Cleaning Fenders

[Nostrodamus]

I have got lots of fenders which to be honest are pretty dirty.
I tried cleaning one with some expensive fender cleaner. It took about an hour to do but it did as they say scrub up nicely.
Does anyone know of a easy method of cleaning them and is there a cheaper method than buying expensive products?

 

[Malish]

swarfega and a plastic scouring pad works for me

 

[William_H]

Fenders

I used acetone to clean fenders. You need to wipe over with detergent after. olewill

 

[theoldsalt]

I use CIF with a damp cloth or a scouring pad. Rince off and dry then protect with the same product I use on my GRP topsides.

 

[Wunja]

I just run the pressure washer over them

 

[neilmcc]

Another vote for acetone

I used acetone on ours this year and they came up very well with very little elbow grease. Give them a wash as said and buff with a cloth.
Buy acetone at a local fibreglass supplier at £5.50 for 2.5l as opposed to £6 something for 500ml of 'marine stuff'.

 

[rogerthebodger]

I have used a water based paint brush cleaner.

Come up very nice

 

[snowleopard]

Another vote for Acetone. It removes 80% of the staining on white fenders. Be warned that if you have the type with blue ends the acetone will dissolve the blue coating.

 

[rudolph_hart]

Fairy Power Spray, with 'plastic' sponge-backed scourer for the really dirty bits.

 

[rafiki_]

I use CIF with a damp cloth or a scouring pad. Rince off and dry then protect with the same product I use on my GRP topsides.

Another vote for Cif.

 

[Nostrodamus]

Well it looks like plenty of votes for sponge backed cleaners and probably acetone. Anyone want to show me their technique on 10 fenders?

 

[Csail]

Seem to remember wd40 works?

 

[GAJ]

Another vote for acetone but I have also used Cillit Bang in powder form it is suprisingly powerful. Wear gloves though.

 

[rivonia]

We cleaned 13 fenders using wet & dry. Tried all the others mentioned but still did not get them CLEAN ENOUGH !!

Peter

 

[enterprise]

The most effective and non destructive way we have found is to use Starbrite's Black streak remover, aplied with a 'Magic Sponge' (those melamine sponges from JML, available at B&Q)
Fenders always come up like new but without using harsh abrasive cleaners which accelerates their wear.

 

[ChattingLil]

I recently used Harpic with a scourer and then wiped them over with nail polish remover which I had on board in my toiletry bag. They look like new. someone somewhere recommended wiping them over with "Kleer", but I can't find any and anyway, it's expensive and seeing as I six in an hour while listening to the radio in the sunshine, I dont mind having to do them again.

 

[Tremlett 15]

Elbow Grease............as in

http://www.shopwiki.co.uk/Elbow-Grease-Degreaser-500ml/stores/Elbow?o=360772475&s=534330

buy it local £ shops or the like.

 

[Csail]

May sound odd but as i need to clean mine i did a bit of an experiment on a mooring buoy and best by far was ptfe lubricant spray.I know i sell it but you can get it in halfords etc.

 

[Eygthene]

My fenders were bought from a specialist trade stall at a boat jumble. The proprietor advised me that WD40 was the best for cleaning them. I haven't had to try it yet.

 

[Stu Jackson]

I have used a water based paint brush cleaner.

Come up very nice

+100 !!!

I'd been using acetone for many years, just tried this at the suggestion of a dock mate. Much, much easier. NO elbow grease required.