Favorite Boat Soap?

Tom.B · Apr 27, 2018

So what are yall’s pick for best/favorite boat soap? We just ran put of the pink WM stuff... it kinda sucks. We are using Bar Keeper’s Friend for non-skid areas now and it is working better than the Magic Erasers. Don’t worry, we are currently wax-free. Not by choice. I have been removing the old PolyGlow and still need to buff and wax this season. But for now, we still need a good soap for the rest of the boat.

Discuss.

Thanks!

Lou_tribal · Apr 27, 2018

Tom.B said:
So what are yall’s pick for best/favorite boat soap? We just ran put of the pink WM stuff... it kinda sucks. We are using Bar Keeper’s Friend for non-skid areas now and it is working better than the Magic Erasers. Don’t worry, we are currently wax-free. Not by choice. I have been removing the old PolyGlow and still need to buff and wax this season. But for now, we still need a good soap for the rest of the boat.

Discuss.

Thanks!

Spray Nine is like magic. Got some nasty brown tiny spot on the non skid deck when bought the lady. Tried everything to remove them (really everything) during the first year. Last year my dock neighbor told me that he was washing with spray nine, I tried it, a miracle!

L

gaston · Apr 27, 2018

Tom.B said:
So what are yall’s pick for best/favorite boat soap? We just ran put of the pink WM stuff... it kinda sucks. We are using Bar Keeper’s Friend for non-skid areas now and it is working better than the Magic Erasers. Don’t worry, we are currently wax-free. Not by choice. I have been removing the old PolyGlow and still need to buff and wax this season. But for now, we still need a good soap for the rest of the boat.

Discuss.

Thanks!

Ammonia should remove PolyGlow as its just like floor polish

Tom.B · Apr 27, 2018

gaston said:
Ammonia should remove PolyGlow as its just like floor polish

I used floor stripper... worked fine-ish. Got 95% of it. Now I just need to compound, polish, and wax. But this isn’t what we are here to talk about.

Tom.B · Apr 27, 2018

Lou_tribal said:
Spray Nine is like magic. Got some nasty brown tiny spot on the non skid deck when bought the lady. Tried everything to remove them (really everything) during the first year. Last year my dock neighbor told me that he was washing with spray nine, I tried it, a miracle!

L

When we wanted to remove soot last year...the WM guy said it was good too. But dang... it’s kinda ‘spensive to use for regular washinz. Ain’t it?

Lou_tribal · Apr 27, 2018

Tom.B said:
When we wanted to remove soot last year...the WM guy said it was good too. But dang... it’s kinda ‘spensive to use for regular washinz. Ain’t it?

Well at something like 18$CA (15$US) a gallon I don't find it expensive if I compare to what was using the PO (awlwash at 26$CA a quart).

L

RT Firefly · Apr 27, 2018

https://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=8132

You can get it with or w/o wax.

almightys · Apr 27, 2018

Chemical Guys CWS_107 Extreme Body Wash and Synthetic Wax Car Wash Shampoo (1 Gal) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003U4P3U0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_0y-4Ab6X1WDSZ

This can typically be had for $15 per gallon. Keeps the boat shiney and clean

mike66 · Apr 28, 2018

RT Firefly said:
https://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=8132

You can get it with or w/o wax.

I've been happy with the wax version. Smells nice too. Spray nine for the tough stuff.

siestakey · Apr 28, 2018

RT Firefly said:
https://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=8132

You can get it with or w/o wax.

This is our go to, we use spraynine for the tough stuff and dawn in the engine room

FlyWright · Apr 28, 2018

What's boat soap?

I think shine is grossly overrated...and a WHOLE lot of work! I prefer patina because every mark tells a story. And I could tell some great stories!

dhays · Apr 28, 2018

FlyWright said:
What's boat soap?

I think shine is grossly overrated...and a WHOLE lot of work! I prefer patina because every mark tells a story. And I could tell some great stories!

I'm with you Art. A clean boat is just a sign that someone has too much time on their hands. :socool:

FlyWright · Apr 28, 2018

dhays said:
I'm with you Art.

Who you callin' Art?

JustBob · Apr 28, 2018

almightys said:
Chemical Guys CWS_107 Extreme Body Wash and Synthetic Wax Car Wash Shampoo (1 Gal) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003U4P3U0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_0y-4Ab6X1WDSZ

This can typically be had for $15 per gallon. Keeps the boat shiney and clean

Thanks for the tip about Chemical Guys! They have a marine line:

https://www.chemicalguys.com/Boat_Marine_and_RV_s/621.htm

Including a wash/wax supposed to be enviro-friendly. Their "foam cannon" looks pretty interesting too.
'

Thinback · Apr 28, 2018

I use smoove boat wash, it smells good and doesn’t take the wax off.

dhays · Apr 28, 2018

I use Mermaid Boat Wash as it was recommended by the guy that did my wax job last year.

BruceK · Apr 28, 2018

The Admiral likes "Cussens Imperial Leather for Sensitive Skin".

Simi 60 · Apr 28, 2018

Timber boats love salt water and hate fresh so no washing for our old girl.

Simi 60 · Apr 28, 2018

dhays said:
I'm with you Art. A clean boat is just a sign that someone has too much time on their hands.

Absolutely.

almightys · Apr 28, 2018

JustBob said:
Thanks for the tip about Chemical Guys! They have a marine line:

https://www.chemicalguys.com/Boat_Marine_and_RV_s/621.htm

Including a wash/wax supposed to be enviro-friendly. Their "foam cannon" looks pretty interesting too.

'

I have the foam cannon which just uses a hose spray nozzle. Definitely makes cleaning boat quick

gaston · Apr 29, 2018

almightys said:
I have the foam cannon which just uses a hose spray nozzle. Definitely makes cleaning boat quick

I have a wife Definitely makes cleaning boat easy

Nomad Willy · Apr 29, 2018

Favorite boat soap is no soap at all.
You don’t need soap.
Just get an appropriate brush and add fresh water.
One could add a very small amount like 1/4 teaspoon per five gallons.
This makes water wet. Won’t bead up. Wet water is used in firefighting.

catalinajack · Apr 29, 2018

Nomad Willy said:
Favorite boat soap is no soap at all.
You don’t need soap.
Just get an appropriate brush and add fresh water.
One could add a very small amount like 1/4 teaspoon per five gallons.
This makes water wet. Won’t bead up. Wet water is used in firefighting.

I use a 2000 psi electric pressure washer. The gelcoat on my 1983 boat long since lost its shine and retains grime quite nicely. No soap and brush will remove the grime so completely as does the pressure washer. It's truly amazing to see the surfaces come back to white. The contrast is remarkable. This spring I also did the entire hull from waterline to gunwhales. She's looking good.

almightys · Apr 29, 2018

gaston said:
I have a wife Definitely makes cleaning boat easy

Lol mine is still in training apparently

Nomad Willy · Apr 29, 2018

catalinajack,
I would not apply a pressure washer to my boat. All that water under high pressure will find any ridiculously small crack or hole and injest water. Just an opinion though.

AusCan · Apr 30, 2018

Just water and a brush for me. I don’t really like filling the marina with suds.

catalinajack · Apr 30, 2018

Nomad Willy said:
catalinajack,
I would not apply a pressure washer to my boat. All that water under high pressure will find any ridiculously small crack or hole and injest water. Just an opinion though.

Yrs, there is that possibility but I have washed the boat this way several times and not had a problem. Plus, the boat is as clean as possible. Soap and brush does not clean nearly as well leaving the surfaces clearly still dingy and that after a lot of work. I'll continue to take my chances with the pressure washer but your point is well-taken.

Favorite Boat Soap?

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