How best to clean dirt and stain from textured deck surfaces

[polarbear]

Sailing is over here in Northern Michigan. So the boat is in the barn and I have time for a thorough cleaning. The smooth parts of the fiberglass are responding well to rubbing compound and elbow grease, but how to get the dirt out of the textured non-slip areas? Power wash? Stiff bristle brush? Bleach?
I know I'm a retired dentist, but PLEASE don't make me do the whole thing with a toothbrush.

 

[njlarry]

Re: How best to clean dirt and stain from textured deck surf

Lots of commercial deck cleaners for typical deck but if really bad I use a stiff plastic brush with Barkeepers Friend.

 

[$tingy Sailor]

I've had good results with the Star Brite product. Powers the grime right out without heavy scrubbing.

http://www.starbrite.com/item/non-skid-deck-cleaner-with-ptef

 

[centerline]

Re: How best to clean dirt and stain from textured deck surf

the least amount of work for the best cleaning on a the textured deck and around the fittings, hinges, and winches will be done with a pressure washer... pre-spray the soiled areas with simple green, awsome, purple power, or any other strong cleaner of your choice and spray away with the pressure washer... 1500psi is plenty of pressure, much more than that and you could damage any lines/ropes or canvas that you sweep across.... although you can do damage the lines and canvas with 1500psi if you linger on them if you are too close to it with the spray tip...

 

[shemandr]

Re: How best to clean dirt and stain from textured deck surf

I've used 3M's Non-Skid Deck Cleaner and a stiff but not too stiff scrub brush with good results. A little of the cleaner goes a long way. This is the labor intensive method.
If I had a power washer and a place to use it I would try that.

 

[Handidude]

Re: How best to clean dirt and stain from textured deck surf

If you're using rubbing compound there must be some serious oxidation. I only used that when I first bought my boat.
I've used several different cleaners all with good success. If the deck is really oxidized use Comet. It removes the marks and oxidation. I wouldn't use it on a regular basis. RollOff is available at marine stores and works well. Bleach Wite Tire Cleaner is basically the same thing and available at auto supply stores. If the deck doesn't have a lot of oxidation I just use some laundry bleach in a bucket of water. Do spirals with a long handle deck brush, let it sit for a while and hose off. Preferably wear shorts and have bare feet. The bleach will trash whatever you have on and sanitize your shoes too. Could wear shower sandals too.
I would not use a power washer. It also removes your bedding compound under things. You'll see an increased number of leaks if you keep using it.
Remember all cleaners make the deck slippery, don't end up in the drink or on your back. Older bodies don't heal that fast.

 

[Blue Pearl Captain]

Re: How best to clean dirt and stain from textured deck surf

Soft-scrub works well using a soft brush. Don't use it on gelcoat or fiberglass surfaces.
This past spring I used the McGuire fiberglass restoration kit on my freeboard and gelcoat surfaces with really nice results. Just follow directions on a dry day. I restored surfaces of an H27 and still had 1/3 left in each bottle. A little goes a long way: Cleaner, gelcoat restorer, wax.
Add elbow grease and mix to effect!

 

[heart of gold]

Re: How best to clean dirt and stain from textured deck surf

Magic Clean. A little elbow grease but this stuff works. Best stuff I found so far.

 

[jayncee]

Re: How best to clean dirt and stain from textured deck surf

Try using Awesome from the Dollar Tree stores with a brush or one of those reversible micro fiber sponge type cloths. Awesome is really awesome on a multitude of things and I couldn't do without it!!

 

[woodster]

Get Mary Kate to do it....

the easiest way is to use Mary Kate ....On and Off ...put it on ...keep it from drying out ...and rinse off ... kills oxidation at the same time...don't like pressure washing on a regular basis...... it will eventually ware the surface to a frazzle... this works well on gel coat...haven't tried on painted surfaces yet

 

[allen-deckard]

Re: How best to clean dirt and stain from textured deck surf

magic eraser you wont regret it. One wipe and it's gone but the textured service kind of make you go threw them fast but they work awesome.

 

[kito]

Re: How best to clean dirt and stain from textured deck surf

I spray mine down with a mild bleach solution and let sit a few minutes. It kills any mold in the crevices. I then use my low power pressure washer to spray it down, keeping it away from any deck fittings. Does a great job without all the scrubbing BS.

 

[LandLockedND]

"Flitz"

Flitz with a scrub brush, Flitz with a rag, Flitz with an electric buffer. A pint can of Flitz every couple of years keeps my boat, cars and many other things spotless. One of the best products I've ever used.

 

[dbecker68]

Barkeeper's Friend works well for us. Wet the surface, sprinkle it on and scrub with a brush.

 

[nicksmith]

Sailing is over here in Northern Michigan. So the boat is in the barn and I have time for a thorough cleaning. The smooth parts of the fiberglass are responding well to rubbing compound and elbow grease, but how to get the dirt out of the textured non-slip areas? Power wash? Stiff bristle brush? Bleach?
I know I'm a retired dentist, but PLEASE don't make me do the whole thing with a toothbrush.

Roll Off works great.

 

[wcwinder]

Roll Off

Lots of commercial deck cleaners for typical deck but if really bad I use a stiff plastic brush with Barkeepers Friend.

Be very careful of using oxalic acid (contained in Barkeepers Friend) and especially bleach as it can break down the gel coat. I would avoid bleach altogether. After using Barkeepers or other strong cleaner with a stiff brush, use Rolloff, available in many marine stores, that is a mild cleaner but leaves a dirt resistant but non slippery finish. Some even use it on canvas, chome, st. st., and on their sails.

 

[Union36]

Ajax or comet. Some type of cleanser gets all of the shoe prints, scuff marks, bug poop and what have you. Works beautifully.

 

[Ron20324]

Try using Awesome from the Dollar Tree ...

+ 1 on the Awesome Orange from the Dollar stores. Not quite a toothbrush, but I use a black toothbrush-style brush with a rectangle handle. You see them in 3-packs with a plastic/nylon, a brass, and a SS bristled version. Skip the metal ones, get the plastic ones from the hardware store. Spray on the Awesome then bristle-brush in both directions for those little dark spots that larger bristle-brush can't get to. It doesn't really take long on my 32.

 

[Justin_NSA]

Here's a list someone put together. I'll have to try some of them. I wouldn't used anything even mildly abrasive very often
Top 10 Boat-Cleaning Supplies

 

[haolesurferdude]

Deck Cleaning

Sadly, I find I am now a senior and have taken up the task of finding the easiest, non-physical methods to maintain the boat.

After many, many products and much experimentation, I have found the best method for cleaning the deck is to (1) hose off and keep wet; (2) apply StarBrite Deck Cleaner using a stiff plastic brush on a pole--cover about 6 to 9 square feet; (3) let sit for 2 to 3 minutes; (4) scrub the area in two cross directions following the non-skid pattern; (5) rinse and repeat until the deck is done; (6) rinse entire deck again; (7) apply Woody Wax with a very soft brush on a pole to seal non-skid. While Woody Wax recommends buffing the deck with a towel or other suitable cloth after it dries, I have to admit I skip that and go have lunch instead.

The Woody Wax is slippery when applying, but is absolutely not after it dries.