#50 Cleaner/Wax vs Flagship Cleaner/Wax?

[Poki]

I have an older motor home with gelcoat sidewalls. It's in good condition for its age due to a LOT of work on my part. What difference can I expect between #50 Cleaner/Wax (which I have used many tiime) and the new Flagship Marine Cleaner/Wax?? I typically use a G110 and either a maroon cutting or yellow polishing pad.

[Tuck91]

Re: #50 Cleaner/Wax vs Flagship Cleaner/Wax?

I have not used the newer Flagship Premium Marine Cleaner/Wax.

But I have used quite a bit of M50 Cleaner Wax and can tell you that is a great product for either a boat or motorhome in fair condition. It has great durability, is easy to apply and remove, and its cleaning ability can remove light oxidation.

[mattya802]

Re: #50 Cleaner/Wax vs Flagship Cleaner/Wax?

Does anyone have any experience with Flagship Premium Cleaner/Wax?

My father just purchased this and is planning on using it with a PC on his boat...Looking for any pointers on the difference between detailing a boat and a car and what I can expect for correction/results from this combination.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: #50 Cleaner/Wax vs Flagship Cleaner/Wax?

Flagship Premium Cleaner Wax is more aggressive than M50 and will last longer too. Think of it as ColorX vs Cleaner Wax in the automotive line.

While that means it's a noticeable step up, you have to remember that gel coat is much harder than automotive paint so on a badly oxidized surface you may need to step up to something more aggressive to correct defects. As a routine maintenance/prevention product it's great stuff, but for serious correction it will be about as effective as ColorX on a car. That means for light duty work it's fine but when things get nasty, you need to step up.

M67 One Step Compound is sort of the go to product for moderate to heavy oxidation on gel coats.

If you're new to working on gel coat then check out 1979 Ski Supreme ski boat - back from Davey Jones' Locker for some pointers.

[mattya802]

Re: #50 Cleaner/Wax vs Flagship Cleaner/Wax?

Flagship Premium Cleaner Wax is more aggressive than M50 and will last longer too. Think of it as ColorX vs Cleaner Wax in the automotive line.

While that means it's a noticeable step up, you have to remember that gel coat is much harder than automotive paint so on a badly oxidized surface you may need to step up to something more aggressive to correct defects. As a routine maintenance/prevention product it's great stuff, but for serious correction it will be about as effective as ColorX on a car. That means for light duty work it's fine but when things get nasty, you need to step up.

M67 One Step Compound is sort of the go to product for moderate to heavy oxidation on gel coats.

If you're new to working on gel coat then check out 1979 Ski Supreme ski boat - back from Davey Jones' Locker for some pointers.

Thanks Mike, appreciate the response. Yah, he is just looking for some sort of maintenance and doesn't want to be spending crazy time on it, just something to improve the appearance a bit and protect it some.

Wow, that red really came back to life! Curious to see how that holds up. I'm not sure the year on my dads boat, but I think it's an '02 so the paint isn't THAT bad lol. Doubt much has been done to the paint since then though. I'll see if I can convince him to up to M67 first but I doubt it.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: #50 Cleaner/Wax vs Flagship Cleaner/Wax?

Wow, that red really came back to life! Curious to see how that holds up.

To be completely honest, without very regular maintenance we don't expect it to hold up very long at all. That particular gel coat has really reached the about the end of its useful life and it was so far gone that not much more can really be done for it. Monthly D/A application of a cleaner wax is likely the minimum requirement at this point, but not many people are going to spend that much time on an old boat like that one.

[mattya802]

Re: #50 Cleaner/Wax vs Flagship Cleaner/Wax?

To be completely honest, without very regular maintenance we don't expect it to hold up very long at all. That particular gel coat has really reached the about the end of its useful life and it was so far gone that not much more can really be done for it. Monthly D/A application of a cleaner wax is likely the minimum requirement at this point, but not many people are going to spend that much time on an old boat like that one.

That's what I figured, either way looks great now

Follow up question. As explained, my fathers boat is in pretty decent condition (it's a 2002), how often do you think maintenance with a cleaner wax would be necessary?

Also, the bottom of the boat is painted black (it's a white boat)...I think it's a certain type of paint made for the bottom (not really sure, big noob here lol). He's looking to get that paint off to bring it back to the regular white gel coat finish. Any ideas on how that would best be done? He got the suggestion today of sanding it down using 80, 120, 220 and then maybe 320 and then using acetone to remove anything left over. Sounded....Not right to me. I also read you saying that sanding gel coat isn't always a good idea because it can open up the pores and make contamination worse.

Just trying to get some pointers for him so he doesn't go making a mess of the boat while just trying to improve the gel coat. Thanks again for any help.

[Poki]

Re: #50 Cleaner/Wax vs Flagship Cleaner/Wax?

I think repainting it white would be easier and agree that sanding gelcoat can cause more problems. I dont think you could ever get all the black out by sanding and still have a nice looking glossy finish.

[mattya802]

Re: #50 Cleaner/Wax vs Flagship Cleaner/Wax?

I think repainting it white would be easier and agree that sanding gelcoat can cause more problems. I dont think you could ever get all the black out by sanding and still have a nice looking glossy finish.

Okay, thanks. The black paint is already fading and removed in some spots, since that type of paint is meant for boats that are left in the water, but we have it trailered. I'm going to try talking him out of trying to sand the remaining paint off.

[RamAirV1]

Re: #50 Cleaner/Wax vs Flagship Cleaner/Wax?

Okay, thanks. The black paint is already fading and removed in some spots, since that type of paint is meant for boats that are left in the water, but we have it trailered. I'm going to try talking him out of trying to sand the remaining paint off.

Is that anti-fouling paint? That what it seems like based on your descriptions. You may be better off to just repaint it. I don't know how easy it is to go back from anti-fouling paint to regular glossy gelcoat.

RamAirV1