Is there a product that cleans and waxes fiberglass in one step and is long lasting? Also, what is the best way to clean the sails? Thank you.
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Lotsa them but
Bob: There are plenty of them out there. Just go to your local marine shop and look at the waxes that that they sell. Most of them will *clean and wax* in a single step. The problem with these is that they usually only last a few weeks and then you are doing it again. Check out the store on the web site and look at the Island Girl Products. I put some of this stuff on our boat 2 years ago and you can still tell the difference. The gel coat is smooth. You can then just apply any ol' stuff on it to clean it up periodically. If you follow their methods you will have something that will look good for years to come.
Bob: There are plenty of them out there. Just go to your local marine shop and look at the waxes that that they sell. Most of them will *clean and wax* in a single step. The problem with these is that they usually only last a few weeks and then you are doing it again. Check out the store on the web site and look at the Island Girl Products. I put some of this stuff on our boat 2 years ago and you can still tell the difference. The gel coat is smooth. You can then just apply any ol' stuff on it to clean it up periodically. If you follow their methods you will have something that will look good for years to come.
R
Randy
I use Meguiars
Bob-- I've used Meguiars one step cleaner wax for years on different boats. While it might not be the ultimate in long lasting protection, it does a good job. If you apply it thoroughly (w/ lots of elbow grease) it lasts through the season. In addition to protecting the gel coat, it will remove minor oxidation, dirt, stains, etc. Just make sure the hull is washed and dried thoroughly before waxing. Randy
Bob-- I've used Meguiars one step cleaner wax for years on different boats. While it might not be the ultimate in long lasting protection, it does a good job. If you apply it thoroughly (w/ lots of elbow grease) it lasts through the season. In addition to protecting the gel coat, it will remove minor oxidation, dirt, stains, etc. Just make sure the hull is washed and dried thoroughly before waxing. Randy
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John Allison
That Time of Year
I guess it is that time of year again .... Lord, this has been a long winter. I have read a lot about Island Girl recently and, based on comments from trusted sources such as Steve D., those products must be good. But, we all have our favorites. I like to start with 3M's "Fiberglass Cleaner and Wax". Both West Marine and Boat US handle this product. I put it on with a rag and use a buffer to take it to a shiny finish. However, even though it is a good wax and I have had it last a full season, I follow this with Starbrite's "Premium Marine Poish and Teflon". The results of both produce a deeeeeep, slighly off white shine that lasts the season through and still looks good when you pull the boat. One coat is great, two produces a fantastic finish. My boat was pretty chaulky when I got it (1979 H25), and I used the 3M Product the first and second year. I have been using the combination of the two products ever since and each year it seems to look better. I use this same process topside on all surfaces that are not non-skid surfaces. For these surfaces, I used Starbrite's "Nonskid Deck Cleaner" and was quite happy with the results. As far as my sails go, I clean them myself except for every third year where I live it to the experts. Then, I take the sails in to my local sailmaker and have them cleaned, checked over and repaired as necessary. Comes out crisp and sparkling. The off years at the end of the season, I spread them out on the lawn and clean them with a formula provided by Jim Gardner (s/v CIAO BELLA) of 1/2 cup of Cascade dissolved in a gallon of WARM water (may have to dissolve granules in boiling hot water). Scrub them down on both sides with this solution using a ""SOFT"" bristle brush and then rinse thoroughly. Thanks Jim works great it leaves the sails bright and white.
I guess it is that time of year again .... Lord, this has been a long winter. I have read a lot about Island Girl recently and, based on comments from trusted sources such as Steve D., those products must be good. But, we all have our favorites. I like to start with 3M's "Fiberglass Cleaner and Wax". Both West Marine and Boat US handle this product. I put it on with a rag and use a buffer to take it to a shiny finish. However, even though it is a good wax and I have had it last a full season, I follow this with Starbrite's "Premium Marine Poish and Teflon". The results of both produce a deeeeeep, slighly off white shine that lasts the season through and still looks good when you pull the boat. One coat is great, two produces a fantastic finish. My boat was pretty chaulky when I got it (1979 H25), and I used the 3M Product the first and second year. I have been using the combination of the two products ever since and each year it seems to look better. I use this same process topside on all surfaces that are not non-skid surfaces. For these surfaces, I used Starbrite's "Nonskid Deck Cleaner" and was quite happy with the results. As far as my sails go, I clean them myself except for every third year where I live it to the experts. Then, I take the sails in to my local sailmaker and have them cleaned, checked over and repaired as necessary. Comes out crisp and sparkling. The off years at the end of the season, I spread them out on the lawn and clean them with a formula provided by Jim Gardner (s/v CIAO BELLA) of 1/2 cup of Cascade dissolved in a gallon of WARM water (may have to dissolve granules in boiling hot water). Scrub them down on both sides with this solution using a ""SOFT"" bristle brush and then rinse thoroughly. Thanks Jim works great it leaves the sails bright and white.
C
CAPTIAN BOB
Try putting some elbow grease into it.
How lazy can you get? I've seen you at the dock watching your friend and son do all the hard work on the boat while you sit back,drink a beer, and fill the water tank.Try getting off your butt,putting some elbow grease into it and doing some of the work.There are many good products out there to use, but I guess none are as easy as letting someone else do the hard work. Cap. Bob
How lazy can you get? I've seen you at the dock watching your friend and son do all the hard work on the boat while you sit back,drink a beer, and fill the water tank.Try getting off your butt,putting some elbow grease into it and doing some of the work.There are many good products out there to use, but I guess none are as easy as letting someone else do the hard work. Cap. Bob
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John McDaris
waxin
The one step stuff does not last very long. Last year I used the compound and wax by Dolphin, It really put a nice shine to my 84 Hunter, plus I did not get the east coast ring on my bow that I have gotten in previous season.
The one step stuff does not last very long. Last year I used the compound and wax by Dolphin, It really put a nice shine to my 84 Hunter, plus I did not get the east coast ring on my bow that I have gotten in previous season.
D
Dave Laing s/v WindSong
Here's Trick for Clean Sails!
If you're lucky enough to have a swimming pool it makes sail cleaning a lot easier. I dump my sails in the pool and let them soak for a short time, pull them out and rinse with clear water. Be careful that you haven't recently added pool chemicals as they may harm your sails if they are too concetrated. Dave Laing s/v WindSong
If you're lucky enough to have a swimming pool it makes sail cleaning a lot easier. I dump my sails in the pool and let them soak for a short time, pull them out and rinse with clear water. Be careful that you haven't recently added pool chemicals as they may harm your sails if they are too concetrated. Dave Laing s/v WindSong
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Mickey Goodman
Sail Cleaning
I have a Legend 37 with a main sail area of about 400 sq feet (don't hold me to the exact footage). A year ago January, 2000 I sent my sail to a company called SailCare to clean and re-resin the sail. The sail was about 13 years old with about 1/2 life left in it; not very stiff. They cleaned and re-resined the sail for $.85 a sq foot or about $340.00. The sail came back looking brand new and as stiff as the new Genoa I purchased. They said the re-resining would last 3 to 4 years before it had to be done again. At a little over $110 a year it was sure worth it to me. I have had sailboats for over 30 years and never had as good results from a cleaning as they did. If they sold stock in their company I would buy some, they got to perform better then the rest of the stock market. They advertise in sailing magazines. If you can't find their info Email me and I will look it up. Good luck.
I have a Legend 37 with a main sail area of about 400 sq feet (don't hold me to the exact footage). A year ago January, 2000 I sent my sail to a company called SailCare to clean and re-resin the sail. The sail was about 13 years old with about 1/2 life left in it; not very stiff. They cleaned and re-resined the sail for $.85 a sq foot or about $340.00. The sail came back looking brand new and as stiff as the new Genoa I purchased. They said the re-resining would last 3 to 4 years before it had to be done again. At a little over $110 a year it was sure worth it to me. I have had sailboats for over 30 years and never had as good results from a cleaning as they did. If they sold stock in their company I would buy some, they got to perform better then the rest of the stock market. They advertise in sailing magazines. If you can't find their info Email me and I will look it up. Good luck.
T
ted
woolworths sell it - look no further.
quick wash with boat soap. light compound if and where necessary. collinite fibreglass cleaner and then preferably two coats of collinite heavy duty fleetwax. a bit old fashioned but tried everything else but come back to this every time. tried cleaner/waxes and all that. use the wax well and you should not have to compound again in the future. last year two coats of the wax - if not time one coat will do this year to see well for next 12 months. can buy a can of elbow grease from woolworths. heard yesterday home depot have it on sale next week. done car yesterday with this system - never looked as good and ready for another polishing this coming autumn before winter. use only best quality bottom paint suitable for your area even if a bit more expensive. will sve stripping every two or three years. preparation the most important. if an extra hour every year after bottom is good - it should not need stripping more than once every ten years. proved that myself! sail cleaning. after using the wifes sewing machine for nicks, chafing spots, etc. plenty of advice on h.w.o. archives. we usually give to sail maker who washes, repairs and checks over every year for about seventy dollars. if washing yourself, use the bathroom tub when the wife is out. be very careful re chemicals, etc. ted.
quick wash with boat soap. light compound if and where necessary. collinite fibreglass cleaner and then preferably two coats of collinite heavy duty fleetwax. a bit old fashioned but tried everything else but come back to this every time. tried cleaner/waxes and all that. use the wax well and you should not have to compound again in the future. last year two coats of the wax - if not time one coat will do this year to see well for next 12 months. can buy a can of elbow grease from woolworths. heard yesterday home depot have it on sale next week. done car yesterday with this system - never looked as good and ready for another polishing this coming autumn before winter. use only best quality bottom paint suitable for your area even if a bit more expensive. will sve stripping every two or three years. preparation the most important. if an extra hour every year after bottom is good - it should not need stripping more than once every ten years. proved that myself! sail cleaning. after using the wifes sewing machine for nicks, chafing spots, etc. plenty of advice on h.w.o. archives. we usually give to sail maker who washes, repairs and checks over every year for about seventy dollars. if washing yourself, use the bathroom tub when the wife is out. be very careful re chemicals, etc. ted.
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