OK. There's only about 2 1/2 feet of snow left between me and by Mac, so it's time to start thinking about getting her cleaned up.
I've seen Softscrub mentioned here quite a bit for removing oxidation and general clean up. Is this the Softscrub available in the grocery store or a marine specific product? A kitchen cleansor seems too easy...and cheap!
After the prep, I'm considering Poliglow or New Glass. They seem to have gotten rave reviews here. Plus I'm lazy and can't stand applying and buffing wax.
I don't belive Softscrub is all that much cheaper than a good marine cleaner/wax. Also, it's extremely abrasive and agressive and will cut through your gelcoat in a hurry; I don't think I would consider it except for stuff that won't clean up with the less agressive stuff.
Yea there is not a lot soft about softscrub. it is pretty abrasive..but held in a 'soft' medium. There are a lot of good products made for marine surfaces/gelcoat that are 'reasonable'. I try and use the least agressive product first and move up until I get the results I want.
For gelcoat wax/compound/polish I use and recommend a good DA polisher with appropriate pads. You will use less product, get better results, faster than you ever could by hand.
I was very anti-machine for years..once I tried it...I couldn't belive how fast I could do the job...as well getting far superior results.
Keep the softscrub in the kitchen.
For general cleanup for the gelcoat, I have had good luck with the west marine crystal boat wash and a soft brush for the smooth gelcoat and a stiffer deck brush for the non-skid surfaces
There are better choices than softscrub
Paul
Last edited by Paul S on Mon Mar 27, 2006 12:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I agree with paul. Softscrub is good for removing mold but a good polish is better for shining up your boat. If you have bad oxidation use a good compound followed by a polish.
I use 3m compound and polish available at any auto paint supply and most tool outlets.
I would only add that you might want to follow up the machine polishing with "Meguiar's Mirror Glaze". Make sure there's no polish or compounding residue on the boat - wash it thoroughly between polishing and glazing - and use a fresh, new bonnet - never use glaze with a bonnet that's seen compound or any other abrasive. Then follow that glaze with a good quality boat wax and you'll end up with a deep, rich shine you won't believe.
MirrorGlaze is a bodyman's beloved product - blends out any haze, fog or stray swirl marks and really puts on that final sparkle... great stuff - I've used it for years. Requires being good with a buffer though, so practice on a waste piece of fiberglass first if you're a newbie.
I had some nasty stains on my top sides where an old teal colored fender had marked my boat up pretty well during some high winds at the dock. I tried everything to get it off including softscrub, cleaning wax, goo be gone, lighter fluid...nothing worked...until...the baking soda. That got it off, probably a bit abrasive but I don't notice any scratching on my white hull. Great stuff, you can brush your teeth and neutralize bee stings (or jellyfish) with it too! And for that matter, use it to neutralize any battery acid spills.
