Pre buff cleaning without water

Strecker25

Strecker25

Well-Known Member
SILVER Sponsor
Nov 20, 2014
4,923
Rochester, NY
Boat Info
2002 410DA
Engines
Caterpillar 350HP 3126
Hi guys, sounds silly but I need to clean the gelcoat prior to compounding/waxing without water. Since I'm starting early for our area the marina water is not on yet.

Is there a way to spot clean and take off surface grime with a solvent of some kind? I have used acetone to clean decal residue, stains, etc but I don't know if that would be ok for a surface wipe? Maybe some kind of thinner? I don't care that it strips the wax (I'd actually prefer it) but maybe there's a specific product I should use instead?
 
Honestly, I'd either wait for the water to be turned on...or bring a bunch in whatever. Then I'd atleasr wipeitdown to remove the surface stuff. Otherwise you're going to scratch everything. Acetone will just remove the finish.

Thats my 2 cents.

Mark
 
Wait for the water. Hire a pro with a water trailer. Take your pick. Water is instrumental in removing/washing away grime.....especially on reflective surfaces.
 
sounds good. I have a bunch of 6gal buckets with lids for homebrewing I could cart some water down to the marina with to at least get started. We're only 2 miles away from the boat. Thanks!
 
Water is best, but windex and a rag works next best.

LG
 
Run the buckets of water down and give her a bath.
 
It is called 3M SharpShooter. It is a spray on or wipe on wipe off product. Wear gloves and a mask. It will clean your fiberglass removing waterspots and the old wax. You will need plenty of rags for this application.
We use a Pro called Pro-Glow Marine. They do our top sides and we do the hull. I swear by this sharp shooter material. Enjoy those sore arms.
 
Thanks everyone, all good options. I think I'll start cheap and simple and just wash a few sections with some carted water. I would think the water will be on soon, so this should just get us started.
 
I have always used windex and a soft rag. For anything that the windex can't remove I switch to Meguire's. But Windex gets most of it without a problem.
 
You can try a waterless car wash. If you do a search you'll see that many detailers use it when water is not available. It's some sort of lubricant. I add it to my wash buckets when washing the car or boat. Amazing stuff.
 
Smokeio said:
You can try a waterless car wash. If you do a search you'll see that many detailers use it when water is not available. It's some sort of lubricant. I add it to my wash buckets when washing the car or boat. Amazing stuff.
Click to expand...

Most of the indoor-heated buildings in our area do not have floor drains, so you can't use any water once you're in the building. It makes buffing/polishing virtually impossible in the Spring because there is usually dust covering everything. Most people just use a wet towel and a few buckets, but the really picky folks will use a waterless car wash. Either way, if you're using compound or any cleaner-wax, you don't have to be that picky about getting it perfectly clean.
 
Just an update, I went with windex as a first pass and it cleaned it up just fine. Here's how she came out





Now if the snow would melt I could do the other side
 
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