Need beginning-of-the-season detailing advice.

[Seas]

Sounds like most of you are going to be having a great time at the river this weekend and over spring break. I'm so damn jealous of all of you as our first trip won't be until the end of April and the Desert Storm Poker Run weekend. So instead of agonizing how much fun you all will be having without me, I'm contemplating how I'm going to detail the boat and trailer this spring to get it ready for the year.

My questions are these:

1. Do any of you clay your boat's surface?

2. Do any of you strip off the old layers of wax accumulated over the previous year before applying fresh wax?

3. My once shiny stainless exhaust mufflers are dull and scaly. What do you use to bring back the shine?

Keep in mind my boat is only a year old and is stored inside under a cover. The gelcoat is in great shape and I don't plan on using any polish, just claying to remove any surface contaminents.

I'm admittedly anal about waxing my boat and usually apply a paste or liquid wax several times throughout the season. Since I use either distilled water or Hot Sauce to wipe the boat down at the end of the day I shouldn't be removing any wax (as you would if using a water & vinegar mix) during the season so I didn't know if there is a build-up of wax layers over the past year that should be stripped at the beginning of the season before applying a fresh coat or two before my first trip out.

I've tried scrubbing the thru-transon exhaust mufflers with CLR, Lime-Away, and Flitz with very limited success. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Wes

[Essex502]

Wes - I gave you the secret formula I use on the stainless steel mufflers! Did you forget? I've also tried Metal Armour that was recommended on one of the Spike TV's weekend morning shows (forgot which) but didn't work as well as the secret stuff.

I don't know how well a clay bar would work on fiberglass but it does wonders for paint. I use one periodically on the Bimmer (Griot's Garage as you know!) with the Porter Cable random orbital buffer.

I don't specifically strip the old wax though it does get stripped on the transom through the use of Simple Green to clean the excess soot that accumulates from the exhaust.

As for waxes, I've used a bunch of different ones but I still think my favorite (haven't yet tried the newest Boat Bling product!) is Waxing Frenzy. Easy on and easy off with great protection. I've also used the Meguire's marine products with good success. Stay away - far away - from the liquid 3M Marine that Howard uses. It certainly is easy on but very, very difficult to buff off.

Boat Bling Hot Sauce after every dunking for sure.

[jrgaudettes]

Wes - I gave you the secret formula I use on the stainless steel mufflers! Did you forget? I've also tried Metal Armour that was recommended on one of the Spike TV's weekend morning shows (forgot which) but didn't work as well as the secret stuff.

I don't know how well a clay bar would work on fiberglass but it does wonders for paint. I use one periodically on the Bimmer (Griot's Garage as you know!) with the Porter Cable random orbital buffer.

I don't specifically strip the old wax though it does get stripped on the transom through the use of Simple Green to clean the excess soot that accumulates from the exhaust.

As for waxes, I've used a bunch of different ones but I still think my favorite (haven't yet tried the newest Boat Bling product!) is Waxing Frenzy. Easy on and easy off with great protection. I've also used the Meguire's marine products with good success. Stay away - far away - from the liquid 3M Marine that Howard uses. It certainly is easy on but very, very difficult to buff off.

Boat Bling Hot Sauce after every dunking for sure.

Same with Mike, I use the Meguire's marine wax. Easy on and off.

[kevnmcd]

Easiest stuff I have ever used it Driven Marine Polish with Hot Sauce after every use!

[Essex502]

I've tried Driven on the boat but wasn't impressed. I used the balance of the bottle on the truck. Waxing Frenzy which I got from John (Warlock25) on Hot Boat or available at Waxing Frenzy (http://hammerheadboatworks.com/waxing_frenzy_.html)

[LASINC]

I haven't used Waxing Frenzy yet, but I use WashWax to wax my boat. Its easy, fast an good. But I still use Hot Sauce on every trip.

[BigSoundRacing]

White vinager will remove the wax, the mineral spots and the tarnish on the stainless - spray it on, rub it for ten minutes, wash with SOAP and water afterwards. $1.29 gallon at Bashas.

But it will not cut through grease.

BSR

[Havasu Dreamin]

Awwwww.....screw it.....easier to pay a detail guy to do it.....Yes, I'm one lazy jackass.....:poke_eye: :rollinglaugh:

[Essex502]

I haven't used Waxing Frenzy yet, but I use WashWax to wax my boat. Its easy, fast an good. But I still use Hot Sauce on every trip.

I still have the better part of a gallon of WashWaxAll that I used religiously before the Hot Sauce revolution! Very good stuff but the Hot Sauce is even better though WWA smells much better! <hint to Patrick!>

[Seas]

[QUOTE=Essex502;126884]Wes - I gave you the secret formula I use on the stainless steel mufflers! Did you forget? I've also tried Metal Armour that was recommended on one of the Spike TV's weekend morning shows (forgot which) but didn't work as well as the secret stuff.

Mike,

Check your e-mail please.
Thanks!

Wes

[Essex502]

[QUOTE=Essex502;126884]Wes - I gave you the secret formula I use on the stainless steel mufflers! Did you forget? I've also tried Metal Armour that was recommended on one of the Spike TV's weekend morning shows (forgot which) but didn't work as well as the secret stuff.

Mike,

Check your e-mail please.
Thanks!

Wes

Can't check it from the office but will tonight. I expect you'll be wantin' the secret ingredients!

Patrick....here's a good product for the Bling! Chrome and stainless is everywhere!

[scarabrick]

essex502

Can I get the secret ingredients for the cleaning of sst? I'm a big fan (user)of all of patricks cleaning sauce. Need to try some on my bro hallett mufflers.

Thanks,
Rick

[Essex502]

Rick - It's a product I picked up at a Hot Rod show and found it to be the best thing for the Gibson stainless steel mufflers to remove the crust that builds up.

http://www.polishplus.com/images/ploish.jpg

[scarabrick]

Thanks
Can I get this product in town?
I'll search the web also.

Rick

[Essex502]

Web available - just search on the name. I always find it at Car Shows and conventions - Like the Fred Hall Fishing and Tackle Show in Long Beach. Shouldn't be too hard to find. Takes a little elbow grease in real stubborn situations but the shine is outstanding as some of the others on the board that have tried it or seen my Gibson's can attest. I've also used it on the aluminum diamond plate on the trailer with excellent results. It has a wee bit of an abrasive. Make sure to use their Sealer afterwards to maintain the shine.

[H20Advantage]

http://master-formula.com/english.htm