The decks on a boat a recently purchasd are chalky and in desperate need of cleaning. I have begun cleaning all the dirt and algae off using TSP and that is working but the surface is chalky. What can you suggest to refinish and hopefully put some shine back in the decks? The hull is in good shape and still have a good shine.
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Island Girl, she just wants to be your Island Girl
Robert: You need to try the Island Girl treatment on your deck. You clean them with the IG Pink and then use the Non-skid sealer. I think you should be able to find the products in the HOW Store.
Robert: You need to try the Island Girl treatment on your deck. You clean them with the IG Pink and then use the Non-skid sealer. I think you should be able to find the products in the HOW Store.
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Robert B.
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Jim willis
Good to kill mildew, algae and oxidation.........
Oxidation is not just on the surface of the gelcoat and needs to be removed/killed- also you cannot compound non skid without removing the non-skid! That is why I think it is much more important to to chemically dissolve out the oxidation from the dimples and pores and to impregnate with preservative. Mildew and algae will grow on an oxidized dirty surface but will also penetrate down into the "chalky" pores. Best thing is to remove and kill with some diluted chlorox Bleach (not undiluted- you don't want to change color!). IG cleanser conditioners also have killers of oxidation, mildew and algae as a preventative measure. Most important thing is to seal the surface after the above treatment. Aurora make a sort of wipe on wax, some people have used acrylic sealants but make sure that the surface is prepped really well to prevent peeling (we have a boat in Honolulu that looks like it has a case of sunburn!). IG also have a sealant that works as part of a complete system. DO NOT USE WAX unless you want to go skating! Best Wishes Jim W
Oxidation is not just on the surface of the gelcoat and needs to be removed/killed- also you cannot compound non skid without removing the non-skid! That is why I think it is much more important to to chemically dissolve out the oxidation from the dimples and pores and to impregnate with preservative. Mildew and algae will grow on an oxidized dirty surface but will also penetrate down into the "chalky" pores. Best thing is to remove and kill with some diluted chlorox Bleach (not undiluted- you don't want to change color!). IG cleanser conditioners also have killers of oxidation, mildew and algae as a preventative measure. Most important thing is to seal the surface after the above treatment. Aurora make a sort of wipe on wax, some people have used acrylic sealants but make sure that the surface is prepped really well to prevent peeling (we have a boat in Honolulu that looks like it has a case of sunburn!). IG also have a sealant that works as part of a complete system. DO NOT USE WAX unless you want to go skating! Best Wishes Jim W
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Jim willis
A non-skid reply to a new FAQ
Q: I used Pink and non-skid sealer on my decks. What should I use to clean the decks when they get really dirty? I dont want to remove the sealer. Will boat soap or dilluted Pink remove the sealer I put on? A: When first done, a good high pressure hose and a soft brush is all that is required- bird droppings just "float" off. If the the stains are "oily" (lots of air pollution) then just use tiny amount of pink in a bowl of water or (no direct experience but more expensive) DILUTED boat soap. If you have bad spills (cetol etc) use the pink undiluted with a stiff brush this will also remove top layer of sealant so that you will have to touch up. DO NOT use oxalic based harsh cleaners, Ajax etc! After a few month in the hot sun, and lots of foot traffic, you will notice that the water beading is not so dramatatic and that the sealant surface has dulled a bit and is not so easy to clean. The sealant is taking the weathering rather than the deck itself. At this point, just use some pink undiluted to strip the bad surface, exposing good sealant underneath and touch up the surface with a thin coat of sealant. You can keep doing this indefinitely and the sealant layer will build up to a very tough layer. I have areas that have been treated this way for 2 years! The main thing is that the deck is completely cleaned and prepared before being sealed and DO NOT put the sealant on too thick at one time (will attract dirt/footmarks if not set up properly). Pat/brush out areas that in which sealant can "pool" and rinse with water when dried at least to the "tacky" stage to rinse away uncured components and suspending agent. Rinsing between coats (if appying more than one coat in a day) also prevents trapping of uncured (sticky) components. Thanks Jim W >
Q: I used Pink and non-skid sealer on my decks. What should I use to clean the decks when they get really dirty? I dont want to remove the sealer. Will boat soap or dilluted Pink remove the sealer I put on? A: When first done, a good high pressure hose and a soft brush is all that is required- bird droppings just "float" off. If the the stains are "oily" (lots of air pollution) then just use tiny amount of pink in a bowl of water or (no direct experience but more expensive) DILUTED boat soap. If you have bad spills (cetol etc) use the pink undiluted with a stiff brush this will also remove top layer of sealant so that you will have to touch up. DO NOT use oxalic based harsh cleaners, Ajax etc! After a few month in the hot sun, and lots of foot traffic, you will notice that the water beading is not so dramatatic and that the sealant surface has dulled a bit and is not so easy to clean. The sealant is taking the weathering rather than the deck itself. At this point, just use some pink undiluted to strip the bad surface, exposing good sealant underneath and touch up the surface with a thin coat of sealant. You can keep doing this indefinitely and the sealant layer will build up to a very tough layer. I have areas that have been treated this way for 2 years! The main thing is that the deck is completely cleaned and prepared before being sealed and DO NOT put the sealant on too thick at one time (will attract dirt/footmarks if not set up properly). Pat/brush out areas that in which sealant can "pool" and rinse with water when dried at least to the "tacky" stage to rinse away uncured components and suspending agent. Rinsing between coats (if appying more than one coat in a day) also prevents trapping of uncured (sticky) components. Thanks Jim W >
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Robert B.
Thanks, Jim
Thanks for your advice. It is helpful, as always. I have placed my order for the kit and will let you know how it works out. Thanks again!
Thanks for your advice. It is helpful, as always. I have placed my order for the kit and will let you know how it works out. Thanks again!
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