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Cleaning
Issy24	#1  Posted on 11/15/09 - 6:40 AM
Member Posts: 8 Comments: 0 Joined: 11/15/09	I bought a 21ft Whaler and the inside looks like the guy never cleaned it before. It is really dirty filled with dirt. I was wondering what cleaners would be best to use in order to get rid of the dirt and bring back the nice white of the hull. T
MW	#2  Posted on 11/15/09 - 1:36 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 1827 Comments: 10 Joined: 01/08/06	I would arm myself with a bucket, scrub brushes, sponges. I would first make up a very strong solution of 1 cup of 100% Purex Liquid laundry detergent, and about 1/8 cup of water. (use old "Rag strips" and soak them in the solution). I would clean the outboard motor well area 1st, soap it up well with solution, then hose it off. It has "Excellent" de-greasing properties, then throw that rag and bucket of sud's out cause, there is grease in it now. Make up another bucket of solution (less concentrated), and scrub the boat and hose it off. That will give it a good "general" cleaning and you can work on "Trouble" spot's from there with other cleaning products. It's a good start, hope that helped... Matt
Finnegan	#3  Posted on 11/15/09 - 5:01 PM
Member Posts: 1926 Comments: 16 Joined: 05/02/08	Not long ago I bought a Whaler that had been stored in a construction garage, unused for 30 years. It was filthy, but underneath the dirt it was a gem. I got out my scrub brush and rags, plus 6 standard products that I use for boat cleaning, and between all of them, the boat shined after a weekend of work with the hose. 1. Super Clean. Comes in a purple spray bottle and really cuts dirt and grease. The stuff is amazing. Just don't use it on paint or varnish. 2. Fantastic/409; Same as above, but when something not as powerful will do the job. 3. Starbrite's Instant Hull Cleaner. Oxalic acid based cleaner to remove yellow hull stains. Keep off of galvanizing. 4. Starbirte's Non-Skid Deck Cleaner. As stated, but also cleans Whaler tan pleat uphostery like magic. 5. LimeAway - for deposits and film on SS and chromed fittings. This also removes water stains on outboard engines. 6. Mineral Spirits (ordinary paint thinner) For heavy grease/oil deposits. Use only liquid cleaners - no cleanser, no powders, Soft Scrub, Bar Keepers Friend etc. All of these have abrasives in them, and will take the gloss off your gelcoat. Don't use anything you wouldn't use on your Clearcoat auto finish. Also, don't use anything containing bleach. It ruins gelcoat, very gradually, especially the non-skid areas.
Issy24	#4  Posted on 11/15/09 - 5:33 PM
Member Posts: 8 Comments: 0 Joined: 11/15/09	OK, thank you for your suggestions I will try those techniques come spring time.
John Houlihan	#5  Posted on 11/15/09 - 5:44 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 22 Comments: 0 Joined: 11/01/09	Amen to Finnegan - no bleach. JTH
modenacart	#6  Posted on 11/16/09 - 1:31 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 741 Comments: 4 Joined: 02/28/09	I personally would not use anything with ammonia in it or use dish detergent on the engine. They that give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty or safety. --Benjamin Franklin
reeltime	#7  Posted on 11/29/09 - 6:22 AM
Member Posts: 10 Comments: 1 Joined: 11/29/09	I'm glad I read this. I was about to break out straight bleach!! It gets the mildew off of the white rubber trim around seat base, console base, etc. What can I ues on mildew that won't hurt gelcoat??
mstahl1171	#8  Posted on 11/29/09 - 6:47 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 54 Comments: 0 Joined: 10/10/09	I had great luck with the following product: http://properboatcare.com/bowtostmima.html Works great on mildew and claims to be safe for gelcoats. Mark 1965 13' Sport ...1962 Evinrude 40hp
JohnnyCW	#9  Posted on 11/29/09 - 7:30 AM
Member Posts: 684 Comments: 0 Joined: 08/16/09	Will vinegar damage the gelcoat? It works on mildew.
reeltime	#10  Posted on 11/29/09 - 8:58 AM
Member Posts: 10 Comments: 1 Joined: 11/29/09	Will try both, and keep excess off of gelcoat... 1998 Dauntless 13, 50hp Mercury.
alienhelper	#11  Posted on 11/29/09 - 6:00 PM
Member Posts: 22 Comments: 0 Joined: 05/30/09	try Magic Erasers i believe made by Mr. Clean. The will remove all dirt, stray marks, etc. I use erasers with Purple Power or other degreaser type cleaners with good results. I have not noticed any scratch marks to the gel coat even under a glass . . . .