Needing new fenders?

Storm Dog · Posted: Mon May 04, 2020 11:05 am Post subject: Needing new fenders?

My photo album shows the state of my fenders. It's kind of embarrassing! Do I need to replace these? Recommendations ?

ssobol · Posted: Mon May 04, 2020 11:43 am Post subject: Re: Needing new fenders?

Marco Flamingo · Posted: Mon May 04, 2020 11:46 am Post subject:

I just bought a boat with fenders in that condition and chose to clean them up. NAPA waterless hand cleaner will get rid of creosote. SoftScrub will get rid of most of the rest. I had mine in a big tub and finished by letting each one sit in bleach for a few hour. Rinsed them off and good to go. Not perfect, but they will do the job. Larger fenders have a place where you can refill them with a basketball needle and air pump. Mine needed that.

More importantly, I replaced all of the old lines.

Mark

BTDT · Posted: Mon May 04, 2020 12:02 pm Post subject:

I finally gave up on cleaning white fenders and went to black fenders. Problem solved Very Happy

Storm Dog · Posted: Mon May 04, 2020 12:41 pm Post subject:

I finally gave up on cleaning white fenders and went to black fenders. Problem solved Very Happy

I've been thinking on the logic of this! Future purchases should be black or c-dory green. Thumbs Up

hardee · Posted: Mon May 04, 2020 12:45 pm Post subject:

I have seen and heard that putting your fenders into the dishwasher and running a couple of cycles can do them wonders. I think you have to do that when the admirable is out for a hair salon appointment Laughing

Recommendations: Taylor Made brand, from West Marine. Between those to warranties you will never have to buy new fenders again.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

Wandering Sagebrush · Posted: Mon May 04, 2020 4:21 pm Post subject:

TSP, Bleach and Borax will clean them up, you should find the mix quantities on the web. Inflate any that have the valve that accept a needle...

JamesTXSD · Posted: Mon May 04, 2020 5:27 pm Post subject:

I take a Clorox Wipe to mine once in a while - that has worked for me for years.

Catman · Posted: Mon May 04, 2020 5:33 pm Post subject:

Poor things. Yes, do like the guys have suggested and soon your freshened soldiers will at attention protecting your valuable marine fortress. Peace

thataway · Posted: Mon May 04, 2020 6:02 pm Post subject:

Be careful using some chemicals, such as acetone, lacquer thinner or MEK. They have a tendency to make the surface sticky.

I use a citrus based mildly abrasive hand cleaner, Such as "Go Jo". With a scotch green or white pad if bad. Then I cover them with 303 aero space protectorate to help restore the plasticizers. The fenders are all treated with 303 each year, even if they just need a little soap and water to clean.

You can get fender covers--easier on the boat, and cheaper than fenders. Some fenders carry a life time guarantee.

Filling with air--either the needle valve or some have a plug you screw out, and a taper fitting as in an air gun (no High pressure), just enough that they provide a "cushion".

Clean after each major use--or trip. Should last a long time. We found one 36" round fender which had floated over 1000 miles on The Atlantic. Since we had plenty of time on passage, we scraped off the foot or so of barnicals and marine growth. Cleaned with the hand cleaner, and used for a number of years. The surface was faded, but worked fine.

ssobol · Posted: Mon May 04, 2020 6:17 pm Post subject:

Robert H. Wilkinson · Posted: Mon May 04, 2020 10:48 pm Post subject:

thataway · Posted: Mon May 04, 2020 10:52 pm Post subject:

Storm Dog · Posted: Wed May 06, 2020 2:20 pm Post subject:

Thanks a lot for all the great info!

Glenn