Polishing fenders...

[justapheonix]

So, having cut, polished, and waxed the hull, I thought I'd have a quick go at smartening the fenders. One, a white job with blue ends, took cutting and polishing beautifully and was fully restored to its former glory. Others (Anchor) didn't respond.

Having chatted with expert colleagues, we realise we're well outside our own knowledge zones regarding different plastics, so:

What's the difference between fenders you can cut and polish, and those you can't?

 

[lw395]

Suggest having gone to all that effort get some fender socks instead?
Keeps the sun off the fenders at least. Our socks are home made from fleece fabric, easy cheap and a bit quicker to dry.
Some fenders can be rejuvenated with fine wet and dry paper, but obviously make sure you're not just embedding abrasive in the plastic!
Cheers,

 

[EuanMcKenzie]

mine came up nice by cleaning with the gritty version of swarfega. They don't shine but who cares if they live in the locker all the time anyway.

 

[pvb]

Isn't life too short to polish fenders? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Noddy]

Polishing Fenders??? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[PeterGibbs]

Ah, to witness one's fellow sailors following the inevitable path to enlightenment....fender socks are just one of the stages of the mariner's cross, a step taken when you've bought new fenders to replace the smutty old ones but can't bring yourself to chuck old friends! Then when you've collected 10+
fenders for a 30 foot boat, you have to cave in and stop buying new, and revert to covering the old.

We all make it to port....eventually ! Sometimes despite ourselves..

PWG

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

The most useful technique for fender polishing we have yet discovered is a tennager after some pocket money or a 5 year old anxious to help.

As for the morality of this technique, I leave it to the individual to decide.

Yrs

Mrs and Mrs Shiny-Fenders

 

[nimrod1230]

Don't know the different plastics used but I use acetone to get the muck off and a coat of polish seal the surface.

 

[FWB]

I find that Tyre Black brings them up like new /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[MASH]

Jif

 

[damo]

Careful with acetone - it turns some plastics into a sticky sludge (eg cockpit drain hoses, so don't spill any!!)

 

[B175Chris]

JML/Aldi's own brand of Magic Sponge - works a treat on mine and done in no time at all!