White or Apple Cider Vinegar For Cleaning?

[Jeff T]

Gotta dumb, but quick question:

I have read a million times on this boad about mixing up white vinegar and water to clean off water spots. When I bought the boat, the guy at the dealership said to use apple cider vinegar and water. Well, today I went to buy the vinegar and because I'm not a vinegar connoisseur, I kind of figured they would be the same. Not True.

So, which is it...White or Apple Cider?? Does it even matter?

Thanks!

[dogbert]

I've always used white vinegar and water (50/50).

[Matt Garcia]

Originally posted by dogbert
I've always used white vinegar and water (50/50).

Same here.

[bneub]

I think they are about the same, but white seems a little cheaper.

50-50 and a damp towel took all of the spots off from a week at powell with no scrubbing.

[Coach]

When you use Vinagar you will strip all of the wax off. You need to use a good product to get rid of the water spots like Ducky (which leaves a film) or my new personal favorite Hot Sauce by boat bling (www.boatbling.net) is a great product. The problem with Ducky is the film you need to wipe down with a quick detailer after (read 2 steps). The Hot Sauce costs more and the shipping is more but is well worth the cost once you use the product. It cleans all of the water spots and leaves a very nice shine. Some will use water vinegar and some wax mix up but I am not sure it will protect your boat very well in the end. If you have the time then vinegar and water then a fresh coat of wax after works but is time consuming. I pull my boat an it is normally over 100 degrees and I need to give it a quick wipe down to remove the water spots and get it ready for the next trip. I normally get 2-3 good waxes on it each season and look to maintian it during each wax.

[wrangler]

We also use the white vinegar but unlike the others add a little carnuba wax in... 40%water, 40% vinegar and 10% liquid carnuba wax. This seems to make a nice cleaner and takes the spots right off etc... I was buying Babes and have used Ducky in the past and at least so far, this works as well as any of them and costs far less. Compared to Babes, however, it doesn't smell cool. The Babes has a nice green apple scent and mine...well...it smells like vinegar with a little wax mixed in!

Good luck...wrangler

[Tequilasun]

I used to use a Solution of 30% White vinegar to 70% distilled water.

But now I use a solution closer to what wrangler is using.

The vinegar will take your wax off, but I plan on waxing the hull several times a year anyway.

[talltigeguy]

I use white vinegar. It always would worry me just a little to put brown vinegar on my white boat.

I mix the vinegar with water and a small amount of wax.

I use 303 on the hull occasionally and have found my boat still looks like new after 2 years (which I suppose it should).

[zany]

I also use Hot Sauce by Boat Bling, I find that is goes on quick and removes all my water spots. I used to use vinegar for the water spots and wax my boat every other time out. Now I just wax my boat at the beginning of the season and use the Hot Sauce after each use. I t make my cleanup much faster. It also works great on the trailer.

[Paublo]

I have posted this before, but "Wax-as-you-dri" by Eagle Products, is by far the best solution to getting water spots off and keeping your boat looking good. As soon as the boat comes out of the water we spray a little on and wipe down and the boat shines. And everyone that has been with me and has helped has mentioned how good the stuff smells. It takes less than 5 minutes for two to do the whole boat. It works best if the boat is still wet. I've started to use it on my cars too, but with the boat the results are most noticeable.

[wrangler]

Paublo...I tried the wax as you dry as well...and I suspect if I was just dealing with one day's worth of minerals and water spots from the fine colorado river it would be a great solution...but after three to five days in the water all the spray etc...the vinegar just seems to do the trick better than the wax as you dry did. At least that has been our experience...

[Paublo]

I understand what you are saying. After a week at Powell, I just do the vinegar/water thing (about 30% vinegar) and then rewax. That seems to be the only way to get all the spots off. I just wax twice a year- the start of the season in April and after Powell in late June. After just a day at the lake the wax-as-you-dri keeps it looking as good as just waxed.

[wrangler]

The other thing that I like about the wax as you dry is, like Babes, it just smells better than my vinegar mix!!!

After reading this thread I guess I will need to give Hot Sauce a try just because it sounds cool if nothing else!

[wrangler]

As a side note, I called the boat bling guys a few months back and they don't have the custom cowls for our motors as of yet...but I think one of those billet beauties would look pretty bad azz on top of my MP 340... Wouldn't hurt to have a few of our Tige colleagues here on the board call and express our desire to have one made for the inboard market! Just a thought!!!

[Jeff T]

Thanks for all the replies guys! I appreciate it.

Does the boat bling strip the wax too? I don't mind spending a little more on a product like that if in the end, it is better for the boat. This isn't about money...it is about keeping the boat looking nice and protecting the coat.

JT