Outboard Cowl Maintenance

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evinrude2stroke
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Outboard Cowl Maintenance

#1 Post by evinrude2stroke » Wed Jun 12, 2013 9:23 am

Hey everyone, My cowl on my outboard is starting to look pretty dull. The Evinrude site says to apply wax to the cowl during normal maintenance. I'm afraid to say that I have never done this :scared :scared. :oops: While I was cleaning it up this weekend before it goes into the water I noticed how dull it's getting. does anyone have any recommendations to clean it up a bit?.......I was thinking some cleaner wax may do the trick. I'm afraid to try a compound as it may be to harsh. I'm a little rusty in the detailing field,...my days of waxing cars are long over :coffee
Dave

2016 Manitou 20' w/ 90 E-Tec Pontoon Series

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MH Hawker
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Re: Outboard Cowl Maintenance

#2 Post by MH Hawker » Wed Jun 12, 2013 10:59 am

Probable isnt the right stuff to use but I use 303 lol
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BobG
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Re: Outboard Cowl Maintenance

#3 Post by BobG » Wed Jun 12, 2013 11:50 am

Yes, you should replace it with one of those shiny black Mercury cowls! :rofl
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OK Toon
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Re: Outboard Cowl Maintenance

#4 Post by OK Toon » Wed Jun 12, 2013 11:53 am

I would just use some sort of rubbing compound like Turtle Wax or something. The rubbing compound will remove the dead dull paint.
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STEVEBRENDA
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Re: Outboard Cowl Maintenance

#5 Post by STEVEBRENDA » Wed Jun 12, 2013 12:32 pm

We clean the hard water stains with vinegar. It take a couple of applications.
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evinrude2stroke
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Re: Outboard Cowl Maintenance

#6 Post by evinrude2stroke » Wed Jun 12, 2013 12:38 pm

BobG wrote:Yes, you should replace it with one of those shiny black Mercury cowls! :rofl
....Ouch!!! :happy
Dave

2016 Manitou 20' w/ 90 E-Tec Pontoon Series

bassn386
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Re: Outboard Cowl Maintenance

#7 Post by bassn386 » Wed Jun 12, 2013 3:53 pm

Try the local automotive parts store. Whatever you use, start with a very small space to view the results before tackling the whole cowling. I use Meguiar's Quick Wax on my Optimax cowling and it usually holds up for a good long time.
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Re: Outboard Cowl Maintenance

#8 Post by Bryden24shp » Wed Jun 12, 2013 3:57 pm

STEVEBRENDA wrote:We clean the hard water stains with vinegar. It take a couple of applications.
Yes... This is the best to remove the hard water spots! Then wax her up real good.. May smell like a salad afterwards, so eat before you do it!
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lakerunner
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Re: Outboard Cowl Maintenance

#9 Post by lakerunner » Wed Jun 12, 2013 4:27 pm

I used Turtle Wax polishing/wax compound. E Tec cowl shines.
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HandymanHerb
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Re: Outboard Cowl Maintenance

#10 Post by HandymanHerb » Wed Jun 12, 2013 4:44 pm

Seems like they don't like the sun, I know the one on my new to me Merc had to be repainted, so something with a uv block would help
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evinrude2stroke
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Re: Outboard Cowl Maintenance

#11 Post by evinrude2stroke » Wed Jun 12, 2013 6:31 pm

lakerunner wrote:I used Turtle Wax polishing/wax compound. E Tec cowl shines.
Loyd- is yours dark blue or white?

Thanks guys, I'm going to try a compound/cleaner wax...and then I'm going to keep up with it. Hopefully it will bring the shine back. :prayer
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Re: Outboard Cowl Maintenance

#12 Post by lakerunner » Thu Jun 13, 2013 4:24 am

evinrude2stroke wrote:
lakerunner wrote:I used Turtle Wax polishing/wax compound. E Tec cowl shines.
Loyd- is yours dark blue or white?

Thanks guys, I'm going to try a compound/cleaner wax...and then I'm going to keep up with it. Hopefully it will bring the shine back. :prayer



Dk blue
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evinrude2stroke
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Re: Outboard Cowl Maintenance

#13 Post by evinrude2stroke » Thu Jun 13, 2013 7:27 am

lakerunner wrote:
evinrude2stroke wrote:
lakerunner wrote:I used Turtle Wax polishing/wax compound. E Tec cowl shines.
Loyd- is yours dark blue or white?

Dk blue
Yep, mine too. I like the looks of the white ones....maybe on my next toon!
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2016 Manitou 20' w/ 90 E-Tec Pontoon Series

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BobG
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Re: Outboard Cowl Maintenance

#14 Post by BobG » Thu Jun 13, 2013 8:29 am

It occurs to me, that while the Admiral will not let me put an NHRA decal on the toon, maybe she WOULD allow a flame-job on the motor! :prayer
2012 Tahoe 24' Fish-n-Fun Tritoon, with Mercury 115 HP 4-Stroke
"Trine SS Cape" (Trying 2S Cape)
Add a battery: viewtopic.php?t=13546&p=105893#p105893
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GXPWeasel
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Re: Outboard Cowl Maintenance

#15 Post by GXPWeasel » Fri Jun 14, 2013 12:00 pm

When you get finished buffing the dull paint, put some of the Mothers Synwax, or the Meguiars NXT wax on it. These both have UV blockers, and polymers in them to prevent fading.

I use both on my black silverado, and maroon traverse.
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