Skeeter talks about making your boat look new...and keeping it that way!
Chat With Nels 'Skeeter' Larsen
Muskie FirstPublished March 18, 2008
Shep: Welcome everybody. I'm happy to introduce Nels Larsen, AKA Skeeter. Skeeter is here to answer questions about keeping your boat looking new!
Skeeter: Thanks so much for the welcome Shep nice to be here.
Shep: Skeeter sells some great products to keep your boats looking like new
sworrall: Welcome, Nels
Shep: Skeeter, can you give us an idea of the type products you have?
Skeeter: I have several different products each does a different job
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sworrall: What's the most important thing one can do to keep an Aluminum boat finish like new?
Skeeter: Most popular is Restore and Wonderfoam.
Don_Hacker: and second that question for fiberglass
Skeeter: Wonderfoam and Restore go together like a pair of gloves
Skeeter: Clean it with the Wonderfoam really good and then give it a steady diet of Restore
Bret_Wold: Is Restore a wax?
sworrall: any prep necessary before the Wonderfoam?
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Skeeter: Yes it is a wax
Skeeter: All my products are biodegradable and environmentally safe
Merckid: not sure if this has been asked, but is there any special way to apply it or does take any kind of special applicator?
Skeeter: Are you talking about the Restore or Wonderfoam?
Merckid: both I guess
Skeeter: First use the Wonderfoam to clean the water spots slim etc. WET down the area you are going to use it on.
Skeeter: I do my boat in quarters.
Skeeter: so it doesn't set on the boat longer than a minute or so
Skeeter: After the boat is wet spray on the Wonderfoam and wipe it around if boat is really bad you might have to use a soft brush
Skeeter: let it set on the boat for a min and rinse.
Skeeter: if the cleaner did not get it all repeat.
Skeeter: Then go to next section.
Shep: Without giving away the formula, what makes Wonderfoam work so well, and quickly
Merckid: thanks, simple enough
Skeeter: After the boat is clean and dry grab your Restore and shake the bottle up and spray it on.
Skeeter: lt dries fast.
Merckid: do you wipe the restore off or just let it dry?
Skeeter: after it dries use a soft clean towel or even paper towels and wipe it off. No need to buff
eyekatcher: Will that work to take the water build up you get on motor also
Skeeter: let it dry then wipe it off
Skeeter: The wonderfoam will take the build up off
Skeeter: Restore does not build up and you will not get any yellowing
Bret_Wold: How often should you use Restore on your boat, and will it cause a build up with repeated uses?
Skeeter: I think the best thing for that is wd -40 to be honest but if you have a lot of oil or grease we have a product called MPC it does cut grease really good. It is a multi purpose cleaner
chris: could you tell me about bio zyme
Okoboji_Muskie: what can a guy use to take the black marks from rollers off an Alum hull?
clym: Is there anything you can use to protect carpet from getting deep stains that you know of??
Skeeter: Ok Biozyme is a live Bacteria
chris: what does it do?
Skeeter: it is a safe nontoxic non acid non alkaline treatment that digests and liquefies
chris: and this cleans my live well
Skeeter: organic waste grease food by products. Use to clean boat livewells, grease traps, septic tanks both home and camper even drain pipes. Even for clean a dog up after it gets sprayed by a skunk
Skeeter: works really good on live wells
Shep: Speaking of carpet. What do you to clean your carpet?
Skeeter: I spray it on the floor of the boat when it gets fishy.
Skeeter: I do clean my carpet yes. I use a high pressure sprayer NO soap
chris: that’s what I’m looking for to get rid of that fish smell
mrbreeze: I do the same - high pressure, no soap
Shep: Floor, carpet, or vinyl?
Skeeter: I do use a spot remover
mrbreeze: carpet
Skeeter: Carpet
Shep: I mean the Biozyme
chris: can use a carpet cleaner or is this to harsh
Skeeter: I do use the wife’s carpet cleaner with the special Bissel cleaner at times
sworrall: How long will the Restore protect a boat finish?
Skeeter: We have a spot remover called S-12 it is for water rings beverages, coffee, juices stuff like that
eyekatcher: That works on carpet?
Skeeter: Restore does protect your finish. After you have a couple coats of it on your boat you will notice clean up is much easier
Skeeter: because it resists water and gunk etc. Cuts way down on the water spots
bighick: how often should the restore be used?
Merckid: where can you get the Wonderfoam and Restore?
Skeeter: I use it on my boat about every third time out of the water
Skeeter: You can get all these products off my web page at www.larsensales.com
Shep: I wipe my boat down everytime I take it out of the water with a terrycloth towel. I wet the towel with water from motor. Anything I should do different?
Skeeter: had a question about black marks
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Okoboji_Muskie: yes how to remove the roller scuffs
Skeeter: OK , black marks from rollers. We have a product called Safe Scrub that works also have a product that is called MPC
Skeeter: MPC is a multi purpose cleaner . It is a grease cutter and effective cleaner for grease and oil Many uses also gets black marks off the side of campers very easy. Safe scrub is really more the the scuff marks on the bottom of the boat and inside of boats with no carpet.
dougj: I have great boat that getting a little skuffed up. Is there any help?
Skeeter: scuff marks on the bottom of the boat and inside of boats with no carpet
dougj: I have gel coat dings here and there.
Skeeter: With dings all you can do is get some automotive compound and have to get it buffed out
Skeeter: rubbing compound
dougj: Plus some gel coat fading
Shep: What about the rubber strip around the boat? It gets white scuff marks from the docks.
Skeeter: Ok fading now that’s another story that is from oxidation.
sworrall: What does one do if the finish is oxidized or dull, is there anything we need to do before using Wonderfoam?
dougj: Used to be a bright green now a dull green.
Skeeter: Oxidation is the result of your gel coat reaction with oxygen and sunlight or just by weathering form outdoor exposure
Skeeter: Depending on how bad it is Wonderfoam will take care of it but will take some elbow grease
Skeeter: Wonderfoam is for medium oxidation
Skeeter: Might take more than one application to remove it.
Okoboji_Muskie: will this help with oxidation on aluminum too?
dougj: Where do I get Wonderfoam?
Skeeter: If it is really bad a product called Vertglas Gel Coat Restoration system is the best I have seen.
Skeeter: Is the Alum boat painted or non painted
Skeeter: I have Wonderfoam on my web site.
Okoboji_Muskie: unpainted with painted lettering
Shep: www.larsensales.com
dougj: Thanks
Skeeter: DO not use it on bare alum boat
Skeeter: I have never done it and think it would stain and look worse maybe
Skeeter: I want to add something here about the use of Wonderfoam
Skeeter: IF YOU OWN a Mercury Verado be aware that someplace on the cowling is a molded black plastic part. On this part it says not to clean with anything stronger than mild dish soap. Do NOT get Wonderfoam on this part as it will stain. Any cleaner other than mild dish soap will stain it.
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Skeeter: That is the only one that has been brought to my attention
Merckid: ok, just wondering, i have an OptiMax
Skeeter: I have have to say do not use it on anything that is plastic and molded with color in it.
Shep: What about the rub rail on most boats?
Skeeter: Ok the rub rail
dougj: I have a six year old fiberglass that sit in the water 200 days a year, will this help if I work at it long enough?
Skeeter:. I have used that goop remover you get in the hardware store. I have tried all my stuff on it and hasn't done any good. OH paint remover does work
dougj: that work!
Shep: You still int hat 205 doug?
Skeeter: Doug, are you talking about the thick algae?
dougj: not too much of that mostly fading. I can get the algae off with Zing
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Skeeter: Wonderfoam works on anything but for that thick coating of algae stuff you have to use a high pressure cleaner to cut it off first
Skeeter: I have never used zing so not sure abut that. I have seen guys use acid but not for me
dougj: Zing is pretty good for algae.
sworrall: What about the boat seats, any recommendations for vinyl?
Skeeter: I will remember that
Skeeter: I use MPC on my seats and after they are clean use Restore to bring them back to life
sworrall: So restore works on all vinyls too?
Skeeter: Softens them up and really makes them shine, yes vinyl as well. Works great.
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Slamr: any advice on cleaning up minor "rub marks" on hard rubber coatings?
Skeeter: Slam, are you talking form bumping in the docks and you have paint on the rubber bumpers?
Slamr: its not paint, but rubbed away outer coating of the rubber, I think
dougj: Thanks for the info. I'll give it a try
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Skeeter: If so goop off or paint thinner
Skeeter: Not really sure what it would be Slamr
Skeeter: What is on the rubber
Slamr: Steve, what is that material, the cap wherein there is no cap
sworrall: Restore will work on that part, Slamr
Shep: Any advice for the Lexan used in windshields?
Skeeter: When spraying on the Restore it is better to use 2 coats than a heavy coat
Skeeter: It dries so fast and is so easy to take off
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Skeeter: Lexan
Skeeter: Ok, we have a product called No Streak it is a glass cleaner or windows mirrors, chrome, stainless steal and all windshields.
Skeeter: No one has asked about mold or mildew
sworrall: What about mold and mildew, Nels?
Skeeter: I have nothing lol use lysol concentrate and or Oxyclean and does not damage threads or vinyl
Shep: I had some on my livewell cover on the last boat
bighick: how do you get sand and grit out of storage hinges?
Skeeter: Hight pressure sprayer
Skeeter: water or air
bighick: tried water - never thought of air hose
Skeeter: All these products can be used in the house. Restore can and is also used as furniture polish
Shep: Speaking of showers. Wonderfoam work there too?
Skeeter: Wonderfoam is also used in tubs, sinks glass shower doors
Merckid: great, my roommates havent cleaned the shower lately, looks like they will now
Skeeter: faucets anyplace you have water deposits
Skeeter: hahaha good one
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sworrall: One more time, Nels, how can one reach you to order?
Merckid: priced very reasonable, I must add
Slamr: rust stains off of white fiberglass compartment innards?
Skeeter: you can order online at www.larsensales.com or call me at home 989 837 2681
bighick: prices if you can?
Skeeter: The prices all are different don't have them on top of my head best to just look on web page
Merckid: 11.90 for Wonderfoam and restore
sworrall: would you suggest the restore on the bottom of the boat as well?
Merckid: that’s for a quart
mrbreeze: It's great stuff.
mrbreeze: Thanks Nels!!!!
Skeeter: I put restore all over my boat but in the spring of the year I do put a really good coat of paste wax on it. NOTHING better than a good coat of paste wax then all through the summer I give her a steady diet of Restore to make it look new
Shep: Thanks Skeeter. I can't wait to get my boat ready to launch this weekend!
mrbreeze: Works great on motor cowl too, don't forget that.
Skeeter: If you have a question please email me anytime at skeeter185@charter.net anytime.
Skeeter: Where did the hour go?
smaellslikebass: thanks for the info skeeter
Shep: told you it would go fast!
Merckid: yes, thanks I’ll definitely give it a try
sworrall: WalleyeFIRST would like to thank Skeeter for an hour talking boat care and restoration, thanks sir!
Skeeter: I appreciate everyone who showed up.. I was too busy typing to see who all did to be honest. Good night !
mrbreeze: Thanks Nels
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