Cleaning Products for Fiberglass Boats

[Spot]

Getting ready to sail and liveaboard for a week. Boat has not been cleaned inside   for years during the de- and re- construction phases and outside since last year.

Outside gel coat usually just needs dish soap and water and a sponge. Inside is painted wood, painted fiberglass, and the seedy polyester resin and plywood underpinnings of a 1970s kit boat.

What's best for the inside? Someone cleaned the scuffs off my epoxy table with something Clorox-y today. I think something a little stronger than dish soap may be in order.

Appreciate people's ideas on the subject!

[Brian N.]

I'm not a cleaning expert, but some general principles do apply: Grime and grease are tackled with detergents (dishwashing liquids such as Dawn). Non-scratch powders are great for hard surfaces with stuff that does not come off with detergents. Pads like Mr. Clean Magic Eraser work very well on scuff marks but are aggressive. Non scratch liquids work well on fiberglass and hard surfaces but again are aggressive and should be tested. Oxidizing cleaners are great for fabrics, molds and stains and don't leave a chlorine smell. A paste made with borax does the same, but must be rinsed. NEVER use soap. Porous surfaces such as untreated wood are tough. Damp rag with Dawn, wipe dry then spray with Lysol to prevent mold.

You can visit the cleaning product isle at Lowes, Home Depot, WM or even your local supermarket, but you can drive yourself nuts going through a thousand products. Hope this was useful.

Quick Edit: Most of the "Magic" cleaning sprays sold on TV, QVC, Amazon or off the retail shelf are either detergents or oxi cleaners. Also be careful with vinegar solutions (unless you like your boat to smell like salad dressing) and alcohol based cleaners are powerful solvents and may not be compatible, with all surfaces. Same with acetone. I would avoid chlorine based products, unless your goal is to sanitize. And, Oxygenating products also sanitize well.

[Spot]

Thanks Brian. Yes, that aisle could be quite confusing! Tomorrow looks good for a Walmart run...