What are the best products for cleaning my Zodiac, Rub Rails and Hull on my Fiberglass Boat?

Skipper April 28, 2017 Ask The Skipper

Kyle Dekema asked:

Hi, I have a 2000 Zodiac Yachtline 340. What product is best for cleaning tubes? Will the same product work on rub rails. I’ve tried everything and get OK results but nothing that works really well to get that nice clean look. Something to clean the fiberglass hull? Sits in the river all summer and everything I’ve tried requires scrub, scrub, scrub! Thanks.

Answer:

For your convenience, I’ve highlighted the hyperlinks. Click on the hyperlink to get more information about the selected product.

It’s difficult to answer your questions with so little information, so I’ll make some assumptions.

1. Assuming your Zodiac has no special issues; staining, marine growth, mold, damage from previous cleaners or protectors etc. and that it’s in reasonable condition for a boat of that age, I suggest that you thoroughly clean the tube and fiberglass with Speed Clean. After apply Poly Guard to protect the tube. Use Repelin to protect the bottom, improve performance and reduce soiling and marine growth. You can use it on the fiberglass as well as the tube, on top of the Poly Guard. Do not apply Repelin directly to the tube fabric. For the deck, non-skid as well as smooth, protect and restore the shine with Sure Step after you clean it thoroughly with Speed Clean.

The above is an annual maintenance procedure to keep your boat in good condition and looking new. For regular cleaning, use Inflatable Boat Cleaner spray cleaner. It’s an aggressive cleaner, yet safe for all substrates, won’t strip the Poly Guard and safe for the environment. It’s a water activated, concentrated cleaner so wet the boat, spray a little on, agitate with a cloth, sponge or soft brush and rinse clean.

I assume that you are referring to the rub rails on your fiberglass boat and that they are in reasonable condition, i.e. not dried out and cracked or sticky or damaged in any way. You can use Speed Clean and Poly Guard for vinyl and rubber rub rails to clean, restore and protect them.

I’m really guessing about your fiberglass boat. I have no idea about size, age, make, special issues, water conditions in the river, etc. and I’m assuming that you are referring to the hull surface between the waterline and the rub rail, not the bottom below the waterline. We have several different cleaners that will resolve different issues. The most popular are Boat Clean Plus, Boat Scrub and Premium Boat Shineto protect the finish and reduce cleaning and maintenance. These products are packaged in our Shiny Boat Kit and it comes with a Marine Power Mitt, to reduce your scrubbing labor.

If the hull is oxidized or faded and you want to restore it to new, use EZ Buff and EZ Buff Extender to buff back the shine. These products are a new technology and are easy to use so that even a DIY can get professional results, the first time, without burn through or swirl marks. You would still clean the surface with Boat Clean Plus and Boat Scrub and lock in the shine afterwards with Premium Boat Shine.

We have How To Videos on You Tube showing you how to use Sure Step, EZ Buff and clean your inflatable tube with Speed Clean and Poly Guard. They’re in the section of our Website.

Thanks for your questions.

Captain Aurora
Richard Kittar