Hey all, I am new to the world of boats. Right now I am thinking of buying a 1983 Hunter 25.5 the boat is in decent condition (Having it surveyed next week) the one thing I did notice is pretty much all the surfaces from the deck up (Deck, bench seats, cabin exterior) are slightly chalky. I read an article over on Sailnet about bringing the shine back. It says to clean the surfaces and then use MEK to remove any oils from the deck. What is MEK and where would I get it. Next they suggest waxing it, but I am thinking I might need to polish first or use a wax/polish combo. Any thoughts? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks, Jeremy
Chalky Decks...
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MEK is Methyl Ethyl Ketone I believe, a solvent
or "cleaning" agent akin to acetone or toluene, probably available most hardwares. I use a "pre-wax" cleaner like Mother's to remove light chalk, stains, rub marks etc. It has a polish component and a little wax, if something like this won't cut it you must use something coarser like a "polishing" compound, then coarser still is a "rubbing" compound. Try to use the finest, mildest thing that will do the job. This is for the smooth surfaces, non-skid is a little trickier depending on it's exact nature.
or "cleaning" agent akin to acetone or toluene, probably available most hardwares. I use a "pre-wax" cleaner like Mother's to remove light chalk, stains, rub marks etc. It has a polish component and a little wax, if something like this won't cut it you must use something coarser like a "polishing" compound, then coarser still is a "rubbing" compound. Try to use the finest, mildest thing that will do the job. This is for the smooth surfaces, non-skid is a little trickier depending on it's exact nature.
Ok
By nonskid do you mean the textured deck or just achiveing a non-skid, but protected surface? Which Mothers product are you referring to? CALIFORNIA GOLD® ORIGINAL FORMULA CARNAUBA CLEANER WAX is what I found on their site that sounded like what you described. Thanks again. -- Jeremy
By nonskid do you mean the textured deck or just achiveing a non-skid, but protected surface? Which Mothers product are you referring to? CALIFORNIA GOLD® ORIGINAL FORMULA CARNAUBA CLEANER WAX is what I found on their site that sounded like what you described. Thanks again. -- Jeremy
Yes,They make a Pre-wax Cleaner in the same
line, I usually use the pre-wax cleaner, then the carnuba cleaner wax, both of which are liquids. Then I put on a coat of their pure carnuba paste wax which is really easy cause by this time you are just waxing the wax. But this fills anything in the way of voids or thin spots in the wax and aids longevity. I might add this is probably one of the more excessive methods but it really looks good. Four Seasons used to make a good boat wax also and "Harley" wax is a good quality pure carnuba also. Your ultimate goal is a really clean smooth surface which will accept a nice coat of pure carnuba. The non-skid is either a texture of the surface or something in the surface (a grit) or a combo. First thing is to get it really clean then try to preserve that with something un-slippery.
line, I usually use the pre-wax cleaner, then the carnuba cleaner wax, both of which are liquids. Then I put on a coat of their pure carnuba paste wax which is really easy cause by this time you are just waxing the wax. But this fills anything in the way of voids or thin spots in the wax and aids longevity. I might add this is probably one of the more excessive methods but it really looks good. Four Seasons used to make a good boat wax also and "Harley" wax is a good quality pure carnuba also. Your ultimate goal is a really clean smooth surface which will accept a nice coat of pure carnuba. The non-skid is either a texture of the surface or something in the surface (a grit) or a combo. First thing is to get it really clean then try to preserve that with something un-slippery.
you might find that a power wash on the
deck will get rid of a lot of the chalk without having to use a lot of chemicals and the use of wax on non skid. Vic
deck will get rid of a lot of the chalk without having to use a lot of chemicals and the use of wax on non skid. Vic
Any Tips...
Any tips for application? I have an orbital buffer, but what about between the windows and other tight spaces?
Any tips for application? I have an orbital buffer, but what about between the windows and other tight spaces?
MEk - nasty stuff
Be careful about using MEK - the material data sheets scared the hell out of me with effects ranging from birth defects to brain damage. Do a bit of researchon this stuff and take necessary precautions - ie respirator. Good luck!
Be careful about using MEK - the material data sheets scared the hell out of me with effects ranging from birth defects to brain damage. Do a bit of researchon this stuff and take necessary precautions - ie respirator. Good luck!
Just clean
the decks and anything else on the boat with a product called Simple Green and some old fashioned scrub brushes and towels. Get down on your hands and knees!! Spray full strength from the bottle, on a wet deck. Another good product is Clorox soft scrub, either will remove the chalk and probably most all the stains too. Good Luck.
the decks and anything else on the boat with a product called Simple Green and some old fashioned scrub brushes and towels. Get down on your hands and knees!! Spray full strength from the bottle, on a wet deck. Another good product is Clorox soft scrub, either will remove the chalk and probably most all the stains too. Good Luck.
I USE THIS WITH SUCCESS...
I wet down my MAC 26 topside, then use full strength "wash'n wax" stuff from WAL MART. Works great. But Ive learned than a "mop-brush" for the deck works best and FAST. It looks like a Patio Broom, but has soft bristles and is about 12 inches wide. It cleans well, and then just do a light rinse.
I wet down my MAC 26 topside, then use full strength "wash'n wax" stuff from WAL MART. Works great. But Ive learned than a "mop-brush" for the deck works best and FAST. It looks like a Patio Broom, but has soft bristles and is about 12 inches wide. It cleans well, and then just do a light rinse.
Clean them with some of the aforementioned and...
Jeremy: Cleaning the decks and other areas with power washing, simple green etc. are good ways to get the junk off the topsides and deck. Once you have them throughly cleaned try some Island Girl Pink and one of those little battery powered scrubbers with a scrubbie pad attachment. This product DOES remove the oxidation. It is NOT a wax, but it cleans and conditions. Once you have a treated surface you can use their wax or any other wax product to treat your gel coat. You do not want to use regular wax on your non-skid, but waxes like Collinite or any other quality wax will keep you boat look good for many months. Island Girl also sells some other products if you prefer to use their entire product line. The difference between Island Girl and many of the other products on the market is the fact that it reconditions your gel coat. I personally would stay away from MEK and Acetone products unless you are using them at as a last resort. One of the scrubbers is the "Black & Decker S500 ScumBuster Cordless Power Scrubber", they are under $40.
Jeremy: Cleaning the decks and other areas with power washing, simple green etc. are good ways to get the junk off the topsides and deck. Once you have them throughly cleaned try some Island Girl Pink and one of those little battery powered scrubbers with a scrubbie pad attachment. This product DOES remove the oxidation. It is NOT a wax, but it cleans and conditions. Once you have a treated surface you can use their wax or any other wax product to treat your gel coat. You do not want to use regular wax on your non-skid, but waxes like Collinite or any other quality wax will keep you boat look good for many months. Island Girl also sells some other products if you prefer to use their entire product line. The difference between Island Girl and many of the other products on the market is the fact that it reconditions your gel coat. I personally would stay away from MEK and Acetone products unless you are using them at as a last resort. One of the scrubbers is the "Black & Decker S500 ScumBuster Cordless Power Scrubber", they are under $40.
Second the pink
Second on the Island Girl Pink (but not the rest of their stuff), cause it really does recondition the gelcoat rather than just remove the oxidized layer. Then a couple coats of a good UV filtered wax to reseal the gelcoat. (It's the UV that oxidizes the gelcoat.) Tom
Second on the Island Girl Pink (but not the rest of their stuff), cause it really does recondition the gelcoat rather than just remove the oxidized layer. Then a couple coats of a good UV filtered wax to reseal the gelcoat. (It's the UV that oxidizes the gelcoat.) Tom
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