Winter Work

[derekgillard]

My first winter as a boat owner and I am off next weekend to start work.

One of my jobs is cleaning the top sides, some time ago a question was asked here, what is the best cleaner for the job, the expensive cleaners from the chandlers or good old Jiff.

I remember sone interseting answers with some thing about wallpaper paste?

Can anybody give me their suggestions please.

Derek

 

[Will]

Stuff called Y10, available from most chandlers. Then use a wax polish for a really spangly finish. And for best results apply using wife or child or both.

 

[oldharry]

Y10 is far and away the best basic cleaner for GRP. Be very wary of using Jiff and other cream cleaners on GRP as they are abrasive, and although they clean thoroughly, they can also take the gloss finish off GRP. They are intended for use on metal or enamel surfaces, and will quickly dull polished Stainless steel if used over enthusiastically!

 

[longjohnsilver]

Oxalic acid mixed with wallpaper paste is just as effective as Y10 (just a home made version) and very much cheaper.

I have always used Jiff cream to clean topsides and have been pleased with results, although if I had a new boat I might be a little more reluctant to use it. I use Mer polish which IMHO is really excellent.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Hold hard me hearty

Bit premature to start to cleaning the topsides yet. Another 3 months of yukky weather to come. Why not do some interior jobs now, and wait until the end of March to do the cosmetic stuff on the hull?

 

[dick_james]

I've found that a strong solution of dishwasher powder (or a tablet) dissolved in water is excellent stuff for removing stains without abrading the gel-coat.

 

[pandroid]

We give the thing a good wash with (mild) boat shampoo or washing up liquid, followed by an immediate application of Maguires RV Polish. This removes the remaining dirt and leaves a polished surface behind. A couple of coats of wax (Maguires again) seals it for the season. Y10 gets any stains off the waterline and Heavy duty cleaner gets more stubborn stains out, but I havent needed to use either recently. If you get a good enough wax on, most dirt doesnt stick.

I've tried many cleaners over the years and we were reccomended the ones above after having to have the boat professionally cleaned following my previous efforts which resulted in just pushing dirt around. The main secret is to use terry towels, not that stockingette you get from chandlers. (Rip up an old towel into foot square pieces, use one bit for putting the stuff on, and another for buffing it off, and change it as soon as the bit gets dirty. Put all the bits in the washing machine afterwards and they are as good as new.)

Finally, get the wife/girlfriend to do it. Women are more thorough than men - and I find it much less work!