This List Is Comprised Of The Best Marine Detailing & Cleaning Products Money Can Buy! This is only my opinion based on experience.
Written by a schooled boat owner and professional marine detailer!
Please excuse my writing, I can honestly say this is not one of my talents!
There are so many marine products on the market these days that I bet we can spend all day discussing which products are the best. I haven't tried them all yet but I have tried a good portion. I can say I've tried all of the products listed in this blog more than once. Although I've marked certain products as my favorite, I do like them all. Those marked "my favorite" are the ones you'll usually find in my boat, truck or shop at any given moment. My next new round of products to try will be Shine Supply's line up of detailing products, I've heard way to many good things about them that I can no longer ignore.
I know there are a lot of boat owners out there that hate the idea of purchasing marine grade products for their boat, and opt out of doing so, whenever possible due to the extra cost. That is ok to an extent like choosing say, RV or auto products here and there, but please keep yourself from picking up household products at all cost. There are very minimal times when a household product is preferred over a marine or a RV product, even some auto products should be avoided. As a professional detailer and a boat owner, I have tested and tried countless products that are on the market to the exception of some of the newest names that are popping up these days. I came up with this very extensive list of all the best marine detailing & cleaning products I've personally tried and tested over the years. Every single one of these, I have used multiple times, and currently still use on my personal boats and on my customers boats. I broke them up into categories to make it easier and quicker to find what you need.
Remember, don’t be lazy or too ashamed to read directions, even if it is a simple soap product. Always follow the products directions and recommendations. If you are using a product that is new to you, it is always wise to test it in a non conspicuous spot first to see if it will damage or discolor the surface you intend to use it on.
MARINE DETAILING COMPOUNDS & POLISHES
My Favorite!
~STARKE SURFACE TECHNOLOGY: Compounds & Polishes
¨ Level R - Heavy Cut Compound - cuts oxidation quick and easy, its more expensive than some others but worth every penny - use with a rotary and white wool pad starting out slow then gradually speeding up to finish it out - should follow up with Starke Elevate
¨ Elevate - Medium Cut Compound - removes finer scratches and swirl marks left behind from the heavy cut step - use with either a rotary and yellow wool pad or DA and medium/heavy cut foam pad or purple hybrid pad
¨ Ignition - Light Cut Polish - refines the surface to a ultra mirror like finish - allows the polymer sealant to adhere to the gel coat better - which will keep the gel coat protected longer and keeps the oxidation from returning as quickly as it would without - use with a DA and medium cut/light cut foam pad - start out slow in order not to fling polish everywhere then run at a high speed until finished out and when you have an even glossy surface
My Favorite!
~MENZERNA: Compounds & Polishes
¨ Super Heavy Cut Compound 300 - Super Heavy Cut Severe Oxidation
¨ Heavy Cut Compound 400 - Heavy Cut Heavy Oxidation - cuts medium oxidation quick and will finish out the surface to a very glossy finish - most would be good with applying a sealant after using this product - acts as a 1 step cut and polish - if only using as a one step you need to use a DA and purple hybrid pad or heavy cut foam pad - start slow then speed up to high to work the product until its all gone or very minimal product left on the surface, it should easily wipe off
¨ One Step Polish 3 in 1 - Buff + Polish + Wax
~PRESTA MARINE: Compounds & Polishes
¨ Super Cut Compound - Heavy Cut/ First Step Buffing ¨ Ultra Polish - Light Cutting/Final Step Polish
I’m in the process of trying their other marine products and I will update if I see good results.
Â
MARINE PROTECTION
My Favorite!
~JESCAR: Finishing Sealant
¨ Power Lock Plus - Polymer Sealant
¨ Ultra Lock Plus - Polymer SiO2 Technology & Hydrophobic Properties Of Ceramic Coat
(Use these in place of paste wax or carnauba wax) after your compound and polish steps you need to wash the surface you intend to seal with a degreaser to get all the compounds and polish residue completely off or this sealant wont fully adhere to the surface - can be applied by hand or DA and a microfiber foam pad or a finishing foam pad on low/medium speed and slow and consistently work over the surface while overlapping each pass - can be applied on rubbers/ vinyl's and stainless steel as well
My Favorite!
~WOODY WAX - Boat Surface Protection
¨Woody Wax - Ultra Pine Wash ’n’ Wax Boat Soap
¨Woody Wax Kit - Treat & Restore + Protect & Seal - Great For Stainless Steel Hardware
¨Woody Wax - Fiberglass & Non Skid Decks - Protection Coating
¨Woody Wax - Carnauba Glass Coat Topside/Hull Wax
EXTERIOR SPRAY DETAILERS & PROTECTION:
Marine & Auto
My Favorite!
~NAUTICAL ONE: Surface Spray Protection
¨Hydro Rinse - SiO2 Coating
¨Non-Skid Sealer & Protection Spray - Non Slip Spray
My Favorite!
~MEGUAIRS: Surface Spray Protection
¨Hybrid Ceramic Wax - Blue-Liquid Spray
   (ceramic wax isn't the same as ceramic coating)
¨Hybrid Quick Detailer - Green-Liquid Spray
~CHEMICAL GUYS: Surface Spray Protection
¨Synthetic Quick Detailer - Extreme Slick Polymer Spray
¨After Wash - Anti-Scratch Drying Aid
¨Speed Wipe - High Shine Spray Gloss Cherry Sent
~GRIOTS GARAGE: Surface Spray Protection
¨Best Of Show - Polymer Spray Protection
¨Speed Shine - Ceramic Protection * Ceramic Booster Spray
~KOCH CHEMIE: Surface Spray Protection
¨Qs - Quick & Shine - Spray Detailer
¨SOo2 - Spray Sealant
~STARKE SURFACE TECHNOLOGY: Surface Spray Protection
¨Hydro Guard - Spray Sealant
¨Replenish - Silica Spray Sealant
¨Reboot - Graphene Maintenance Spray
CLEANERS/SOAPS`: Protectant Coat Safe
pH balanced boat soaps are what you should be using when you’re
routinely washing your boat. Usually Wash N Wax Soaps are protection coating safe as well.
~STARKE SURFACE TECHNOLOGY: Mild Soap
¨Ultra Clean - SiO2 Soap - pH Balanced
¨Pure Clean - Boat Soap - pH Balanced
¨Hydrate Waterless Wash RTU - Waterless Boat Wash
~ORPINE PRODUCTS: Mild Soap
¨Orpine - Wash n Wax Soap - pH Balanced
My Favorite!
~KOCH CHEMIE: Mild Soap
¨Gsf - Gentle Snow Foam - pH Neutral Cleaning Foam
HEAVY DUTY CLEANERS: Not Protectant Safe
Can Strip Sealants, Waxes & Ceramic Coatings From Surface
~MARINE 31: Cleaner
¨Marine 31 - Mildew Stain Remover
(This is another marine product company that you cant go wrong with when you need reliable products that will do what there are intended to do.)
~KOCH CHEMIE: Cleaner
¨Fn - Super Foam NTA-frel - Extremely Foamy Alkaline Active Cleaner
¨Gs - Green Star - Concentrated Universal Cleaner
~PURPLE POWER CLEANER
¨Purple Power - Industrial Cleaner
~ORPINE PRODUCTS: Cleaner
¨Orpine - Boat Soap
  (their website doesn't specify if this will strip protectant coatings)
¨Orpine - Bilge Cleaner
~STARKE SURFACE TECHNOLOGY: Heavy Cleaner
¨Venom - Water Spot Remover
~PRESTA MARINE: Heavy Cleaner
¨ Deck Spray - All Purpose Cleaner
My Favorite!
~STARBRITE PRODUCTS: Heavy Cleaner
¨Deck Cleaner - with PTEF
  (Starbrite products are some of the industries best. They been in the marine chemicals industry along time and I have used a lot of their products. You cant wrong with any of the Starbrite products!)
~303 MARINE: Heavy Cleaner
¨303 Marine - Mold & Mildew Cleaner & Blocker
BOAT BOTTOMS & HEAVILY STAINED FIBERGLASS
My Favorite!
~AUQUA-CLEAN: Super Heavy Duty Cleaner
Allison Park Pittsburgh PAÂ -Â 412-487-4370
¨Bottom Boat Cleaner - Two Part Formula
   (I don’t believe they have a website and it’s hard for me to find this stuff. If you need to clean the scum line off your boat and can get your hands on it, I highly recommend purchasing multiple containers.)
~SLIMY GRIMY: Super Heavy Duty Cleaner
¨Granular & Liquid Spray Cleaner - All Surface Cleaner & Boat
   Bottom Cleaner
¨Blazin’ Liquid Spray - Aluminum & Heavily Stained Boat Bottom Cleaner
Â
ISINGLASS, STRATAGLASS, CLEAR & ALL VINYLS
My Favorite!
~IMAR: Protectant
¨Strataglass Protective Cleaner - For All Clear Vinyl's
¨Strataglass Protective Polish - For All Clear Vinyl's
~SUMMERLABATORIES: Protectant
¨210 Plastic Cleaner & Polish - Aerosol Liquid - For Clear Vinyl's
  (I couldn’t find this product on their website search option but it is available on Amazon and other retailers.)
~303 MARINE: Protectant
¨Marine Fabric Guard - Canvas Waterproofing - All Canvas & Fabric's & Sunbrella Recommended
¨Marine/RV Vinyl & Rubber Cleaner & ProtectantÂ
~KOCH CHEMIE: Restorer
¨Ts - Top Star - Plastic & Rubber Cleaning & Refresher
My Favorite!
~MOTHERS: Restorer
¨Mothers Back To Black - Plastic Restorer
    Perfect for Sea Doo Spark
~MEGUIARS MARINE: Restorer
¨Meguiars Ultimate Black - Plastic Restorer
   Perfect for Sea Doo Spark
So just to recap... you can't go wrong with using any of the different products that have these names on the bottle... Starke, Menzerna, Jescar, Koch-Chemie, Starbrite, Marine 31, Nautical One, Woody Wax, Imar, Meguiars, Chemical Guys, 303, Presta, Orpine, Griot's and Mothers. I listed as many as I know I like so you're not limited when when you go looking for products either online or in local stores. I find it easier to pick a hand full and stick with them for at least the season so you don't have "50" different bottles that you're trying to store on your boat or in your garage. I recommend monthly routine cleanings and sealant applications to keep your boat in it's best shape. Doing this will only make each cleaning easier and less time consuming. Or consider hiring a local boat detailer to take care of it for you.
I hope you have the same great results with your boats cleaning & protecting jobs. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions, corrections or recommendation of your own. Thank you for reading! Remember don’t be lazy or think you’re too smart to read directions, even if it is a simple soap product. Always follow the products directions and recommendations. If you are using a product that is new to you, it is always wise to test it in a non conspicuous spot first to see if it will damage or discolor the surface you intend to use it on.
Please comment what your favorite products are and I would love to check em out. Also comment or email if you have and questions, concerns or corrections. Thank You!
This Blog Was Written By:Â Â
Brian Oinos
Owner & Operator
Out Of This World Boatworks LLC
Three Rivers Of Pittsburgh, PA 15237
 Disclaimer:
The products recommended in this blog post are solely based on the writer's personal experiences and preferences. The writer and his company are not affiliated with any of the mentioned products, nor are they receiving any form of compensation for their recommendation. It is important to note that the writer and his company do not guarantee the reliability or effectiveness of the recommended products. Individual results may vary, and it is advisable to conduct your own research before making any purchasing decisions. Thank you for reading and considering the recommendations provided in this blog post.
Â
Â
Â
I like Menzerna and Jescar too! Thanks for sharing, I will try some of your other recommendations.