing. You should be careful with any type of acidic based cleaner as it will eat the stitching. You can get the starbrite stuff at most marinas or they can order it for you.

[happy]

The spiders in the marina i keep my egg harbor at are a real pain.. I had to resort to bleach to get the stains out.. Once the seats were clean and dry I applied camp dry.. made by kiwi.. its a heavy duty water repellent.. it does a good job of protecting the seats from getting stained..

[Ckmate229]

Lots of good wax to on the top deck helps out alot against animals droppings.Hey Happy , what's happen ?

[happy]

hey how ya doing... my lil mate is still in the paint shop.. as of last week they hadn't started on her.. i don't expect them to begin till after the new year. other than that.. << still twisting wrenches six days a week..

[FASTROG]

Black Pulse,
I like fantastik for everyday cleanup and it is inexpensive without supposedly harming the upholstery. However after years of detailing and buffing out boats I have come to love the Meguiars line of products and they have an awesome vinyl cleaner and a cleaner and conditioner. They have a professional series that comes in a tan and dark red bottle or the marine products in a blue bottle. Pretty sure much of there product is the same just in defferent bottles. Try their heavy duty vinyl cleaner with a soft brush on harsh spots and follow with their Vinyl & Rubber Cleaner & Conditioner #40. The professional grade products are numbered. Use this (#40)for cleanup on a regular basis and it will protect and condition without cracking like Armor All. Also leaves a nice dark rich sheen without being greasy or too slippery. This same stuff comes in blue marine product bottle also. They also have awesome products for the hull!! Just a thought, Fast Rog

[disturbed]

You can give me a shout through e-mail. I have designed a new product that is named after my boat exterior resteration business. Its called Finest Touch boat glaze. It is not a wax based product which takes away the chances of oxidation. It is silicone based and does a really good job. You can give it a try.

checkmate242@aol.com

19.95 per 16oz bottle, does a 25 ft boat about 10 times, which means you got a 5 yr supply...

[Chris E]

I've been in the boat bus. for entierely to long, and i have avoided boat cleaning like the plague.

BUT.....

My dad just spend a small fortune having his Sea Ray compounded and buffed. So, what is the best product for maintaining the finish now that it looks brand new?

[disturbed]

Finest touch boat glaze is the best. I designed it for exactly what you want. Once the boats finish has been restored my product will keep it looking that way. it wont oxidize because there is no wax in it. Give me a shout and ill set you up with a bottle.

[jmahler]

disturbedisback:

Can you send me some info on this product that you have? jmahler22@aol.com. Interested in the product. Do you wax the boat and then put the glaze over it?

[Black Pulse]

thanks for the responses everyone.

I also want to find a decent product that can take spider poop off the seats!! I am now having a company, AMCOTT, to spray the boathouse each spring to keep the spiders away, but they have done some damage already to my seats.

I have tried Fantastic and it helps a bit, but some of it is really caked on...I was thinking spray 9, but it has bleach, so I have to be careful...maybe just some really hot water and a rag, I dont know....anyone else experience this? My real problem is the spider poop on the vinyl on the sides as you go to the bow....

[Mark]

Fantastic is a bad choice for vinyl. It is too caustic to use on a regular basis. I use Iosso Mold and Mildew Remover. You mix it with water (something like Oxyclean, who knows maybe its the same thing) and it does an amazing job and will not harm your vinyl. I've been using it for years and my interior still looks brand new. On really tough stains I'll spray on some Vinyl Top cleaner from an automotive store as well and the 2 together seem to do an even better job