whats a good way to clean a white fiberglass boat?

[InBassPursuit]

I have a small white older Skeeter bass boat and like to keep it looking nice. It's been more than a year since I polished it and don't really like the job. Usually I just use laundry soap and water to clean it but I believe it also removes any polish and leaves it dull looking..
Any ideas other than just soap and water?

[KChookem]

I'd start by contacting the manufacturer and see what they recommend for your particular boat and finish. They may have info on a website.

If that does not work for you, I'd go to a well supplied marine outfit and see what products you think would work for your finish. West Marine has a large selection of products you can view online. You may find good info on a product website, like Meguiar's.

If heavily oxidaized, I suspect you start with one of the oxidation removers, then a cleaner, then a wax, and maybe a polish. There are also combined products liek a cleaner/wax. I've used Mequiar products for boats and they seem to do the trick, although once oxidation starts, I've never been able to keep a finish that lasts and lasts.

[backlash442]

I used to have an off white fiberglass boat. I used simple green to wash it. Waxed it with turtle wax. Personally don't think you need to go out and spend the money for a boat wax or polish. Waxed it a couple of times a year but not all at once as there was a lot of glass. Looked almost new when I sold it. BTW boat was run exclusively in saltwater.

[ET]

Everytime I wash the boat I've been using an automobile wash & wax liquid on my Arima for years now and it saves a lot of elbow grease. I give the boat a good wax maybe once per year but the wash&wax after every few trips seems to keep the fiberglass shiny and the water beading all year long.

[Beer Waggin]

Use a good wax and you'll only need to wax it once every couple years in fresh water...
Search Collinite on the web. Their fiberglass cleaner is the best to remove spots prior to waxing.
Pastes will out last any liquid wax. More work, but not twice the work.
Woody Wax also makes some great products, especially if you have non-slip areas that need protection.

I use Collinite 885 Fleetwax on the hull and interior. Woody Wax on my non-slip deck and Collinite 845 Insulator Wax on all my aluminum and stainless.

[Rubber Boot]

It's important that the gelcoat is clean before you wax it. I work for a Fiberglass Fabbricator that has a very good gelcoat cleaner. PM me and I will tell you where you can get it in Eugene. It really works on gelcoat better than any thing else ive seen. (25 years in the industry)

[jdstrd]

thanx for the info

[Starfish]

There's a guy on walleye central (moniker, appropriately enough, is Skeeter) that has a line of products designed for cleaning boats... reputed to be quite good although I've never tried them. (Anyone who has fished with me will attest that I like to "season" my boats rather than keep them pretty.)

[3riversBob]

PM sent!

Bob