Sorry to post what to some may seem a trivial subject. I am interested in knowing what you consider is the best boat soap? My boat gets dirty easily as we are in the LAX flightpath. Any recomendations on what gets a dirty boat clean with the least effort? I know it's not going to clean itself and there is work involved but what makes it easier? Thanks for any suggestions. Big Joe
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Island Girl Pink!
Joe: Get a bottle of Island Girl Pink. This stuff works well on hard to remove grit & grime. I mix a little in a bucket of warm water and scrub the decks. If I have some stubborn spots I have some diluted strength in a spray bottle to help lift the tough spots.
Joe: Get a bottle of Island Girl Pink. This stuff works well on hard to remove grit & grime. I mix a little in a bucket of warm water and scrub the decks. If I have some stubborn spots I have some diluted strength in a spray bottle to help lift the tough spots.
I have a problem
My biggest problem is bird poop. The like to roost on the spreaders. Also have a problem with blue herons walking around on deck, and when they go, man they go. I use a little liquid dishwashing soap, with a little bleach mixed in. Works as good as anything I have found. There is no magic elixir, and some elbow grease is required.
My biggest problem is bird poop. The like to roost on the spreaders. Also have a problem with blue herons walking around on deck, and when they go, man they go. I use a little liquid dishwashing soap, with a little bleach mixed in. Works as good as anything I have found. There is no magic elixir, and some elbow grease is required.
Arm and Hammer
I found that Arm and Hammer powder laundry detergent with no fragrance or dye is excellent for cleaning decks and bleaching weathered teak. It is touted as being bio-degradable. That said, even bio-degradable detergents can be harmful to fresh water. They are less harmful to salt water where they break down faster. I use about 1/4 cup to 3 gallons of warm water. Wash small areas and rinse often.
I found that Arm and Hammer powder laundry detergent with no fragrance or dye is excellent for cleaning decks and bleaching weathered teak. It is touted as being bio-degradable. That said, even bio-degradable detergents can be harmful to fresh water. They are less harmful to salt water where they break down faster. I use about 1/4 cup to 3 gallons of warm water. Wash small areas and rinse often.
Magic Elixer
I posted this a week or so ago. Greased Lightning is the " bee's knee's ". I wet the boat and spray GL, open a beer, drink half of it. I then grab the hose and wash down and its clean. Those little spider poo dots drool away, bird crap erodes. Greased Lightning is "dirt" cheap! Its worth a try. You will be satisfied. Rob Hessenius
I posted this a week or so ago. Greased Lightning is the " bee's knee's ". I wet the boat and spray GL, open a beer, drink half of it. I then grab the hose and wash down and its clean. Those little spider poo dots drool away, bird crap erodes. Greased Lightning is "dirt" cheap! Its worth a try. You will be satisfied. Rob Hessenius
That's a very loaded question
First you need to decide if you want your boat easy to clean in the future. If you do, a good deck wax like Woody Wax will be required first. Soap options for a waxed boat include "West Marine Crystal Boat Wash" and IMAR Yacht Soap Concentrate (#401). These are the only two soaps that I have found not to destroy or eat a waxed finish and the Imar is the least offensive to the wax yet it still does an excellent job. If you don't wax your boat any soap mentioned will work but be careful with some of the suggestions mentioned as they can be harmful to metals and aluminum, dodger windows and acrylic or lexan....
First you need to decide if you want your boat easy to clean in the future. If you do, a good deck wax like Woody Wax will be required first. Soap options for a waxed boat include "West Marine Crystal Boat Wash" and IMAR Yacht Soap Concentrate (#401). These are the only two soaps that I have found not to destroy or eat a waxed finish and the Imar is the least offensive to the wax yet it still does an excellent job. If you don't wax your boat any soap mentioned will work but be careful with some of the suggestions mentioned as they can be harmful to metals and aluminum, dodger windows and acrylic or lexan....
Thanks to all resoponders
Thanks so much for the suggestions mates. I appreciate you all. Regards, Big Joe
Thanks so much for the suggestions mates. I appreciate you all. Regards, Big Joe
Woody Wax Ultra-Pine is my choice
I'm a big fan of most of the Island Girl Products but I don't find Pink as a very satisfactory general cleaner. It's great for spot cleaning though. The best boat soap I have found is Woody Wax ultra - pine. Very pleased with this product but a bit pricey as boat soaps go. However a little bit goes a long way.
I'm a big fan of most of the Island Girl Products but I don't find Pink as a very satisfactory general cleaner. It's great for spot cleaning though. The best boat soap I have found is Woody Wax ultra - pine. Very pleased with this product but a bit pricey as boat soaps go. However a little bit goes a long way.
Thanks DWJ
never thought about a fungicide / antibacterial in boat soap. Would certainly help retard the growth of mildew and that damn 'artillery fungus' (those damn 'black specks') that grows all over Chesapeake berthed boats in spring. Gotta try some. The typical antibacterials in 'soap' aren't true antibiotics but cellulose derivatives that are fairly 'bio-safe' for the environment, etc. thanks for the info/posting.
never thought about a fungicide / antibacterial in boat soap. Would certainly help retard the growth of mildew and that damn 'artillery fungus' (those damn 'black specks') that grows all over Chesapeake berthed boats in spring. Gotta try some. The typical antibacterials in 'soap' aren't true antibiotics but cellulose derivatives that are fairly 'bio-safe' for the environment, etc. thanks for the info/posting.
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