Spring splash, am I forgetting anything?
- Thread starter hack4alivin
- Start date
I will start with a cleaner wax first, I use “Meguairs Flagship Clean / Wax” for this step. For most this does an excellent job by itself, but I get carried away when waxing and go with an additional and final coat using “Starbrite Premium with PTEF”. This is my favorite and after using the cleaner/wax on the colored portion of the hull and coming back with the Starbrite you can really see the difference in the shine it brings out.
Rono007
New Member
Bill - I like the advice you have. Since my boat isn't oxidized, is this the steps I should take first for my first wax on this new-to-me boat? My hull isn't colored and I'm not really looking to go crazy this first year. I really just need to wax and shine her up. Do you use "elbow grease" for these products, or do you use a orbital or rotary?
I owe you something for all this advice you have been sharing.
skibum
Well-Known Member
I use the same products in the reverse order. I start with the Starbright polish on first, and then I finish it off with the Meguires Flagship (although I am not sure if mine is the cleaner/wax, or just regular wax). The shine lasted all season last year.
The part I liked the best was that just a dab of the Meguires on a clean rag removed black streaks and spider poop really easy for the rest of the summer.
Oh yeah, and tell Sandy that the guys on CSR recommend a "Brazilian".
And we apologize in advance for making you sleep on the couch. I hope it is only for one night...
The part I liked the best was that just a dab of the Meguires on a clean rag removed black streaks and spider poop really easy for the rest of the summer.
Oh yeah, and tell Sandy that the guys on CSR recommend a "Brazilian".
And we apologize in advance for making you sleep on the couch. I hope it is only for one night...
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I will go with the clean/wax and then follow up with the Starbrite right away. When the boat is up on blocks I can get both sides of the hull done in a day. Then I have to go relax my arms with some heavy lifting of beer cans!
- Oct 3, 2006
- 4,404
- Boat Info
- 280 Sundancer, Westerbeke MPV generator
- Engines
- twin 5.0's w/BIII drives
Nice list.
- Check your onboard spare parts such as spare navigation light bulbs, oil, etc.
- Check onboard safety equipment such as first aid kit, flairs and fire extinguishers (previously mentioned)
- Schedule a free vessel safety inspection http://www.safetyseal.net/
- If you drink from the onboard fresh water system you may want to sanitize it.
1. Use a solution of 1 pint Purex or Clorox bleach to 25 gallons of water). With tank empty, pour chlorine solution into tank.
2. Complete filling of tank with fresh water. Open each faucet and drain cock until air has been released and the entire system is filled. Do not turn off the pump; it must remain on to keep the system pressurized and the solution in the lines
3. Allow to stand for at least three hours, but no longer than 24 hours.
4. Drain through every faucet on the boat (and if you haven't done this in a while, it's a good idea to remove any diffusion screens from the faucets, because what's likely to come out will clog them). Fill the tank again with fresh water only, drain again through every faucet on the boat.
5. To remove excess chlorine taste or odor which might remain, prepare a solution of one quart white vinegar to five gallons water and allow this solution to agitate in tank for several days.
6. Drain tank again through every faucet, and flush the lines again by filling the tank 1/4-1/2 full and again flushing with potable water.
An annual or semi-annual re-commissioning according to the above directions is all that should be necessary to keep your water tasting and smelling as good as anything that comes out of any faucet on land. If you need to improve on that, install a water filter. Just remember that a filter is not a substitute for cleaning out the system, and that filters require regular inspection and cleaning or replacement.
Thanks for that procedure Pres. The chlorine sanitizer you buy at the Marine or RV store is cheap and goes a long way. The fresh water tank is relatively small, so it helps every week to drain completely through every faucet, fill with new water, and put in a capfull of sanitizer. You'll never have a problem. Chlorine gasses off and dissipates as it oxidizes free radicals, so just because you have it in there, doesn't mean you are protected. It just takes hours for an algea bloom to occur in a nice warm fresh water tank.
Sundancer
Well-Known Member
- Jul 20, 2005
- 2,909
- Boat Info
- 34 year old CLASSIC 300 DA, towed almost anywhere behind the Duramax Dually Crew Cab.
- Engines
- 16 cyl, 700 cu. in./Alpha I's
I clean our water tank in the spring and use it every weekend! I'm one of the few that actually DRINK the water from the tank and I've never had a problem or needed to sanitize it during the season. We drain the water each week and then refill prior to heading out at the beginning of a weekend. Water sitting in my tank or the city tank makes no difference if the system is clean. I have always refused to allow water bottles on board because they are additional weight, space and refuse that is a waste in my opinion. Some folks think that's just gross and crazy. Fine! I'm both!
Your sanitation procedure is excellent except for this. Vinegar is a weak acid that when mixed with bleach will release chorline gas. Flushing the tank an extra time with water will accomplish the same thing and not engage in chemical warfare! Plus vinegar smells worse to me than chorine really doesn't taste much better. :grin:
I use the Flagship as my base cleaner and wax first and even on a non-colored hull it will make your boat look like new. On mine I pay special addition to the colored hull, and I take the extra steps here. After the Flagship is used, I then go with the Starbite as a sealer and UV protection (fading). I use a 10” Ryobi Orbital buffer, but after I removed the polish by hand first, then the buffer with a new pad.
BTW, you don’t “owe” me anything; this is what CSR is all about. Remember also these are the methods I use; other people have methods that work just as well for them. Have fun with the waxing!
Eddy
New Member
Is their a Canadian outlet that sells canvas cleaner, same merchandise that West Marine sells....I bought a cabin heater from West Marine which is great but I ended up paying besides shipping another $28.00 on a bill from customs, didn't know about that? On top of the price of the heater I paid about $65 shipping and customs,near the same price as the heater.
Thanks
Ed
Thanks
Ed
Nehalennia
Well-Known Member
- Aug 22, 2007
- 10,006
- Boat Info
- 2001 310DA twin 350 MAGs, Westerbeke 4.5KW
- Engines
- Twin 350 MAG V-drives
I assume that your engines were winterized? If so I assume the blue manifold drain plugs were removed? Make sure you reinstall them.
Capt Bob F
Member
- Oct 14, 2009
- 210
- Boat Info
- 2005 Sundancer 340, Raymarine Chartplotter, Auto Pilot, Bow Thruster, Sat TV
2008 Whaler 13'
- Engines
- 8.1 Horizon MerCruiser V-drives
I'M a BIG fan of SD 20!!! Good Stuff...
Alegria
Well-Known Member
Bill is she in yet? I am planning on pulling the wrap off this weekend. Putting up the canvas and starting on compounding the top sides. There is some oxidation that I need to get off then polish, then wax them. The hull looks good, polish and wax should do it. Then onto painting the bottom and zincs and I should be good. Going to change the port impeller as I had that low raw water flow last year that still persists...
Did that!
Yesterday while checking out the bilge I found the starboard side blower not working, so I replaced that. After getting it to run I was not getting much of a flow from the outside vent. Well I climbed back in there again, which is not easy job by the way, pulled the hose back off and proceed to pull one hell of a lot of grass (birds nest) out of the hose, problem fixed. I will need to get another, better fixing, type of screen to put on the outside this year.
While doing all of that I noticed the gasket around the fuel sender on the starboard tank is bad (does it ever end!), that will get fixed this week. She is scheduled to splash Friday, and I will not fire up the engines until that is fixed!
xravenx
Member
Maybe you should wait for better weather (from WJZ -Baltimore)
Yea.... It just sucks don't it? Saturday, trips out to Maxwells for a beer??? What do you think?
xravenx
Member
Sounds good Bill.........my arms may not be able to lift one by then. I'm going to be in a waxing frenzy Saturday.
John
John
