What do you use for spring cleanup and detailing?

[SeaNile]

Here in the NE it is almost time to start getting the boats ready for the water. I was curious what product you use and how do you attack the cleaning for the boats that have been sitting outside and need a good cleaning? With my boat being painted with Awlgrip recently the cleanup is pretty easy. I usually start with a gentle soap and then address the individual black streaks as needed. Woody's Wax gets applied to all metal surfaces and then Awlcare wax goes on the entire painted surfaces, interior and exterior.

How do you go about the spring cleaning?

--JK

[cobraarvey]

I'm completely covered with a Fisher Canvas, and sitting on the lift, so clean-up is not as involved as if I was exposed to the elements. But once the cover is removed:

-wash with Orpine
-non-skid cleaned with Mary Kate Cleaning Detail
-combing pads/leaning post cleaned with Meguiars vinyl cleaner if necessary
-entire hull, smooth topsides, T-Top, motors and cowls
gets an application of Collonite #920 Boat cleaner
-stainless (including props), gets Dupont #2 cleaner/polish
-entire hull, smooth topsides, T-Top, motors and cowls
gets an application of Collonite Fleetwax
-Woody Wax applied to the non-skid
-Aluma-guard applied to the T-Top frame and grab rails
-303 Applied to the coaming pads/lean post vinyl
-Curtains get Plexus

Sit back and admire while drinking a cold one.

Cover from T-Topcovers goes on when I leave to keep it looking great

[tilewave]

clean boat with whatever soap i have . application of a cleaner wax / midgrade. 2-3 coats collonite fleetwaxwax. woody or alumaguard all metal. vaseline buttons , snaps,zippers.
a topline plastic glass cleaner. ( forget name) use fabric cleaner on interior cushions, armorall all pleather. and if she dont do a good job, i make her do it again !

[tompass]

A professional service. Easier but certainly a lot more expensive. Would certainly consider doing myself but do not spend enough time in SC and would rather boat than clean when I am there.

[Jdizzle]

-start by pulling EVERYTHING out of the boat lines,fender,flares then...I hand wash the whole boat every nook&cranny, even unsnap the floor carpet cabin and scrub the floor and clean the bilge.
-nylon bursh,SoftScrub w/bleach on stains on my vinyl seats then I spray/wipe vinyl protector on it.
-Chrome polish everything rails, T-top, rodholders, hinges, anything metal
-woody-wax the non skid decks
-wash the curtins then put that curtin cleaner/protect on it
-3M wax every every smooth fiberglass surface with a buffer

The best advice I could give to someone is spend a whole day and pull everthing off the boat and just soap and srub every corner!! then the whole boat is spotless it give you a base to do all you wax,polish on a clean surface. It will take me 20-30hrs of just cleaning the beginning of the year but thats why my 2004 boat looks like a 2008 and it has 500+ hours on it. Spend the time in the season to clean it and you will be rewaRDED IN THE END WHEN YOU GO TO SELL IT AND IT LOOKS BRAND NEW.

[WASQUE]

a mexican

[jaybyrd83ecu]

I never quit using it.... Hose it down when I come in to get the old bait and blood off the decks and then flush the motor.

[FASTFJR]

SeaNile
Where are you keeping the boat this season?

[boatguy711]

Any thoughts on what kind of polisher to use? I mean the actual machine? Porter cable, Makita?

[Ethan]

It's about the Mexican

[DrJim]

WASQUE - 3/14/2008 8:01 AMa mexican

[Sleeper]

boatguy711 - 3/14/2008 8:35 PM

Any thoughts on what kind of polisher to use? I mean the actual machine? Porter cable, Makita?

The Porter Cable 7424 is a good one and keeps an unskilled user out of trouble. For heavy cutting it is the wrong machine but for polishing and light work it is a good one for about $100.

[SeaNile]

FASTFJR - 3/14/2008 9:09 AM

SeaNile
Where are you keeping the boat this season?

Going back to Summit North Marina on the C&D. It's such an easy drive from home we decided to stay there again. The detailing and spring cleaning starts Friday and then splash by mid April.

--JK