Car/Boat Shampoo

[Karnic]

Before waxing boat with a quality Marine wax is it ok to wash boat with a car shampoo ( Autoglym Polar blast for pressure washer ). Will doing washing in garage so being biodegradeable is not an issue. After shampooing will wax with marine wax .

 

[Portofino]

You should wash anyhow before any polish .We use plain washing up liquid + water + brush + hand rub where necessary.
Its a blue hull 14 M so with scaffolding takes a couple of hours .
We don’t pressure wash above the WL just elbow grease + soapy water .

Copious rinse and wait until dry before starting polishing .

Car shampoo will be fine as will most mild soapy detergents .Emphasis on “ mild “ .

 

[GSL]

I think Autoglym Polar Blast is a TFR based product, if so it will remove all traces of previous Polish / Wax.

If that is what you want, no problem, so you will need to polish it again.

Graham

 

[Karnic]

I think Autoglym Polar Blast is a TFR based product, if so it will remove all traces of previous Polish / Wax.

If that is what you want, no problem, so you will need to polish it again.

Graham

Polar wash sorry not polar blast. I think its milder. Eventually will wax afterwards.

 

[A_8]

I think best practice is to use something that is a bit heavy and will remove any old wax etc and then start fresh including a light polish if your gelcoat is not new"ish".

Obviously depends on your level of ambition but if you want show room type finish you have to start from a "clean" surface, buff out all the oxidation and scratches as well as apply a nice deep gloss protective wax layer (or two).

 

[hullabaloo]

.We use plain washing up liquid + water + brush + hand rub where necessary.

has your boat got a shine ? (Photo request).
washing up liquid is not good for boats or cars.

I don't see the point in washing old wax off, then waxing,
yes wash the boat with a mild wash and wax, then re-wax,
treat you boat like an expensive car.

 

[Karnic]

Boat is 5 years old. Never polished but always hand waxed. Still got a good shine but not to that extent. Was planning to powerwash boat mildly, hand polish it for the first time and afterwards will apply a coat of wax. Do you think i should do the polish step?

 

[Karnic]

has your boat got a shine ? (Photo request).
washing up liquid is not good for boats or cars.

I don't see the point in washing old wax off, then waxing,
yes wash the boat with a mild wash and wax, then re-wax,
treat you boat like an expensive car.

Boat is 5 years old. Never polished but always hand waxed. Still got a good shine but not to that extent. Was planning to powerwash boat mildly, hand polish it for the first time and afterwards will apply a coat of wax. Do you think i should do the polish step?

 

[hullabaloo]

It sounds like your boat in not needing a good deep polish, (it would if you had used washing up liquid).
Personally i would polish on corner, stand back, place both hands on your hips and you will have the answer.

 

[Portofino]

has your boat got a shine ? (Photo request).
washing up liquid is not good for boats or cars.

I don't see the point in washing old wax off, then waxing,
yes wash the boat with a mild wash and wax, then re-wax,
treat you boat like an expensive car.

You tell me ?
The wash with supermarket washing up liquid diluted in a bucket + brush is to remove the winters accumulated pollution , dirt , etc .I dont think it does anything to the wax ....what’s left of it .
We use rotary polishers , foam pads some light 3M cutting compound then Dulon 2 pack , the 2 nd with a wool mop
All thought there are many other methods which all work .
Takes 2 blokes 2 days with a rotary polisher each .

 

[PCUK]

Waterless wash products clean and wax in one go. Just have plenty of clothes handy.

 

[Assassin]

You tell me ?
The wash with supermarket washing up liquid diluted in a bucket + brush is to remove the winters accumulated pollution , dirt , etc .I dont think it does anything to the wax ....what’s left of it .
We use rotary polishers , foam pads some light 3M cutting compound then Dulon 2 pack , the 2 nd with a wool mop
All thought there are many other methods which all work .
Takes 2 blokes 2 days with a rotary polisher each .
View attachment 88847

Do you have to tip it on its side, or is that easier?

 

[ontheplane]

Never ever use washing up liquid on a car - the salt content is way too high.

You can use it on a boat, but I wouldn't - use something much gentler - and the do I need to polish question is simply a case of if there is a good shine that can be restored with a good wax don't bother - every time you use a cutting polish you are taking a tiny bit of gelcoat off - the less you can do that the better but eventually you may need to if the wax doesn't return the shine to a level you are happy with.

 

[ds797]

Has anyone ever tried simple (cheapish) supermarket hair shampoo? I tried it on an old car once and was amazed by the results.... I'm no chemist, but several of the ingredients were the same as an expensive car shampoo!

 

[ontheplane]

The problem isn't the cleaning agents (although you don't want anything that strips the waxes off) it's what else is in there. Any ammonia will damage the gelcoat and so on.

Use the right stuff and you will get a better result - I can't imagine boat cleaner / shampoo is a huge part of your annual budget.

 

[alandalus11]

Has anyone ever tried simple (cheapish) supermarket hair shampoo? I tried it on an old car once and was amazed by the results.... I'm no chemist, but several of the ingredients were the same as an expensive car shampoo!

Have tried hair shampoo in the past and it managed to get rid of all the flaky bits after a few uses. Left the boat soft and shiny. You need to use the normal one not the one for greasy or dry.

 

[ontheplane]

Well no, not dry obviously lol