Any special wash?

[SoonerJake]

What kind of soap/product are you using to wash boat with prior to the polish?

[LOTOC Mike]

A cheap way to prep your boat or car for polishing or waxing is to use dish soap. It will pretty much remove anything, including any wax that is on the boat. Don't use dish soap unless you are going to wax it afterward.

[Marine Clean]

A cheap way to prep your boat or car for polishing or waxing is to use dish soap. It will pretty much remove anything, including any wax that is on the boat. Don't use dish soap unless you are going to wax it afterward.


[smilie=trink39]

And if you're using my Polish then only use water and a towel to maintain from now on.

Also make sure the boat is completely dry before Polishing.

[SoonerJake]

Thanks

[emilsr]

In between waxing I've had pretty good luck with the pink boat soap that West Marine sells. Been using this stuff for years. It is strong enough to remove dirt, not so strong as to strip wax.

[LOTOC Mike]

In between waxing I've had pretty good luck with the pink boat soap that West Marine sells. Been using this stuff for years. It is strong enough to remove dirt, not so strong as to strip wax.

I've used that pink stuff for hundreds of boats, it does a good job, but is $20 per gallon. I'll go through spurts of using regular car wash soap for $4/gal. I really don't think there is much difference. I'm a firm believer in elbow grease for cleaning, rather than trying to find miracle products and paying a ton for them.

[emilsr]

I've used that pink stuff for hundreds of boats, it does a good job, but is $20 per gallon. I'll go through spurts of using regular car wash soap for $4/gal. I really don't think there is much difference. I'm a firm believer in elbow grease for cleaning, rather than trying to find miracle products and paying a ton for them.

You're right about there being no "miracle cure" and no substitute for elbow grease. I never really paid attention to the cost as a gallon will last me a year (or more)....but I'm only cleaning the one boat.

[The Shineguys]

You're right about there being no "miracle cure" and no substitute for elbow grease. I never really paid attention to the cost as a gallon will last me a year (or more)....but I'm only cleaning the one boat. [smilie=042.gif] hiya emilsr, charley here with the shine guys boat cleaning service ,ever heard the saying "more is better"?? i have just the product 4 you, our product cleans,polishs & seals the surface in 3 ez steps spray on,wipe in [using finger pressure],then lightly buff off!! you can clean any non-pourous surface incl. fiberglass [jellcoat] alum. crome,glass,[will not finger print]it makes the surface so slick that nothing will stick! & the "least "you use the better it works, very little elbow grease! you have 2 see it 2 belive it!!
we also sell the product,if your the kind of guy that likes 2 do your own cleaning!!! it's second 2 none!! it comes in a 16oz. bottle w/appl.spray bottle along with appl.pad & buffing towel you can clean,polish & seal the surface of 6-8 full size cars with the 16oz.bottle @ a cost of 4-$5.00 per. call me,i'll be glad 2 come demo it 4 you!?? one coat will remove all the old wax & it will last 4 several months!!>>>417-752-1007>>>"GOD BLESS"[smilie=042.gif]

[baywatch]

+1 for the dish soap if I am waxing/polishing afterword. Dish soap is also great for cleaning your bilge and much cheaper than Simple green of spray
9. Then I do a coat of leverage and I am good to go for the season. Just distilled water in a spray bottle and terry cloth wipe down before and after I use the boat each time.

Shine guy, are you using leverage or you have something else?

[36Tango]

I just use the Leverage stuff as it is awesome AND easy. But then again, I am kinda lazy!

[joey]

I've haven't used leverage before, but if you do, does it keep the LOTO dark scum off with just a soap/vinegar wash and wipe off.

With a all white boat sometimes it's a real bear to get the weekend LOTO scum off with just a wash.

[Dockman]

I have always used zip wash & wax in the past. I may need to try some leverage stuff thi year?

[27Islander]

Love the leverage. Used it for the first time this year and it works.I also use the pink soap from West Marine for in between cleaning just for the bottom of the boat. Joey i bet it is hard to keep it clean. i know with mine being while on the bottom, it does not take long for it to get brown in color. Try the Levergage.

[joey]

Love the leverage. Joey i bet it is hard to keep it clean. i know with mine being white on the bottom, it does not take long for it to get brown in color. Try the Levergage.

Especially back by the transom (back 1/3 of the boat), I've really have to scrub and wash this sucker.
In about a 3/4 weekends the hard scrubbing takes off the wax. [smilie=106.gif]

[27Islander]

I get the same on the back transom. I think it is because of the capt's call. Usely wash it off at the en of the week,. Leverage does help but elbow greese does help.

[36Tango]

I've haven't used leverage before, but if you do, does it keep the LOTO dark scum off with just a soap/vinegar wash and wipe off.

With a all white boat sometimes it's a real bear to get the weekend LOTO scum off with just a wash.

I would try leverage. Buy the whole kit to take care of the stainless, the upholstery, and the fiberglass. It ain't that much and the chit works great.

[the bear]

Joey, I use the leverage and love it.

[Marine Clean]

+1 for the dish soap if I am waxing/polishing afterword. Dish soap is also great for cleaning your bilge and much cheaper than Simple green of spray
9. Then I do a coat of leverage and I am good to go for the season. Just distilled water in a spray bottle and terry cloth wipe down before and after I use the boat each time.

Shine guy, are you using leverage or you have something else?

Not mine or any of my formulas Josh. Quality costs. No offense, but fact.
I'll give you a buzz this weekend. I imagine you won't be on the water unless you like ice. :mrgreen:

[baywatch]

Not mine or any of my formulas Josh. Quality costs. No offense, but fact.
I'll give you a buzz this weekend. I imagine you won't be on the water unless you like ice. :mrgreen:

No worries Donnie. We won't be on the water till April. I was gonna send you an email to see who my closest distributer is these days (I'm loyal). Once I get the boat garage done (better be done within a couple weeks) I plan to get mean with a serious detail.

Hope you guys have been enjoying/resting up during the slow months and hopefully we'll see you up @ loto next season (we always have room for you and Natasha in the old resin bucket).

-Josh

[Marine Clean]

Thanks Josh. You may very well have us as passengers this year. I'm limiting my travels closer to home and LOTO is in that realm. :mrgreen:
Florida is doing fine and so is NE, so I figured we would stay home.

Dr. Jeff stocks everything and should have plenty on hand. Let me know.

[Dr. Jeff]

No worries Donnie. We won't be on the water till April. I was gonna send you an email to see who my closest distributer is these days (I'm loyal). Once I get the boat garage done (better be done within a couple weeks) I plan to get mean with a serious detail.

Hope you guys have been enjoying/resting up during the slow months and hopefully we'll see you up @ loto next season (we always have room for you and Natasha in the old resin bucket).

-Josh

Josh, as Donnie said, we are a Leverage Distributor. I just have to get our damned store up and running (it was hacked) I do have all of the Leverage products sitting right here, so PM me if you need something. [smilie=042.gif]

Great stuff!!!

[JohnnyZ]

I'll add another vote for dish soap if you're going to wax afterward. I'll also add if it's a painted surface (so, for the car too) try a clay bar. It lifts all the surface contaminants to prep for waxing. We also use the leverage, bought it on here from Dr. Jeff and picked it up on his doorstep. Stuff works great.

JZ

[Marine Clean]

Josh, as Donnie said, we are a Leverage Distributor. I just have to get our damned store up and running (it was hacked) I do have all of the Leverage products sitting right here, so PM me if you need something. [smilie=042.gif]

Great stuff!!!

Sorry to hear about the POS hackers. I figured you were upgrading the store, so that's why it was down. I'm in the middle of working on the leverage site just for upgrades though.

Thanks for all you do Dr. Jeff!!!

I keep promising to spend more time with you guys at LOTO. I hope to make that happen this year! Here's to a great 2010!

[Chillaxin]

I really like the Mary Kate Super Suds soap.

I use it in the winter on cars and trucks. You can put a capfull into a handheld pressure sprayer, spray down dirty vehicle and wait 3 mins. Blast with high pressure and it is very clean without brushing or touching (good surfactants in this stuff).

[The Shineguys]

+1 for the dish soap if I am waxing/polishing afterword. Dish soap is also great for cleaning your bilge and much cheaper than Simple green of spray
9. Then I do a coat of leverage and I am good to go for the season. Just distilled water in a spray bottle and terry cloth wipe down before and after I use the boat each time.

Shine guy, are you using leverage or you have something else?

hey baywatch,[smilie=hah]NO I DO NOT USE LEVERAGE!! I DON'T USE ABRASIVE NETHING! THE PRODUCT I USE IS SECOND TO NONE!! IT CLEANS,POLISH'S & SEALS THE SUFACE IN 3 EZ STEPS,NOTHING STICKS TO IT,YOU HAVE TO SEE IT TO BELIEVE IT! CALL ME,I'LL COME SHOW YOU[smilie=042.gif]

[The Shineguys]

I would try leverage. Buy the whole kit to take care of the stainless, the upholstery, and the fiberglass. It ain't that much and the chit works great.
HEY TANGO,I DON'T USE LEVERAGE,AFTER YOU USE MY PRODUCT YOU'LL NOT WANT TO USE NETHING ELSE!!when you put ur boat up on lift & that dirty water line will come right off using a water wet towel followed by a dry towel>> no more soap or wax!! the one product cleans polishs & seals all non-prous surfaces incl. fiberglass,window glass,stainless,crome ect.& again,to re-clean you use only water!! call me,i'll come prove it!![smilie=trink39]

[Marine Clean]

Hi Shine,

I'm not much for confrontation, but I'll bite. :)
Silicone isn't a polish or a wax. You can spray Pledge on a boat, but I wouldn't do it to save a life. And as for (jellcoat) as I believed you spalleed. Gelcoat/Clearcoat or as I like to say 'any fiberglass surface' needs to breathe. A vinyl seating surface also needs to be treated and maintained differently than fiberglass.

Now I could manufacture some $5 a bottle silicone, petroleum based product, but I wouldn't do it to save my life. I value my customers and the years and future I have with them. For over six years I've been a Full-Time Detailer ONLY specializing in boats. I don't play and this isn't a hobby. I didn't buy a boat seventeen years ago and now claim that I've detailed boats for all of those years.

Besides designing, creating, manufacturing and selling my own products I also consult on new designs, so I know what $5 gets you. Post your MSDS, so we can get this over with and enjoy the summer.

[John P]

What kind of soap/product are you using to wash boat with prior to the polish?

Marykate, Woody Wax and Yacht Brite all make a boat wash and are all good, I like the Woody Wax products.

[SHIP4BRAINS]

50/50 mix of vinegar and water. It will remove water spots/lime deposits and will make the chrome look like new.

[bsloop]

I am going to go ahead and put this out there, I am sure others are thinking it too.

I respect and encourage differing and competing views on products, that is what drives quality and improvement.
The ALL CAPS and direct attacks are coming across a little harsh. Another pet peeve is spelling and grammar, especially while representing a company.

Since this is a Cleaning and Detailing fourm, lets keep it just that; Clean and Detailed. Leave the rest for the school yard
[smilie=grouphug.gi:

Sorry for the thread hijack.

[John P]

I am going to go ahead and put this out there, I am sure others are thinking it too.

I respect and encourage differing and competing views on products, that is what drives quality and improvement.
The ALL CAPS and direct attacks are coming across a little harsh. Another pet peeve is spelling and grammar, especially while representing a company.

Since this is a Cleaning and Detailing fourm, lets keep it just that; Clean and Detailed. Leave the rest for the school yard
[smilie=grouphug.gi:

Sorry for the thread hijack.

X2
The original question was lost in this thread with mine is better than yours.

[Marine Clean]

I agree guys.

I've been around many of you and many of you know me personally. I've had attacks before and frankly I'm tired of them. I feel my dues are paid and my experiences speak of my knowledge. It may not be my product, but I'll tell you what works, what doesn't and what's the best to use from the results I've studied.

I apologize if I've come off harsh to anyone that views are wonderful forum. I don't like misinformation, so that's why I've spent so many years going through everything step-by-step. As always, I'm here to lend a hand wether it's buffing, wetsanding, vinyl or that new boat you just pulled home.

Here's to a great Summer! Just finished another 226 Cobalt. Kinda COLD & Winddy today!!

[SHIP4BRAINS]

X2
The original question was lost in this thread with mine is better than yours.


Something very similar happened at speedwake.com. A simple question turned into a riot that went on for a long time.

[shipshape]

I know I shouldn't get into to this but I guess I will. I have been in the marine business here at the lake for 13 yrs now. I have seen a lot of cleaning products out there and have used my fair share of them. I have not used leverage products yet nor have I used the Shine guys products. I do believe that I will try the leverage products now as far as the Shine Guys products that seem to be top secret I guess I wont try them. If it is silicone based I will not ever use them on gel coat and do not suggest for anyone else to use them on gel coat either. The truth is that I have a profitable business here at the lake and I don't have any special products just hard work . If you work hard and do your job the best you can you will succeed without putting down any ones else's products. There is over 80,000 boat on this lake I am sure there is plenty of work for us all without doing that stuff.

oh ya I like use most any boat wash I have one that I get from a paint distributor that I like. just scrub it. It doesn't matter what you use if you don't dry it good.


www.shipshapellc.com