Cleaning hull prior to waxing or polishing

marks737

marks737

Active Member
Sep 15, 2009
333
NJ
Boat Info
2005 390 Sundancer
Engines
Cummins QSB 5.9
Every season, I thoroughly was the boat from top to bottom prior to waxing, but boat wash doesn't cut through the dirty staining in spots. Cleaner wax works but it's a lot of work. Is there a cleaner or degreaser that works more easily that will cleans easier?
 
Yes. I just did this. If you are talking stubborn stains here and there, you cant beat regular old toilet bowl cleaner. But, use very carefully and not too much and definitely rinse well after scrubbing. I got a bottle of TheWorks from Wal Mart for maybe 1.99 and it was like magic on all stains I had. Again, dont lather this stuff all over, use it piecemeal with a good follow up rinse.
 
FSR works well on waterline stains and such. West Marine sells it, and FSR is the abbreviation for fiberglass stain remover.
 
Craigalan said:
Yes. I just did this. If you are talking stubborn stains here and there, you cant beat regular old toilet bowl cleaner. But, use very carefully and not too much and definitely rinse well after scrubbing. I got a bottle of TheWorks from Wal Mart for maybe 1.99 and it was like magic on all stains I had. Again, dont lather this stuff all over, use it piecemeal with a good follow up rinse.
Click to expand...

As an acid, it's hard to find anything that will remove mineral/rust stains faster, easier or cheaper. You also aren't likely to find anything more harsh: It will turn ablative bottom paint from black to orange in seconds and the graphic on the bottle of a hand with a hole in it shouldn't be taken lightly.

I mix a couple tablespoons of baking soda in water and dunk half a sheet of heavy duty paper towel in it. After applying the acid and cleaning the surface, I coat my hands and wrist with the soda mixture, and then run it over the surface to neutralize the acid before rinsing. Inevitably, the mixture will bubble on some area on my skin that got past my gloves or splattered without me noticing. It's cool, but sobering!
 
Dollar store toilet bowl cleaner. Be careful around galvanized trailers (cover them).
 
I find that generic hull cleaner from someplace like West Marine works just fine. I wear gloves and eye protection and spray it wherever I have water stains and they melt off. I wet my trailer prior to applying it and I rinse the hull and trailer very thoroughly afterwards.
 
RollerCoastr said:
As an acid, it's hard to find anything that will remove mineral/rust stains faster, easier or cheaper. You also aren't likely to find anything more harsh: It will turn ablative bottom paint from black to orange in seconds and the graphic on the bottle of a hand with a hole in it shouldn't be taken lightly.

I mix a couple tablespoons of baking soda in water and dunk half a sheet of heavy duty paper towel in it. After applying the acid and cleaning the surface, I coat my hands and wrist with the soda mixture, and then run it over the surface to neutralize the acid before rinsing. Inevitably, the mixture will bubble on some area on my skin that got past my gloves or splattered without me noticing. It's cool, but sobering!
Click to expand...

"The works" cleaner does this to you? I get that at DollarTree and use that in the shower at home. Never have even put a glove on. Maybe I should!
 
Last edited:
It can burn the skin. But wow does it ever take stubborn stains off almost instantly. I usually just squirt a little into a cup, then dab some onto a rag and apply only on tough stains. Never had a problem. Also, I wear gloves as well. But, for 1.99 it cant be beat.


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Regular walmart (attwood) boat soap, Spray 9, and a few squirts of toilet bowl cleaner. Add some elbow grease, and the old girl cleans up pretty nice.
 
The pros use a product called 3M Sharpshooter cleaner changing out towels frequently. This will break down and remove the difficult water spots fast. We use CLR on the water line.
 
Anyone buy a wax at an automotive store for their boat? I am a first-time waxer. Any suggestions for an easy on/easy off wax for a newbie?


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Wax is like most things. You generally pay for what you get. If you only want to wax one a season, get a good wax.
3m, starbrite, colinite, even meguiar's has a great boat wax. Mike
 
Yep. Went with 3m. Its excellent and easy. Thanks!


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