1986 Topsides are Tired and a Dirt Magnet

[SteveMontgomery]

I have a 1986 Hunter 285 in all-around terrific condition.........With the exception of the finish on the topsides. It's a dirt/atmospheric particulate magnet like I have never seen.
Short of pressure washing once per month, I just can't keep it clean and WHITE. See attached photo, before and after pressure wash.

I'm not sure if the boat is worth a complete refinish/gelcoat of the entire topsides and cockpit area. The finish on the hull is in outstanding condition.

Any and all advice is appreciated. Thanks.
Steve

 

[Justin_NSA]

Did a PO get overzealous and clean it with something harmful to the gelcoat? Paint may be your only option, but I'm no expert. I hope you get a good answer.

 

[rgranger]

That is mildew. I have a few spots on my Hunter that will blacken up like that also. My guess is that the gel coat has gotten porous in those areas.

I have found the Tilex mold & mildew spray to be very effective .... just mist it on and let sit for a few minutes. Rinse it off. Don't forget the rinse step. This Tilex stuff has bleach in it.... my daughter was wearing black yoga pants one day and.....


After rinsing.... apply some wax to fill the pores so new mildew can't get a start. I use the liquid auto wax that you simply add to water. Slop it on the deck and let it sit for a bit and rinse. That should get you through a season before you have to do it again.

 

[rgranger]

Also, do you lay a tarp on the boat when you are away? If so, that would traps water on the deck and speed up this sort of thing. If that is the case, then move the tarp over the boom and anchor the grommets to the life-lines. That will let air flow under the tarp and discourage future mildew growth.

 

[Whatfiero1]

For my non skid top deck I use tile sealer the sell at home depot. The non slip type seals pours and keeps mold mildue at bay and it's not slippery like wax. I use wax on sides to keep shiny

 

[rgranger]

For my non skid top deck I use tile sealer the sell at home depot. The non slip type seals pours and keeps mold mildue at bay and it's not slippery like wax. I use wax on sides to keep shiny

That is probably a better idea.......

 

[SailormanDan]

I have been using the Star Brite Black Streak Remover, which works well. I figured what I have is pollution from jet exhaust - the river is a glide path into Reagan National Airport, will have to try the Tilex and see if that's any better.
Something that I've found very useful is a small, one-hand pressure sprayer that pumps up and saves on your trigger-finger /hand: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BX4VXI/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I also use it spraying 303 on canvas to waterproof it and wash it in between chemicals.
The other helpful thing is a scrub brush on a 4' handle to work it in. (I have a pressure washer, but don't trust it for the really heavy stuff, not sure how much gelcoat I may actually be taking off.)

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

Gonna be picky here.. I see pictures of your decks, but none of your TOPSIDES, which is by definition, from rail to waterline

 

[Jackdaw]

Gonna be picky here.. I see pictures of your decks, but none of your TOPSIDES, which is by definition, from rail to waterline

Exactly.

 

[Jackdaw]

On BlueJ and Kestrel (both race boats) I'm a HUGE fan of the Amazing Roll Off. Not only a great cleaner that does not mess up your anti-skid, but it leaves the surface curiously resistant to new grime.

 

[sailnoproblem]

Hey Charlie, and Jackdaw. Give it a rest Steve only wanted some advise on keeping his deck clean. I swear some times these forums get a little anal.

 

[Jackdaw]

Hey Charlie, and Jackdaw. Give it a rest Steve only wanted some advise on keeping his deck clean. I swear some times these forums get a little anal.

I hear what you're saying. But part of the bigger point here is that people learn from these sites, and frankly on this site there's about 30% misinformation to actually good information. One of the ways that we can fight that is stop the continuance of incorrect terms and bad advice when we see it. So sorry, if I see someone saying something wrong, I'm going to call it out.

 

[Justin_NSA]

I think that should be punctuated "So, sorry if I see someone saying something wrong, I'm going to call it out."

 

[rgranger]

....., and frankly on this site there's about 30% misinformation ....... if I see someone saying something wrong, I'm going to call it out.

30% !!! That's generous...I'm calling you out

 

[Siamese]

If I use the wrong term, I don't mind being corrected. Well, okay, for a nano second, maybe, but I realize I don't know everything.

A good rule of thumb for whether you should make such a correction, is if you were in a face to face conversation, would you do it? In this case, if I was walking down the dock, and a stranger pointed at his deck and asked me how to keep his topsides clean, I'd say, "that's not your topsides....that's your topsides right there". I don't see a fight breaking out over that.

 

[Justin_NSA]

I confess. I misused the term. Not after this though. Thanks JD.

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

Siamese makes the point. Since online we cannot see expressions, and can't point as we speak, correct terminology helps prevent misunderstandings

Tried to keep it light, by including the smilies

 

[agprice22]

Anybody ever find "Deck Paint?" Seems it is all "Topsides."

 

[Ned Ludd]

For mildew I prefer X-14, it is an acid based fiberglass shower cleaner and removes the black in a matter of seconds. I have not tried it yet but a lot of posters on here swear by Woody's wax after a good cleaning to seal the pores of the gel coat. Hopefully this post will not need correction...

 

[njlarry]

For my non skid top deck I use tile sealer the sell at home depot. The non slip type seals pours and keeps mold mildue at bay and it's not slippery like wax. I use wax on sides to keep shiny

It would be nice to know the exact sealer brane that you used as some will leave a gloss. Does it make the deck more slippery? Thanks