Hull and Deck Cleaner Advice / Simple Green

[hotajax]

Admittedly this question isn't 100 per cent related to GW, but what is a good boat cleaner for the mop bucket? I need something to remove black marks from the First Mate's sandals, hoagie stains, grease, seaweed, fish slime, fish guts, sunblock, and an occasional stain from leaves falling in from overhead. Oh, and doesn't cost a hundred bucks a bottle. I understand that when the gel coat starts to deteriorate (old owner didn't wax) then the boat is more prone to staining. I have FSR Stain Remover for some heavier stains, but need a good general cleaner for the deck, gunwales, and hull.

Also need suggestions for a LIGHT rubbing compound.

A little sage info here -- was talking to some Navy guys the other day who do aircraft maintenance. They told me Simple Green, although an effective degreaser, is a corrosive with some metals.

 

[plymouthgrady]

CLEANER

I use Krazy Clean on everything on the boat and it works awesome.
As for a light compound, you can't go wrong with Yacht Brite.

 

[CJBROWN]

Hi Jake,
Simple Green is pretty mild, and works well as a degreaser. It's alkaline based, so in concentrate form it will tend to etch bare aluminum. Not a problem with your stainless and chrome/bronze fittings. I also don't think it's a problem for scrubbing and then rinsing, it may be more of an issue if you left it to soak on bare metal, especially aluminum.

Flynnaire recommended OR-Pine boat soap when I bought my boat from him. It does seem to work well for salt, and really cleans up the boat nicely. You might get a bottle and try it out. Even works in salt water. I had West Marine order me a bottle. Otherwise I use a high grade car wash soap I get by the gallon from top-of-the-line detailing products. You do have to be careful with detergents that will strip wax. If your gel coat is weathered and dull then it can be compounded and waxed.

I have always liked TR3 resin glaze for a light polishing compound. The stuff is pretty amazing for removing black marks and light scratches and abrasions. Works good for removing those white streaks you get on your hull when you rub up against those old white rubber dock guards. It's an old product in a low-tech can, usually on the bottom shelf of your retailer, and it's cheap. Give it a try, you'll love it. You might even find it at walmart :wink:

 

[capt chris]

For the minor stuff and the scuff marks I've found a Mr Clean Magic eraser to work wonders.

 

[jaydub]

Starbrite deck cleaner with teflon and Barkeepers Friend for any stains. I use Woody wax on the deck after cleaning it and it makes it easier to clean next time. My only complaint with Woody wax is it doesn't last too long.

 

[Brad1]

For the minor stuff and the scuff marks I've found a Mr Clean Magic eraser to work wonders.

Be careful using that product. There's a reason the manufactorer states "not for use on glossy surfaces" on the label. Use it only as a last resort.

 

[Reel Soon]

Simple green and Or-Pine

 

[Grog]

For the minor stuff and the scuff marks I've found a Mr Clean Magic eraser to work wonders.

Be careful using that product. There's a reason the manufactorer states "not for use on glossy surfaces" on the label. Use it only as a last resort.

Treat the magic eraser like a real fine schotch brite.

 

[HDGWJOE]

I second Or-Pine and I also use ajax and a scrub brush on the deck to get rid of the fish scales/ blood etc.

 

[GT]

I like or-pine, and I use softscrub with bleach sparingly on the tough spots

 

[Captain Blood]

I just got a bottle of 3M combo buffing agent and wax. I tried it on a small area of lightly oxidized topside and the test spot turned out really nice! I just took a buffing pad and applied it with a circular motion by hand without much pressure at all and then buffed it up with my cordless drill motor and a buffing pad.

 

[Captain Blood]

Update on the 3M wax/buffing agent. Apparently I needed to buy the one with more buffing compound in it. I bought the one for lightly oxidized finishes. They also have medium oxidation and heavy. Since my shoulder is about to fall off I think I will just have it professionally buffed out and then wax it myself with Rejex.

 

[Southern Hunter]

Simple Green

We've always used Simple Green for all of our boat applications and it works great!

 

[Stonewall]

Simple Green for the everyday stuff. Bar Keepers Friend for the really tough stains on the non-skid. As far as the Black Marks....tell the first mate to get another pair of shoes or be prepared to scrub, (that is unless the first mate is your Wife. )