mthoodskiguy
New member
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
Cleaning and buffing
- Thread starter mthoodskiguy
- Start date
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.
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.
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
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
Pacificcoast101
Member
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.
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.
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 ... ic.105832/
https://forums.sailboatowners.com/index ... ic.105832/
jakevolvo@yahoo.com
New member
3m 05954 heavy duty compound. It's amazing and FAST
cmetzenberg
New member
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.
mthoodskiguy
New member
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!!
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!!
Pacificcoast101
Member
Get the non-bleach version!
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