www.iFourWinns.com

I want to take the next 2 months to really get her looking good. What have you all done to get that shine and clean look back, inside and out?

_________________
1996 Four Winns Horizon DLX
Volvo Penta

We could probably help more if we knew what specific issues you're trying to correct.

_________________


Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

My boat had years of dead bugs, dust, and spider poop on all surfaces when I got it. I used Scrubbing Bubbles on everything in the interior to get it clean. Then followed with a coat of wax for the fiberglass surfaces and 303 protectant for the vinyl. The 303 is great stuff. Keeps it looking like new.

On the outside it needed a good buffing and I was too chicken to try it for my first time on a blue hull. So I paid a professional to buff it out. Now it just needs a coat of wax twice a season and it stays looking good.

I used Soft Scrub with bleach for the non skid when I first got it to get the years of dirt off. Now just some quality boat soap and a scrub brush every couple weeks keeps it looking good.

_________________
2004 248 Vista "Amante"
MC 5.0MPI/B3

I use star bright hull cleaner on grime and stubborn marks and stains. Very strong smell, hard on your skin, will take the wax off your gel coat... But man it works!

I use the star bright non skid cleaner on the floors and deck. Similar to above but seems to be milder. It also doesn't seem slippery when dry... When you are using it is another story, hold onto something while you scrub cause it's slick.

I use terry cloth towels to wash windows with glass cleaner, and a dry towel to dry them off... Never have a streak.

_________________
2004 - 288 Vista
Twin - 5.0 Volvo Penta GXi DP

These are good recommendations. Really trying to get the whites whiter and the chrome even shinier.

Have any of you pulled out anything from the boat to clean it more? Was thinking to pull all chrome to let it soak in something.

Also, how do you get these carpets back... I think I may may have to replace em.

Can you take a buffer to the seats to get them to pop? hahaha

_________________
1996 Four Winns Horizon DLX
Volvo Penta

Ah yes, I believe what you require us some elbow grease.

The whitest white on you gel coat, if not achieved by using a hull cleaner, will come from a cut and polish.

The stainless steel fixtures should polish up with out removing them using an appropriate metal polish and a rag.

I would be cautious with the seats. Use an appropriate vinyl cleaner to get heavy stains off, and be gentle. I use the 303 product for day to day cleaning and protection along with a smart eraser.

_________________
2004 - 288 Vista
Twin - 5.0 Volvo Penta GXi DP

I wouldn't recommend removing stainless fittings unless they need something more than cleaning. Flitz or Autosol should clean those up nicely. Elbow grease, of course.

If your hull is one of the concerns, here's a good video on that - the admonishments to start with the least aggressive materials that will get the job done should be followed:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ke5kfYz ... Xgio9zzFgl

I've never needed to use anything more than protectant on my seats, but people swear by Smart Erasers.

_________________


Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Do you guys just use the All Purpose 303?
http://www.lowes.com/pd_670259-74483-30440___?productId=50370854&pl=1&Ntt=303

_________________

2005 Four Winns 230 Horizon
2014 Toyota Tundra CrewMax 4x4

In that link, the description is for cleaner but the picture is for protectant. The cleaner should be fine, but once clean, it's very important to use the protectant. You may also see it listed as "303 Aerospace Protectant." It looks just like ArmorAll but the appearance is all they have in common - and never use ArmorAll on anything boat related.

_________________


Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

I found the best stuff for cleaning vinyl is spray nine. A magic eraser works great too but is basically sandpaper so pretty harsh.
I just picked up a 13 year old inflatable boat with console and seats. It was pretty dingy with mold stains on the seats. The spray nine cleaned them right up and pretty easy too. I also use it to clean my dinghy at the end of every season and it really does a great job. I follow up with 303 and everything is like new again.
My dinghy stays in the water all season for 3 years now and it still looks like new, after I clean it...

_________________
--2002 3880 Regal Flybridge | Twin Merc 8.1HO **Seven**
--2003 AB 13 VST Console Inflatable | Tohatsu 40hp TLDI **Phish'n ski**
--310 Mercury Inflatable | 1982 9.9 Johnson

The 303 protector is a really good product. I am a big fan of the 3M marine waxes. I have had very good results with them.

_________________
2014 Four Winns H180 RS
14' 70's Lund

Why is that, Mike?
I've been using it for years?!

_________________
2011 Four Winns H180 SS.
Aussie built Mustang 2800.
SOLD - 1997 Four Winns Horizon RS

Given time, UV, and enough repeated applications of Armor All, it will just turn into a sticky mess that really doesn't protect anything and can be nearly impossible to remove without using chemicals that could damage the underlying material. I found this out the hard way years ago after using it inside of a car for several years. It's fine for tires where it'll get washed off by the elements in a short time anyway, but I would never trust it for long term protection of interior vinyl.

IMO, Armor All calling itself a protectant is a lot like WD40 calling itself a lubricant.

_________________


Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Noted, thanks Mike.
Going on a slight tangent, what products are best for clears?

_________________
2011 Four Winns H180 SS.
Aussie built Mustang 2800.
SOLD - 1997 Four Winns Horizon RS

Clears?

_________________


Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic