The C-Brats Forum Index
HomeForumsMy TopicsCalendarEvent SignupsMemberlistOur C-DorysThe Brat MapPhotos

Cleaning and buffing

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    The C-Brats Forum Index -> General Chat
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
mthoodskiguy



Joined: 14 May 2019
Posts: 13
City/Region: Marquette
State or Province: MI
C-Dory Year: 2003
C-Dory Model: 16 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Compass Rose
PostPosted: Thu May 16, 2019 5:50 pm    Post subject: Cleaning and buffing Reply with quote

We just got a little 16ft cruiser. Its real dirty and I need make her all shiny and new looking eh.. So the question is whats the best products to use when going about cleaning a c-dory. Thanks folks:)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
thataway



Joined: 02 Nov 2003
Posts: 20779
City/Region: Pensacola
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: thataway
Photos: Thataway
PostPosted: Thu May 16, 2019 9:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Soap and water go a long way to start. If there is some mold, we will either use specific mold abatement products, or just add a few ounces of "chlorox" to the soap and water.

If there are rust stains, or stains along the waterline, which don't come off with soap and water, I use oxalic Acid. You can get the granules from any paint or big box hardware store. Make a saturated solution--wear nitrile gloves to protect your hands (eye wear to protect your eyes). You can buy stain removers, but they all contain oxalic acid. I do use Bar Keeper's friend for some deck stains--it has a very mild abrasive, along with the oxalic acid.

There are a number of cleaners, if it is just dirty, Any of the auto cleaning waxes can do a simple and quick job. Collinite mades a great line of products for cleaning and waxing. Colinite 920 fiberglass boat cleaner followed with a good coat of Collinite Fleet wax 885 is a very durable product.

If the gel coat is heavily oxidized then you have to consider more drastic measures. A severe oxidation might require wet sand paper, starting at 800 grit up to 2000 or 3000 grit. I much prefer compounds. 3 M makes good ones" Start with 3 M heavy duty compound, purple container "Perfect it", There is a whole series of "Perfect it" thru polishes and even wax. I have used the 3m finesseit system up thru the polish and then Collinite Fleet wax. Some use Meguiar’s Marine/RV Pure Wax Carnauba Blend,

Some people swear for and others swear at polymers like PolyGlow. I suspect that the cabin top and eyebrow of my current boat had that done....

The buffer makes a lot of difference. If you have to do heavy cutting, a constant speed 6 to 7" buffer makes a lot of sense. The Makita 9237CX3 for a bit over $200 is probably the best tool. I happen to own a Porter Cable which is similar.

A wool pad, and ability to clean it regularly with muffin pad cleaning spur is essential for the cutting phase. Some use foam pads of different qualities.

My boat is at a place where I just wax it 2 to 4 times a year, after a go over with a cleaner. I have several random orbital buffers--cheap--which I use for application and then the cleaning--wax application and then buffing.

_________________
Bob Austin
Thataway
Thataway (Ex Seaweed) 2007 25 C Dory May 2018 to Oct. 2021
Thisaway 2006 22' CDory November 2011 to May 2018
Caracal 18 140 Suzuki 2007 to present
Thataway TomCat 255 150 Suzukis June 2006 thru August 2011
C Pelican; 1992, 22 Cruiser, 2002 thru 2006
Frequent Sea; 2003 C D 25, 2007 thru 2009
KA6PKB
Home port: Pensacola FL
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
BrentB



Joined: 15 Jul 2006
Posts: 4419
City/Region: Greenwood
State or Province: IN
Photos: BrentB
PostPosted: Thu May 16, 2019 10:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

A good cleaning with hot soapy water. Change it often

Tough spots will take more time or another cleaning agent or compounding

I like Woody's Was on SS fittings but other products are available. If not heavily oxidized, I use a cleaner and wax product (any name brand) then a top coat of wax either of liquid or paste wax like Collonite

Then clean windows with window cleaner and apply rain X

I like 303 vinyl cleaner then use protective agent but any of the name brand items work will

I use a microfiber wash mop and lots of microfiber towels

If really bad, hire a pro then DIY is easy

When all ship shape, use a wax friendly boat soap. Some soaps will remove wax


It might take several cleanings over months to make shine.


Tools like a good orbital polisher and pads are free if DIY. LOL

_________________
Brent Barrett
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
BrentB



Joined: 15 Jul 2006
Posts: 4419
City/Region: Greenwood
State or Province: IN
Photos: BrentB
PostPosted: Thu May 16, 2019 10:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

West Marine has a big sale going on now and lots of cleaning and maintenance items on sale
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Pacificcoast101



Joined: 29 Sep 2007
Posts: 717
City/Region: Torrance
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 2008
C-Dory Model: 255 Tomcat
Vessel Name: No Pressure
Photos: No Pressure
PostPosted: Thu May 16, 2019 11:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've tried many types of cleaners but only one brought the boat back to new condition.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_OYSHkFIWY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEGolbLmAYo
Lysol toilet bowl cleaner is the easiest and best ever! I spray it on, brush for a minute or less, rinse it off and it looks better. The next day it looked new. Now I use it to touch up areas of heavy traffic.

_________________
Phil Garner
2008 Tomcat 255
No Pressure



Southern California Marine Life
https://www.flickr.com/photos/southern_california_marine_life/albums

My Photos
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/?pseudoid=%7bAC42A235-FD0A-464A-B559-1CC5843C95FB%7d&name=Phil+Garner&st=11&mode=0&comp=1
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Hewbs



Joined: 08 Aug 2018
Posts: 21
City/Region: Eagle River
State or Province: AK
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Sea Señor
Photos: Hewbs
PostPosted: Thu May 16, 2019 11:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Here is an older link to a detailed post for buffing and waxing that I have followed for the most part. It’s the second post down.

https://forums.sailboatowners.com/index.php?threads/buff-magic.105832/
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
jakevolvo@yahoo.com



Joined: 07 Jul 2018
Posts: 74
City/Region: Orting
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 1986
C-Dory Model: 22 Angler
Vessel Name: C-Told Ya So
Photos: C-Told Ya So
PostPosted: Thu May 16, 2019 11:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

3m 05954 heavy duty compound. It's amazing and FAST
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
cmetzenberg



Joined: 04 Jan 2014
Posts: 367
City/Region: Santa Barbara
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 255 Tomcat
Vessel Name: Kanaloa
Photos: Kanaloa
PostPosted: Fri May 17, 2019 12:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I do not dispute any of the above, but I would like to add one suggestion. a few years back i started using salt-away for my final rinse off after washing; it make s a huge difference. No water spots and it always looks shiny.
_________________
Conrad Metzenberg

07' Tomcat 255 "Kanaloa"
87' Boston Whaler Guardian 17 (BlackFlag, 03-14)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
ssobol



Joined: 27 Oct 2012
Posts: 3362
City/Region: SW Michigan
State or Province: MI
C-Dory Year: 2008
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: SoBELLE
Photos: SoBelle
PostPosted: Fri May 17, 2019 1:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Pacificcoast101 wrote:
... Lysol toilet bowl cleaner is the easiest and best ever! I spray it on, brush for a minute or less, rinse it off and it looks better. ...


I also use Lysol toilet bowl cleaner to get the organic staining off the hull of my boat. Works great.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
mthoodskiguy



Joined: 14 May 2019
Posts: 13
City/Region: Marquette
State or Province: MI
C-Dory Year: 2003
C-Dory Model: 16 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Compass Rose
PostPosted: Fri May 17, 2019 10:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

thanks so much all you c-dory loving folks... I don't have waterline issues its more of a storage dirt and mold issue:) Going to pick up some toilet bowl cleaner and gonna give her a giant scrubbing this afternoon. All gonna clean all the ss up as mentioned above as well.. I will be sure to post a couple before and after pics... Thanks a ton folks!!!!
THIS INFO IS PRICELESS!!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Pacificcoast101



Joined: 29 Sep 2007
Posts: 717
City/Region: Torrance
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 2008
C-Dory Model: 255 Tomcat
Vessel Name: No Pressure
Photos: No Pressure
PostPosted: Fri May 17, 2019 11:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Get the non-bleach version!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
BrentB



Joined: 15 Jul 2006
Posts: 4419
City/Region: Greenwood
State or Province: IN
Photos: BrentB
PostPosted: Fri May 17, 2019 12:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

For mold and mildew, add a cup or two of bleach to 5 gal bucket of hot soapy water and scrub well and keep wet for 15 min or more to kills the microorganisms. May need to repeat . Clean all surfaces, remove as many items as you can, and let the boat dry outside in the sun or use a fan
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    The C-Brats Forum Index -> General Chat All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
     Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You cannot download files in this forum



Page generation time: 0.1282s (PHP: 49% - SQL: 51%) - SQL queries: 31 - GZIP disabled - Debug on