I've been cleaning, polishing, waxing the hull; what the best way to bring a dull deck back to life (the same way); any suggestions in procedure; the non-skid surface, the deck itself.
cleaning the deck
- Thread starter Tom Colley
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Woody Wax
Is what I use. I put it on a week before Memorial day weekend. I remember because I didn't follow the directions. Directions say that after applying, rinse with water to remove excess or it will be slippery. I figured that because I'm down here in Houston in 90+ degree heat that the excess will melt into the grooves and give me better protection and that I wasn't going anywhere soon anyway. Well, the following weekend I decided to sail to Port Author. I was out there with 6-8' waves with a deck that was like an ice ring. First thing I did when I got back was to rise it off. I was surprised that it worked. It's given perfect traction ever since AND....I haven't washed the deck since the day I applied it last May and the deck is still clean. Usually it would only last a week and then it's all nasty again. I do live in the most polluted county in the most polluted state in the US
So how is that for a testimonial? I will admit it's expensive...like $30 for a bottle. It took the whole bottle to do my deck (H376).
Is what I use. I put it on a week before Memorial day weekend. I remember because I didn't follow the directions. Directions say that after applying, rinse with water to remove excess or it will be slippery. I figured that because I'm down here in Houston in 90+ degree heat that the excess will melt into the grooves and give me better protection and that I wasn't going anywhere soon anyway. Well, the following weekend I decided to sail to Port Author. I was out there with 6-8' waves with a deck that was like an ice ring. First thing I did when I got back was to rise it off. I was surprised that it worked. It's given perfect traction ever since AND....I haven't washed the deck since the day I applied it last May and the deck is still clean. Usually it would only last a week and then it's all nasty again. I do live in the most polluted county in the most polluted state in the US
So how is that for a testimonial? I will admit it's expensive...like $30 for a bottle. It took the whole bottle to do my deck (H376).I had the oposite effect
I used Woody Wax twice. The first season it lost all effect in a couple of weeks. I decided to be fair and try it again for a second season, the same thing happened, a total waste of money. What it did do is run down the gunnels and cause dirty black waxey streaks on the sides of the boat. The product seems like a nice idea but you will have to re-apply every couple of weeks to benifit. BTY, I live on Long Island. Not a particularly harsh climate here.
I used Woody Wax twice. The first season it lost all effect in a couple of weeks. I decided to be fair and try it again for a second season, the same thing happened, a total waste of money. What it did do is run down the gunnels and cause dirty black waxey streaks on the sides of the boat. The product seems like a nice idea but you will have to re-apply every couple of weeks to benifit. BTY, I live on Long Island. Not a particularly harsh climate here.
3M
Tom, if West doesn't have them (or even if they do<G>) go to a local auto body shop supplier and get 3M's fiberglass products. Polishes, compounds, cleaners, strippers, sealers...you can call 3M's toll-free number to find out exactly which ones to use, these are commercial products that do an excellent job. On the non-skid the only way to get in there is to use a bristle brush and scrub, that goes with the territory. And a terry towel (for the texture) will absorb best for cleaning/waxing over it again. The anti-skid wax sounds counter-intuitive but there really is such stuff, just for boat decks and a few other purposes. If your anti-skid is still agressive, you won't need it. AXEL- The black run-off you get in Islip? Is probably a mixture rich in UNBURNED JET FUEL, basically kerosene soot, from the traffic at Islip-MacArthur. This is a problem within ten miles or so of any major airport, as the go to full rich throttle for takeoffs and landings, they generate a lot of soot. Worst at the Flushing Marina by LGA, but you'll have it too. It is just like diesel soot when it comes to making a mess, just spread a lot thinner.
Tom, if West doesn't have them (or even if they do<G>) go to a local auto body shop supplier and get 3M's fiberglass products. Polishes, compounds, cleaners, strippers, sealers...you can call 3M's toll-free number to find out exactly which ones to use, these are commercial products that do an excellent job. On the non-skid the only way to get in there is to use a bristle brush and scrub, that goes with the territory. And a terry towel (for the texture) will absorb best for cleaning/waxing over it again. The anti-skid wax sounds counter-intuitive but there really is such stuff, just for boat decks and a few other purposes. If your anti-skid is still agressive, you won't need it. AXEL- The black run-off you get in Islip? Is probably a mixture rich in UNBURNED JET FUEL, basically kerosene soot, from the traffic at Islip-MacArthur. This is a problem within ten miles or so of any major airport, as the go to full rich throttle for takeoffs and landings, they generate a lot of soot. Worst at the Flushing Marina by LGA, but you'll have it too. It is just like diesel soot when it comes to making a mess, just spread a lot thinner.
ISLAND GIRL
I use Island Girl and love it. You don't have to keep re-doing it. and it makes even dull oxidized gell coat look new again.
I use Island Girl and love it. You don't have to keep re-doing it. and it makes even dull oxidized gell coat look new again.
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