Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Problems - HELP!!!

[MXboater]

We recently purchased our first boat (1995 195 Bowrider). I choose an older boat considering the on the job training would be less painfull.
The hull had a good shine to it being a '95 model, but my wife and son decided to surprise me by washing the boat using a magic eraser. Needless to say, the boat is very clean, however the shine is gone. I was definitly surprised.
Is there a way to correct this?

Thanks for any help
Jeff

 

[280 SeaRay]

Without pictures or seeing the damage in person I can only offer suggestions. Evaluating the surface is really the only way to get the proper prescription. I have a rule when attempting to fix surface issues (gel coat). Use the least aggressive product to get the job done and don't be afraid of a little elbow grease. If I were in your shoes I would pick a spot and begin by using a polish (least aggressive) such as Meguiars #45 or equivalent. I would use a DA Polisher such as the Porter Cable 7424 and a good polishing pad. If you are not satisfied with the results then move more aggressive to a mild compound such as #44 Color Restorer or equivalent. I would be surprised if you would have to go more aggressive than #44. If you end up using #44 or like mild compound... follow with #45 or like polish and then a high quality wax. The abrasive magic eraser will remove the wax.

No matter how you slice it..... the magic eraser is an abrasive. A fine one... but still an abrasive that sands spots/dirt out of things rather than cleaning it. I believe I am in the minority when I say I do not like this product on the boat. I like to clean things rather than sand them clean. I think you will enjoy the shine once you work out the problems. Best of luck.

 

[sbw1]

I'd just wheel it out with a new wool bonnet using 3M Finesse it and apply Flagship wax with a clean white towell and wheel that in with a fresh new wool bonnet to protect the shine. You should be fine.

 

[Morpheus]

Believe I read on here somewhere that the Magic Eraser will actually remove the wax and shinny finish, so you may of lost of the shine because of no wax on the boat anymore.

 

[MXboater]

Thanks for the info. I'll try to polish it out this weekend. I'm going to use Meguiars 44 &/or 45. Any input on pads, such as wool or foam and make / color with these products.
Thanks

 

[Sea Ray 300]

No matter how you slice it..... the magic eraser is an abrasive. A fine one... but still an abrasive that sands spots/dirt out of things rather than cleaning it. I believe I am in the minority when I say I do not like this product on the boat.

I completely agree, and stand in line on the minority side.

Magic Eraser has been recommended for cleaning upholstery.
This is not a good idea, as the abrasive will take the finish off of the vynil.
Gelcoat, vynil, and Magic Eraser is not a good combination.

 

[Alex D]

We recently purchased our first boat (1995 195 Bowrider). I choose an older boat considering the on the job training would be less painfull.
The hull had a good shine to it being a '95 model, but my wife and son decided to surprise me by washing the boat using a magic eraser. Needless to say, the boat is very clean, however the shine is gone. I was definitly surprised.
Is there a way to correct this?

Thanks for any help
Jeff

Magic Eraser is a micro abrasive. Check on Wikipedia for more info. It is straight melamine foam. The warning label states not to use it on polished surfaces! The ONLY way to get your shine back is to compound/polish the hull to its original shine, removing the micro scratches and then re-wax it.

 

[DS410]

Magic Eraser has been recommended for cleaning upholstery.
This is not a good idea, as the abrasive will take the finish off of the vynil.

The use of the Magic Eraser was recently recommended by a detailer for use on the white vinyl seating for helm and cockpit. Should we not do this? If not, then what do you recommend to get them gleaming white again?

Thanks.

David

 

[sbw1]

You can use it sparingly but it's not something you do every week. I used it on a dime sized black mildew spot that would not come off with any other product. Once the spot was gone I cleaned the rest of the area with mild soap and water and 303. I resort to ME only once or twice a season and don't use a lot of pressure and feather it out so the clean spot blends in. The best way to keep upholstery clean is regular use of mild soap and water.

 

[boatdoc100]

Try using the Buff Magic product(recommended by Sea Ray) with a 3-m hoot-it compounding pad. This will work wonderfully for you. No wax is in the product all co-polymer. The grit in it as 1000 grit jewlers rough. A coating of Propolish will make the hull look like a mirror after the Buff Majic. These products work better than conventional waxes and don't build or turn yellow. You can buy them inexpensively at www.marinediscounters.com
Brad
Pflieger Marine Services

 

[Sea Ray 300]

The use of the Magic Eraser was recently recommended by a detailer for use on the white vinyl seating for helm and cockpit. Should we not do this? If not, then what do you recommend to get them gleaming white again?

Thanks.

David

David,
The last boat I had, sold at the tender age of 10, had white seats, that still looked great.
Did they look brand new?
No, I'd be exaggerating if I said they did.
But the buyer couldn't believe how great they looked.
I've always used a top name cleaner, like Collinite, Starbrite, or 3M, and then 303 protectant.
Never Magic Eraser.
Vinyl seating has a very thin polished top, similar in concept to a fiberglass gel-coat layer, and can be abraded away.
Now, in all honesty, during boating season, I do keep the boat covered, either with the camper top, mooring cover, or shrink-wrapped during the winter, which helps protect from UV.
I would also recommend not putting plastic bags with printing on the seats.
I've seen said bags, particularly the ones from West Marine, leave the ink on the seats.
I also had a friend leave a cheap, wet black umbrella on my seats, which bled the black dye.
After a good, non-abrasive cleaning, the sun did the magic of removing the stains.
Hope this helps.