New boat, black paint.... How to combat water spots?

[Moose-Hunter]

Well folks...

My blue boat is gone, and a new black one is poised to take it's place. Black? Rumor has it this color collects water spots like a magnet! How or what can I do to keep my black boat black and looking showroom new?

[Mid-Lake Rock]

Pay it forward moment. A gentleman on this site posted a few years ago about this same subject. He was in the military and claimed they cleaned tanks with simple green. It works great. My boat is dark and it works great. Ialso like the fact that it is non-toxic. $5.00 at box home improvement stores.

[Moose-Hunter]

Pay it forward moment. A gentleman on this site posted a few years ago about this same subject. He was in the military and claimed they cleaned tanks with simple green. It works great. My boat is dark and it works great. Ialso like the fact that it is non-toxic. $5.00 at box home improvement stores.

Talk about not seeing the forest though the trees... Could it be that easy? I swear by Simple Green! In fact, I have three gallons on the shelf as we speak!! I thought (oops) that it took something "really special" (read: expensive) to rid the boat of water spots.

[Ed Carlson]

A dilute mix of 1/2 to 1/2 vinegar and water in a spray bottle will do it.

After pulling out of the water or for a quick touch up do a quick spray with the Vin/H2o mix and then a wipe down .....all spotless. A few large soft cotton clots and your all set.

[delcecchi]

I bet if you really want to be cheap, a quarter cup of muriatic acid in a bucket of water would also do the job. Like vinegar but more concentrated.

[chris63]

Keep a fresh coat of wax on your boat/motor combo too.This is good insurance against dirt and/or water spot build up.Be careful if you use muriatic acid on any surface.You need to make sure it is neutralized after to ensure it doesn't keep etching(cleaning)whatever surface it comes in contact with.(Intentionally or unintentionally).c63

[Sportland_Bait]

I use Scrubbing Bubbles, works great. Plus you can get it at just about any grocery store.

Jason

[Ed Carlson]

The two best things about the Vin/H20 mix is it is safe on all surfaces and on engine covers, and it is inert and environmentally friendly. Handy to keep in the boat for cleaning the graph display and to get the funky stink out of the live/bait wells too.

Be sure not to use any bathroom cleaners on any engine newer cowling covers, as it will dull the finish permanently.

I have used the shower cleaner to remove stubborn deposits on older painted lower units, but never on the covers.

[Moose-Hunter]

Thanks for all the suggestions!

Honestly, my first choice was this same boat but with a white base. However, I got such a SCREAMIN' good deal on this black model... Couldn't past it up.

You can bet this baby will be waxed on a regular basis and then some! But for the stubborn spots, I'm really hoping the Simple Green does the trick. I hate the smell of the stuff but I think it's better than smelling like a pickle!

Never-the-less... I'll brew up a batch and keep it handy just in case.

[Northlander]

I dont have time to wax my boat, Im too busy fishing out of it. I just wax it once a year and wash it every so often. Spray with the vin/water mix like Ed said when I feel its needed. Im more worried about how my boat runs than a few water spots. After a few years and a few scratches from docks etc., water spots will be the last of your worries.

[Moose-Hunter]

I dont have time to wax my boat, Im too busy fishing out of it. I just wax it once a year and wash it every so often. Spray with the vin/water mix like Ed said when I feel its needed. Im more worried about how my boat runs than a few water spots. After a few years and a few scratches from docks etc., water spots will be the last of your worries.

Oh I hear ya... But you know the "new boat blues"... It's gonna be a sad day when she gets her first scratch. After a weeks morning, we'll be good to do for the duration.

[CAMAN]

Give the boat a good waxing in the spring, then after every trip load the boat on the trailer and at the boat ramp spray it down with Kick n Bass's "Bass Boat Clean n Shine" and wipe down with a towel. It will remove all the water spots and protect the paint.

You can also try spray detailers like Meguiers Quick Detailer, but I don't know if the surface can be wet for it to work properly.

[Moose-Hunter]

Many great ideas!! And again... Thanks to all!!

[WaveWacker]

I second the vinegar but I probably am more like 75%vin to h20. After that I'll use Maguiars quick wax. Mist it on. Spread it out with one rag. By the time your get it applied you can turn around and wipe it off.

[LMITOUT]

I use two products called Wonderfoam and Restore on my boat. Works great. Wonderfoam is used if you have a heavy buildup but after you knock that down then just use Restore to keep it looking good.

[pulleye16]

I dont have time to wax my boat, Im too busy fishing out of it. I just wax it once a year and wash it every so often. Spray with the vin/water mix like Ed said when I feel its needed. Im more worried about how my boat runs than a few water spots. After a few years and a few scratches from docks etc., water spots will be the last of your worries.

Very true...I "babied" the heck out of my boat. Now it has Iron ore stains, blood stains, chew stains...though all maintenance is top shelf and never missed !

[JohnMickish]

A dilute mix of 1/2 to 1/2 vinegar and water in a spray bottle will do it.

After pulling out of the water or for a quick touch up do a quick spray with the Vin/H2o mix and then a wipe down .....all spotless. A few large soft cotton clots and your all set.

This is what I do, and sometimes I hit her with one of those quick detail synthetic waxes and she looks great on the ride home.