Tips on new boat care

[derekpfeiffer]

I figured I'd ask this question before it was too late. I just bought a new boat and was wanting any suggestions on good protestants/cleaners to use on it to help keep it looking new. Like on the upholstery? I was going to use Meguiars Flagship premium Marine wax on the exterior and the trailer. What do you guys recommend on the stainless steel and the stainless steel thru hull exhaust?

Thanks for any and all suggestions,
Derek Pfeiffer
"Doogie"

[Marine Clean]

Hey Doogie,

I take care of many new boats and also maintain them throughout the years.
Here's a short list that works!

1. Stay away from the Flagship.
2. Use the Leverage Polish for the exterior/interior fiberglass, trailer and all metals including the gauges. It will look better then when you picked it up from the dealer.
3. Stay away from any harsh soaps. I maintain everything with water and a towel.
4. Use the Leverage Vinyl Cleaner & Conditioner. It will keep the colors brillant and the conditioner is not greasy, slippery or full of perfume.
5. Use the Leverage Metal Serum for exhaust tips, props or any metal cleaning.

Check this thread:
http://midwestboatparty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17306

Please don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions.

Donnie

[wwmkwood]

Without anoying any sponsors, I'm using Babe's Boat Care products with excelant results. (Use caution when searching the internet for it) The Boat Brite works great for a wipe down and detail.

OK MOSI have fun with this one

[BrettM]

Derek, Congrats on your new boat and thank you for the business! We use Mequire's Flagship vinyl conditioner in the shop as well as 303 protectant. Enjoy your new boat!

Brett
Premier Boating Center

[docjimm]

I use Mequires marine wax on my baja , purchased from Brett at PBC.

[mosi]

Without anoying any sponsors, I'm using Babe's Boat Care products with excelant results. (Use caution when searching the internet for it) The Boat Brite works great for a wipe down and detail.

OK MOSI have fun with this one



I better stick with Nu Finish Polish:oops:

When bottles labeled......
.
.
.....BABE'S Boat Bright, Seat Soap, Seat Saver, Spot Solver, Boat Bubbles and...... BOOT butter.....arrive in a plain brown wrapper via UPS.....
.
.
.
.....Mrs Mosi is not going to believe they are for the boat!!!:roll:


No Wax on.....Wack off....for Mosi[smilie=011.gif]

;)

[Baja Cruzin]

Doogie,

Nice boat!

When I got my boat last year from Brett he said he would come out and wax it for me a couple of times a year. I just let him use what ever kind of wax he
likes best. I bet he would come over and wax yours on his way to LOTO it would be right on his way.

[Somewhere In the Sun]

My only advice is to use the Meguires Quick Clean after you pull it out of the water. Makes it shine and gets rid of all the water spots.

Brett from PBC is such a great waxer! [smilie=hah] He must have lots of practice!

[wwmkwood]

thanks MOSI I needed a good laugh today.

[Crownie 11]

Hi, Derek. That's a nice looking boat, and welcome to the site! I've always used Meguiars Flagship products on our boats - from the wash, to Quick Clean, to the wax - and they all work great. I also use Nautical Ease products for removing water spots, cleaning the lower unit, mildew removal (it happens sometimes, unfortunately), and cleaning / conditioning the vinyl.

[BigDaddy]

I use Leverage polish and it works great for me. Now when I clean the boat I just use water and wipe off with a towel.

[derekpfeiffer]

Thanks for all of the suggestions guys. Why stay away from Flaggship?? I spent $24 on this little bottle and now i'm not supposed to use it???!!!! What will it hurt? Everyone in the past has told me how great meguairs products were. Thanks for the input guys.

Doogie

[Marine Clean]

Thanks for all of the suggestions guys. Why stay away from Flaggship?? I spent $24 on this little bottle and now i'm not supposed to use it???!!!! What will it hurt? Everyone in the past has told me how great meguairs products were. Thanks for the input guys.

Doogie


Please understand that I'm not starting a debate.
Read the ingredients and then tell me if you think it's safe for the longevity of fiberglass.

There's allot easier/safer way to maintain your boats guys. I've averaged over 5,000 foot of fiberglass buffing/polishing almost every month this year so far. Yes, I would like for you to use my products, but I speak from boat detailing experience with thousands under my belt that I only have to Polish once per year. Just borrow a friend's bottle, try a small spot and then only wipe the boat off with water and a towel when you pull it from the water. If you've been using MG for awhile then I would probably recommend a light buff with my OR before applying the Polish.

Donnie

Here's a few beauties I've done.;)

[mosi]

Hell....how can you drive a boat safely with the sun reflecting in your face like that.

Looks dangerous to me!!

[derekpfeiffer]

Alright so next question. I've picked out my wax and now how to apply it. I went out and bought a 24pk of high quality terry colths was gonna use one to apply it and one to wipe it?? I'm real new at the waxing thing you guys must forgive me. Just trying to prevent myself from doing something stupid.

Thanks guys,
Doogie

[BitterSweet 1]

Hope you can drive it if you have this many ?'s about how to make it look good.:)

[Marine Clean]

Alright so next question. I've picked out my wax and now how to apply it. I went out and bought a 24pk of high quality terry colths was gonna use one to apply it and one to wipe it?? I'm real new at the waxing thing you guys must forgive me. Just trying to prevent myself from doing something stupid.

Thanks guys,
Doogie


Yes to Terry Cloth by hand. You can reuse good terry cloth over and over again, but I don't recommend using fabric softner sheets when you dry them after washing. Ask away, if I don't know someone does and will help.

Donnie

[eallis]

How does the 303 compare to the leverage products? If i were to use the 303 for a few years would i need to buff and us the OR if i were to change?

[derekpfeiffer]

Heck driving it is the easy part. I just wanna make sure I don't mess up the new finish. A new boat is different from a used one, every scratch in it I know is from ME!!!!

:P
Doogie

[John P]

First of all congrats on the new boat! Right now it will be easy to keep that new look if you start waxing now so many wait for a couple of seasons and than it is a lot more work. Just keeping it waxed with some thing like 3m or Yacht Brite is a great start and using 303 on the interior will make it look great for years to come. Enjoy your new boat and maybe we will see you on the river.

[Dr. Jeff]

I've used about 6 different products on my boats over the years, and so far the Leverage has been the easiest to use, and stayed on the longest. Of course you think I'm just pimping the sponsor, but if I didn't think it worked, I just would have stayed out of the discussion. I'm sure there are as many favorite products as there are boats, but IMHO, if you take into account how easy the Leverage is to apply, how long it lasts, and how easy it makes keeping the boat clean between waxings, its my hands down favorite.

[Marine Clean]

How does the 303 compare to the leverage products? If i were to use the 303 for a few years would i need to buff and us the OR if i were to change?

Hi eallis,

My reply on this subject is from feedback I've received on numerous boating forums from guys doing their own research.

I'll start by saying that my vinyl cleaner/conditioner is winning hands down over 303 & BK, Some are using it along with the magic eraser and some are just using it by itself with a scrubber. A little bit goes a long way and you can also clean your non skid with the vinyl cleaner.

For the Fiberglass,
It all depends on your reflection. Do you have a shine, but it almost seems hazy. I go for a true reflective shine not a coating that's shiny, so my Polish isn't greasy and gives a reflection that's very deep. If I have a boat with some age on it and different products used then I usually buff first with the Oxidation Remover to start with a nice clean surface. You would be surprised at the difference even between my OR and other compounds. I would then Polish by hand and only use the Polish over the years. I put the 'How I use Leverage' instructions a few posts up, but please let me know if you have any questions.

Donnie

[BitterSweet 1]

Doogie;

I know what you mean! I never drive my wife's new car's until they get at least one ding in them. [smilie=011.gif]

[osageid]

For vinyl and those rub spots on the hull Mr Clean magic erasers are magic!!!!

Great looking boat!

[derekpfeiffer]

Hey thanks guys....thanks for all of your input...it is greatly appreciated

thanks again,
doogie

[RedBud]

Don't foget the wet wipes for easy clean up in the enterior

[laker]

Where do you buy "quality" terrycloth

[derekpfeiffer]

I bought my terry cloths from O' Reilly auto part store. A 24pk for $20. Make sure they're the microfiber ones. They worked great. I bought some of their cheaper ones but they didn't work as well these better ones of theirs worked great for waxing.

Also guys I used the meguiars flagship and am very happy with it. It applied great and I had my boat in the scummy river twice this weekend and the river scum just wiped off.

Thanks for all of your help guys,
Doogie

[Marine Clean]

Where do you buy "quality" terrycloth

I sell them, but then you can also find them in most of your local auto parts stores. Mine are a little thicker, but then I average over 300 boats per year, so I need the ones that last.

Also, I would stay away from Microfiber. The Donzi booth in Miami is a perfect example. By the end of the weekend in 06' the boats had swirls from the guys reusing the microfiber. I think I've broke them of that now. ;) Microfiber is great out of the bag, but after a few washes I would throw it in the trash. We all live and learn. [smilie=trink39]

[laker]

Ok did my boat (below rub rail) Sunday morning using the Leverage. I still have more to do. I got a good reflection can it really be this easy?? I did one side at a time but it seems difficult to see when it drys to a haze. I just waited and then wiped off. Maybe I wasnt waiting long enough. I am sure I was using enough. However if it stays on it will be a great thing. Easy to put on and I have a good relection and shine. Have a little black down by the waterline that didnt shine up as much. It has a little oxidation I guess. May have to go back with a litte OR. Now I have to do the deck. It will probably make it like a water slide.

[Marine Clean]

Hi Laker,

Thanks for the feedback! Yep, it is that easy. I've kept the haze when applying at a minimum because I don't like residue. You can definitely feel/see the difference. ;)
A little bit of the OR will take care of the Oxidation. Just sit back and enjoy it now.[smilie=trink39] Also, only water and a towel to maintain. The deck won't be as slick as you think with bare feet.

Donnie

[36Tango]

I have to admit that I am one of those guys that does not like to take the time to wash, wax, and clean any kind of vehicle. A couple of months ago, I bought the Leverage kit through the MWBP store and took it to the lake with me, expecting to get the same results as other products. This stuff was incredible! The finish was not oxidized, so I did not have to use it, but I used the polish and all of the interior cleaners and conditioners, and my old '99 looked pretty damn good. In fact, after about an hour, my wife came down and could not believe it (it is a 32 Envision). I don't know what is different about it, but it is easy, quick, and foolproof. Throw the other chit away!

[Bottom Line]

Also, I would stay away from Microfiber. The Donzi booth in Miami is a perfect example. By the end of the weekend in 06' the boats had swirls from the guys reusing the microfiber. I think I've broke them of that now. ;) Microfiber is great out of the bag, but after a few washes I would throw it in the trash.

Is microfiber that rough that is is not good for using on gelcoat? After I wash my boat, I use a chamois to dry it. After the chamois gets wet, it leaves a little moisture on the boat, so I use microfiber towels to completely finish drying the fiberglass. Should I not be using the microfiber...and switch to using terry cloth?

Also, what is the best product for cleaning the windshield on a boat?

Thanks for the input.

[Marine Clean]

Hi Bottom,

I use Terry Cloth only. I've seen microfiber create swirls and fine scratches over time.

Windshield - It all depends on the condition. If it's hazy or has allot of waterspots then use my Oxidation Remover and a non scratch pad. It will be back to new after some elbow grease.:mrgreen:

Use my Polish on the windshield. Apply it the same way you do on fiberglass. It only takes a few squirts and will leave it slick, so water will sheet offf....The clarity is outstanding as well.

Let me know if you need anything.

Donnie