Anything wrong with using windex to clean your boat?

[_chris_]

Just wondering if there is anything wrong with using windex on my boat? I occasionally use it to get the water spots off after boating when I don't have time to do a complete wash.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Anything wrong with using windex to clean your boat?

I'm no expert but......I once used windex to clean some bird poop off a black car. Left a horrible swirly. So my concern is that windex has absolutely no lubrication properties so if there's any real dirt on your boat you risk damaging it.

 

[jeff_smith_0423]

Re: Anything wrong with using windex to clean your boat?

There's nothing wrong with Windex itself. it's mostly water. Your issue will be scratching your paint/gel - probably fine if you use a soft lint free cloth. Crappy paper towels? You'll be scratching your gel in no time.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Anything wrong with using windex to clean your boat?

don't know if i'd clean my boat with it. but i do use it inside my boat applied with a paper towel. on the glass surfaces. i've got carpet so i don't have a lot of surface to clean. i get pop, cigg ashes, food, and just dirt on my sole. i use the windex to clean that. i use windex on the inside and outside of my plexiglass windows. sometimes w/o a wash, sometimes with a wash. excluding the windows, the same surface gets waxed once or twice a year. then the windex treatment in between. usually every other outing or every outing...
i've not really seen any drawbacks. been doing it for 3 years now.

i don't use it to clean the outside of my hull. for that i use boat soap and water, then ducky brand waterspot remover + a shammy...

 

[Knightgang]

Re: Anything wrong with using windex to clean your boat?

You can clean anything with Windex. Just be careful of you selection of cleaning cloth...

Soft cotton like a white T-shirt is usually the best to not leave surface scratches...

 

[rbh]

Re: Anything wrong with using windex to clean your boat?

What happens when you apply ammonia to a waxed surface?
rob

 

[Thad]

Re: Anything wrong with using windex to clean your boat?

What happens when you apply ammonia to a waxed surface?
rob

I would think that when you are done...you would no longer have a waxed surface.

Chris,
As far as the windex goes, it works fine. I use it whewn I forget to buy more 3M Spray and Shine wax. (Which is what I use to clean my boat after getting off of the water.) I also, however, ONLY use 3M microfiber clothes to clean any part or portion of my boat, inside or out.
I probably spend more $$ on cleaning supplies for my boat than fuel and ice.

 

[_chris_]

Re: Anything wrong with using windex to clean your boat?

I probably wax it every couple of months, i have only owned this one for three months and it has been waxed four times but that was mainly because the PO couldn't remember tha last time he waxed it so I am building up a good coat. I only use Microfiber clothes for cleaning and detailing all of my vehicles and boat so I should be good there. I also don't use windex with amonia, I hate the smell. I have not heard of 3M Spray and Shine wax, is it easy to use? every other spray and wipe wax turns out to be spray and rub for an hour, usually worse than regular wax so I have always strayed away from them.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Anything wrong with using windex to clean your boat?

Windex will work fine, as far as wax, yes it may remove some or all. I've never waxed any boat I've owned ... ever, they get pressure washed (inside and out) and sometimes scrubbed with a mix of bleach and soap in the bucket of water.

In fact I don't think I've waxed a car in 20+ years...don't even own a can of car or boat wax.

 

[Thad]

Re: Anything wrong with using windex to clean your boat?

I have not heard of 3M Spray and Shine wax, is it easy to use? every other spray and wipe wax turns out to be spray and rub for an hour, usually worse than regular wax so I have always strayed away from them.

The 3M spray wax is awsome. It sprays on and you rub it in and immediately wipe it off. It goes a long way. I have even used it the following day (got in a little late to do it that night) and it removed the water spots even.
I use that exclusively on my glass. Nothing short of a good paste wax even comes close to making a clear windshield.

I think I fall into a different category than a lot of people. My boat gets a good detailing and buffing in the spring, and then every time it goes out it gets wiped down with spray wax. The next morning she gets a good liquid wax and vacuum. The trailer gets a good cleaning and wax as well. About once a month or so, depending on how much she was out, I strip the wax with rubbing compound and a buffer and give her a good paste was and buff, get under the trailer and wash and wax the hull and the trailer cross supports and axles. A bit over kill, but hey, I get bored so...

 

[jeff_smith_0423]

Re: Anything wrong with using windex to clean your boat?

I think I fall into a different category than a lot of people. My boat gets a good detailing and buffing in the spring, and then every time it goes out it gets wiped down with spray wax. The next morning she gets a good liquid wax and vacuum. The trailer gets a good cleaning and wax as well. About once a month or so, depending on how much she was out, I strip the wax with rubbing compound and a buffer and give her a good paste was and buff, get under the trailer and wash and wax the hull and the trailer cross supports and axles. A bit over kill, but hey, I get bored so...

Wow. That's certainly a different category.

 

[BTMCB]

Re: Anything wrong with using windex to clean your boat?

Not sure, let me ask my official boat cleaner. Honey, do you use windex...........?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Anything wrong with using windex to clean your boat?

I'm also in a different category from Thad. I'm the power wash or bleach and soap scrub type. If I get that bored, I go out in the boat. I can catch a few fish in the time it would take to strip, compound wax and buff.
Seriously, waxing the trailer???
Scrub out the tire treads with a toothbrush?

 

[krakatoa]

Re: Anything wrong with using windex to clean your boat?

What happens when you apply ammonia to a waxed surface?
rob

Nice question with the CLUE word, AMMONIA....

 

[Thad]

Re: Anything wrong with using windex to clean your boat?

I'm also in a different category from Thad. I'm the power wash or bleach and soap scrub type. If I get that bored, I go out in the boat. I can catch a few fish in the time it would take to strip, compound wax and buff.
Seriously, waxing the trailer???
Scrub out the tire treads with a toothbrush?

It's a good looking trailer. But yep, wax the trailer. I even went so far as to pull the break actuator out of the tongue and paint it to match the trailer trim.

I used to go fishing on Fridays, but have not had my tinny out for two years now. Saturdays, the family likes to get out around ten, and Sunday, right after church, so I would not have much time for fishing anyway.
I like to spend time working on or in my boat. Besides, it keeps me out of trouble

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: Anything wrong with using windex to clean your boat?

Windex, 95% Lake Michigan.

If a boat is nice its easier to keep nice, I would probably be like Thad if I had a boat like his, or my wife would.
She washed and waxed the Mustang quite a bit. (when we use it, rarely this season) She would LOVE a boat like Thad's.
I don't leave garbage all over and try keep my junk as clean and presentable as possible.

 

[PuddleJumper]

Re: Anything wrong with using windex to clean your boat?

Just wondering if there is anything wrong with using windex on my boat? I occasionally use it to get the water spots off after boating when I don't have time to do a complete wash.

I use Bassboatsaver for water spot removal. I think they have a web site.
I love the stuff.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Anything wrong with using windex to clean your boat?

Have never used windex on hull but have used wax on windows.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Anything wrong with using windex to clean your boat?

I think I fall into a different category than a lot of people. My boat gets a good detailing and buffing in the spring, and then every time it goes out it gets wiped down with spray wax. The next morning she gets a good liquid wax and vacuum. The trailer gets a good cleaning and wax as well. About once a month or so, depending on how much she was out, I strip the wax with rubbing compound and a buffer and give her a good paste was and buff, get under the trailer and wash and wax the hull and the trailer cross supports and axles. A bit over kill, but hey, I get bored so...

I may fish 5 days a week at some times of the year... just don't have time clean it like that even if I had enough energy and wanted to. Mine are kept inside, my 19' CC is 12 years old and looks new. To me a boat is a tool that lets me fish where and/or how I want, I keep them in very good condition and they run perfect, but its function before beauty for me. I do admire people that can motivate themselves to pay attention to details like that though.

 

[Pierutrus]

Re: Anything wrong with using windex to clean your boat?

A 50/50 mix of vinegar/water in a spray bottle.
Takes water spots off like magic.