PGISLANDERS BURGEE PGISLANDERS NAME

Stuff That Works

How to keep your boat looking great!

The below ideas were captured from PGIslanders and presented to the general membership on March 6, 2008:

Gelcoat:

  1. For non-chalked areas, Nu Finish, or any other general wax.
  2. For chalked areas, remove the chalk with Soft Scrub on wet sponge, followed by wax.
  3. Thick coats of wax last longer but are harder to buff off, so use buffer.
  4. Collinite Fleet Wax
  5. Sno Bowl/Tidy Bowl takes off rust stains.
  6. FSR takes off stains
  7. Pool acid (50% diluted)
  8. Y10

Stainless Steel:

  1. Collinite Metal Wax
  2. Miracle Cloth (BoatUS/WM) Practical Sailor recommends
  3. 3M Fiberglass Restorer Wax
  4. Nevr-Dull, George Basch Co. Good on all metals.
  5. Light use of Soft Scrub will get rid of stains. Follow with wax
  6. Don’t use green pad!
  7. Mary Kate’s Metal Mate
  8. Brasso
  9. Wichard Paste
  10. West Marine sells a stainless steel cleaner in individually wrapped pads. Name?
  11. Toothbrush is helpful to get in cracks

Aluminum:

  1. Keep it waxed to protect
  2. 3M Aluminum Restorer & Wax
  3. Be careful not to take any finish off aluminum. Abrasives will scratch/dull the finish.
  4. Protect with Woody Wax
  5. Aluma Guard (Boater’s World. Boston Whaler recommended)

Glass:

  1. Mild soap & water. Dry quickly. Synthetic chamois works well. Spots come as water dries and leaves contaminates.
  2. Car wax helps keeping spots from forming, makes it easier to clean.
  3. Clean inside windows to keep clear.
  4. Rinse with distilled water. No spots.
  5. Wash with baby shampoo
  6. RainX on glass, but not on plastic.

Isinglass/Strataglass/Plastic Windows:

  1. Mild soap & water. No Simple Green, Pinesol, etc.
  2. IMAR Strataglass Protective Cleaner. Works well, restores polymer.
  3. 303
  4. Car wax
  5. Toothpaste to remove scratches
  6. Scratch Out (Kit) Use care on Strataglass.
  7. Pledge – Can cause to get hard after time
  8. Don’t use RainEx!

Canvas/Sunbrella:

  1. Hose off regularly.
  2. Mild soap & water: Gal water, ¼ c mild soap (Ivory, Deft, Woolite)
  3. Add ¼ c chlorine for mildew. Try to keep off thread. Chlorine rots out thread, except Tenera.
  4. Treat with 303 Fabric Guard
  5. Don’t get canvas too tight! Stretches thread holes and causes leaks

Zippers:

  1. 303
  2. Zippy Cool
  3. Chapstick
  4. Bees Wax
  5. StarBrite Zipper Lube
  6. Spray Silicone

Teak:

  1. Exterior Natural finish:
    1. Don’t scrub with stiff brush, especially with grain
    2. Soft scrub with bleach
    3. Teak Oil (except deck surfaces)
    4. Spic & Span to clean deck surfaces
    5. TSP-Tri sodium phosphate works well
  2. Exterior Protective Finish:
    1. Everyone has a different technique and favorite product
    2. Cetol is popular, especially Cetol Lite
    3. Varnish
    4. Key is to keep moisture from getting under surface
  3. Interior:
    1. Teak Oil
    2. Don’t use Liquid Gold – promotes mildew

Non-Skid Deck Surfaces:

  1. Soap & water
  2. Woody Wax
  3. Mary Kate’s On & Off

Dock Lines/Rope:

  1. Wash off with fresh water. Keep salt out of lines. Salt promotes mildew, wear.
  2. Soak in water & fabric softener.
  3. Store in dry location, if possible
  4. Hose down anchor line after use

Fenders:

  1. Keep covered/out of sun when not in use
  2. Soft Scrub w/bleach
  3. Acetone
  4. Westley’s Bleach White/Tire White
  5. 303
  6. 3M Vinyl Cleaner & Restorer
  7. Spray Nine (Practical Sailor)
  8. 3M Marine Outdoor Vinyl Cleaner, Conditioner & Protector
  9. Magic Eraser

Seat Cushions:

  1. Soft Scrub for vinyl surface
  2. Same as Sunbrella for cloth
  3. Test any use of chlorine/bleach
  4. Amazon for spots

General Cleaning:

  1. Salt Away
  2. Remove 5200 with Anti Bond
  3. Small electric 1200-1500 psi pressure cleaner
  4. Keep small dishes of vinegar around to keep mildew from forming
  5. Keep fans running to reduce mildew
  6. Paint thinner/mineral spirits will clean shore power cables, so will acetone.