Deck Cleaning

[Rick]

I'm a new owner of a 33' sailboat and wondering the best ways to keep the deck clean. Specifically, best cleaning practices for:-Smooth fiberglass surfaces...scuff marks from shoes(to wax or not to wax)-Non Skid-Windows/ports(Armor All type sealant?)I welcome any advice!

 

[GJ 532]

Keep it waxed

First, cleaning the deck with a good boat soap, use a soft brush to remove all the easy dirt. Then use a harder brush to scrub hard to remove spots. If it won't come up, the old "soft scrub" seems to do the trick. It is the best for getting the hard to get off spots. Once you get it cleaned, wax the smooth fiberglass not the non skid. A good wax is key, it will make your cleaning much easier the next time you wash down. I will use a zip style wax every now and then on the whole boat, but will use a liquid wax 2 - 3 times a year to keep the washing simple. The ports can be cleaned mild soap, and use a windex that can be used on acrilic. You can wax the ports as well, just be sure the cleaning and the waxing are done with MICRO FIBER cloth, no scratches.I am sure you will get a lot of posts to this, everybody has there own cleaning practices. So I am sure you will find some good products that you will like.Enjoy your boat!Gary

 

[Jerry Clark H356 SV Persi]

Softscrub, Wax, Woodywax, Magic Eraser

I use softscrub with bleach to clean the entire deck, then use wax on the smooth parts. Use Woodywax on the non-skid and follow their directions. This keeps the fiberglas smooth and makes interittent cleanng mostly just a rinse and the rain does a pretty good job. If you start to see dirt reappearing, repeat the process where needed. Refresh the woodywax as needed to keep water balled up on the deck. Woodywax is not slippery, but will give you the necessary smooth finish to keep dirt out of the surface. Take a soft rag or brush and water to remove bird droppings and spider dung. Clean up is much easier using this technique.For scuff marks, use Magic Eraser. They are very effective.

 

[Steve O.]

I don't like Soft Scrub

The kind with the grit is hard on the gelcoat, IMO. Soft Scrub gel with bleach is good, but I just use boat soap with a little bleach.

 

[Scott B]

Natural Marine

I just did mine a month ago. Cleaned the deck with Natural Marine boat soap, and Spiider Spot Remover. Then used the Deck Traction Wax on the non-skid and smooth areas, since I walk down the smooth deck as well. So far, I've noticed the deck is much easier to keep clean and is not slippery to walk on.