cleaning fenders

[Birdseye]

what is the best way of cleaning / restoring fenders?

 

[johnalison]

I’m sorry that nobody seems inclined to answer. My own policy is

1 use a detergent, such as a hull cleaner
2 use something like Cif
3 use an oxalic acid based compound or Y10 for yellow stains
4 try anything solvent in desperation, even acetone
5 buy fender socks
6 buy new fenders.
I’m sure they sell something called fender cleaner but I’m too mean to fork out.

 

[Humblebee]

I agree with John Alison's first four steps, then I would go for Silky Caravan Cleaner;

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silky-Crea...3&psc=1&mcid=d937d56ee6b93f8dbbbe17fe1d90f45d

I'm not a big fan of fender socks, they get wet and transfer a lot of water into the locker where I keep my fenders. Different if you store them on deck though.

 

[johnalison]

I agree with John Alison's first four steps, then I would go for Silky Caravan Cleaner;

Amazon.co.uk

I'm not a big fan of fender socks, they get wet and transfer a lot of water into the locker where I keep my fenders. Different if you store them on deck though.

Or in the anchor well.

 

[Sneaky Pete]

what is the best way of cleaning / restoring fenders?

Use the wife.

 

[wonkywinch]

I agree with John Alison's first four steps, then I would go for Silky Caravan

I see in this month's PBO a picture of that stuff as part of their topic "cleaning fenders" but guess CIF would work. It used to be called JIF but the makers though it easily confused by a competitors product which was lemon juice in a lemon shaped, lemon sized and lemon coloured bottle.

Cream Cleaner Caravan and Motorhome Remove Dirt and grime

 

[neilf39]

Where the fender surface has degraded under UV I use rubbing alcohol and then 'pink stuff'. Rubbing alcohol gets that sticky layer off but you need lots of fresh cloths or you wipe it back on again.

 

[Skylark]

what is the best way of cleaning / restoring fenders?

I don’t believe that it’s possible to clean / restore a dirty (white) fender.

I take pride in keeping my boat clean but measured by my personal level of satisfaction, my fenders are dreadful.

There’s nothing on the Periodic Table of the Elements that I haven’t tried at one time or another.

Cleaning them as soon as they are marked or as a job on the list in preparation for launch, nothing works; Fairy Liquid, Jif, Acetone, Solutions with marine tax or Screwfix No Nonsense etc etc.

This topic is often raised and if ever there is a suggested alchemy that I’ve yet to try, I usually buy it. Much to my chagrin, I’ve yet to find anything that makes the slightest improvement to a grubby fender.

 

[Stemar]

Use the wife.

That might rub her up the wrong way

 

[johnalison]

I see in this month's PBO a picture of that stuff as part of their topic "cleaning fenders" but guess CIF would work. It used to be called JIF but the makers though it easily confused by a competitors product which was lemon juice in a lemon shaped, lemon sized and lemon coloured bottle.

Cream Cleaner Caravan and Motorhome Remove Dirt and grime

I put a mental cedilla under the C in Cif and then I can pronounce it the Turkish way and still call it Jif.

 

[steveeasy]

Just some bleach spray cleaner and a bit of elbow grease.

Steveeasy

 

[wrr]

Having scrubbed off the adherent green growth with detergent and allowed to dry, this stuff does a good job on engrained grime, such as the Hamble gets from Fawley refinery, see Everbuild PVCu Solvent Cleaner

 

[Boathook]

Having scrubbed off the adherent green growth with detergent and allowed to dry, this stuff does a good job on engrained grime, such as the Hamble gets from Fawley refinery, see Everbuild PVCu Solvent Cleaner

Just ordered some to try.

I've found other the years other cleaners struggle with the engrained grime and was getting to the stage of purchasing new fenders.

 

[Boathook]

Use the wife.

And if you don't have a wife / partner .....

 

[duncan99210]

Fenders respond well to an application of elbow grease, warm water, detergent and a stainless steel pan scourer. That gets rid of the gross dirt/stickiness and Jif does well for removing less stubborn dirt. We use fender socks made from fleece , replaced every couple of years.

 

[matt1]

I find pro ribshine works well and is not at all abrasive.

Pro Marine Ribshine 500ml | Force 4 Chandlery

Off the back off the PBO review I bought some “silky” this year from a camping shop and didn’t find it any better even though the results in their review looked amazing, particularly on the inflatable tender

 

[Sneaky Pete]

And if you don't have a wife / partner .....

I don't but for those unfortunate to have one try and make good use of what you have.

 

[choony]

what is the best way of cleaning / restoring fenders?

I’ve just had great success with cillit bang baños!

 

[Scubadoo]

I don’t believe that it’s possible to clean / restore a dirty (white) fender.

I take pride in keeping my boat clean but measured by my personal level of satisfaction, my fenders are dreadful.

There’s nothing on the Periodic Table of the Elements that I haven’t tried at one time or another.

Cleaning them as soon as they are marked or as a job on the list in preparation for launch, nothing works; Fairy Liquid, Jif, Acetone, Solutions with marine tax or Screwfix No Nonsense etc etc.

This topic is often raised and if ever there is a suggested alchemy that I’ve yet to try, I usually buy it. Much to my chagrin, I’ve yet to find anything that makes the slightest improvement to a grubby fender.

I have good results with using vistal.

 

[MADRIGAL]

I don’t believe that it’s possible to clean / restore a dirty (white) fender.

That has certainly been my experience. This is a pity, because they are quite expensive. Does anyone know what the things are made of?