Why Vinegar?

I use spray wax every time out of the lake, but hear a bunch about a 50/50 mix of vinegar. Does this just take the spots off or does it leave a shine?
Do you use it when you trailer it home and your spots are dried on, or right when you pull it out of the water?

gets rid of water spots but it also strips wax. I used it for a long time then switched to hot sauce.

I use the Vinegar mixture only for removing stubborn waterspots. Be sure to follow up with mild soap and H2O and then rewax as the vinegar strips the wax.

Vinegar is a mild acid. Water spots are calcium and other dissolved minerals in the water. The acid in the vinegar eats the minerals so them come off easily. Think like a really mild CLR. You can use it at any time but it gives no shine.

1/3 vinegar, 1/3 water, 1/3 babes everytime. Perfect.

8:1 vinegar to Turtle Wax Zip Wax.

Seems weird that vinegar and wax would work well together.

Karl, last time I tried to mix Turtle Zip Wax and vinegar, I couldn't get the wax and vinegar to mix properly. It was like the wax coagulated.

I don't think that vinegar strips wax. I mix vinegar, water, and soap in my spray bottle, it’s cheap and it works.

Mixing wax and water or vinegar doesn't make any sense, they won't ever mix.

I love Hot sauce but I Have a black boat and if its hot enough even Hot sauce won't take off the water spots, I've never tried vinegar but I think I might give it a try.

Water, vinegar & Turtle Wax. Still not completely sure of the mix yet, but something like 25% vinegar, 25% wax & 50% water.
Got it from a WW member & have been using it for a couple of months with good results.

(Message edited by bill_airjunky on September 13, 2009)

30% vinegar 70% water at the ramp side clean up. It leaves the hull and windows perfectly clean. I have not found it to take off wax.

Deez,

Wax your boat with a quality wax and a buffer. Use Babe's when you pull the boat out. You won't have any problems with water spots. The key is the wax!

If you're on the water all day, and have some spray on your boat, you'll still get some spots, especially if you have a dark colored boat. I normally just use Wax as You Dry on my boat, everytime we pull out, but if I have stubborn spots, I'll use my 50/50 mix of vinegar and distilled water on areas that have bad spots. Once the spots are gone, follow it up with the Wax as you Dry on a damp rag and it's slippery again!

If you have a really strong vinegar, you dilute a bit. I have used up to 40% Zip Wax in vinegar.

The acid will repel the wax a bit. You need to shake it up frequently. The main point is to have a bit of soap and wax to cut through the scum and crud that all water seems to leave behind.

I'm surprised no one's mentioned this one yet. I was a vinegar & water user, but began to get concerned about wax stripping. Saw a few threads about the "Driven" product, and I bought some. LOVE IT! Recommended to friends and now they like it too. It's economical since it comes in a concentrate). Great for spots and leaves surface very glassy smooth (far superior to V/W mixes).

I use hot sauce and love it -black boat.
Grew up using 50:50 W:V and noticed it does take a little shine off the wax (definitely not a full wax strip), but always works great.
One thing I have been wanting to try is Zip Wax w/vinegar -I don't see how this can work without a full boat wash after you use it, The Zip Wax needs to be washed off with water after application....