How to clean the cockpit?

Jared1048 · Jul 6, 2011

I'm in a similar situation and I've been using 3M Compounding and a buffer to get those exact marks off. Wish there was something else that could take those marks off while not also taking layers of the gel coat with it.

-Jared

RAD88 · Jul 6, 2011

You can try "Bon Ami". It never scratches. We use to use it to polish spotlight mirrors. Just try a test spot first. For stainless try "Bar Keepers Friend". It was the fastest and easiest stainless cleanup ever. Both can be bought at the supermarket.

LuzSD · Jul 6, 2011

Magic Erasers are so great when appropriate

Have you already tried Magic Erasers, they remove almost all stains. If appropriate you then can wax and buff ....

Steve Dion · Jul 6, 2011

Luz:

We use these in our head compartment all the time and they really do work. It takes the black/dirt out of the non-skid finish in the boat head. We also use it in the shower at home periodically with good success too.

I think that Reduc would be best using a buffer and compound to remove the things that I have seen. Compound and wax will bring back much or the original finish.

Jared1048 · Jul 6, 2011

redunculous said:
Jared

Just in case it doesn't work, what exactly are you using can I ask?

3m Rubbing Compound - Its basically liquid sandpaper.
http://www.amazon.com/3M-Super-Duty..._5?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1310008171&sr=1-5

If your doing anything with the gel coat I'd highly recommend finding the post in "Musings With Maine Sail" thats titled "Tips for a great buff wax". It will walk you through all the step necessary to get your gel coat looking brand new. I've recently followed them all and its results were amazing.

Cheers,
-Jared

Jared1048 · Jul 18, 2011

redunculous said:
Rad

That stuff is brilliant!!

Jared, go and get some of this, it requires some muscle thats for sure but my cockpit and deck is coming up like new! (dont expect an easy one you have to rub hard but it really works)

I used the powder form and just dust it over the area I am working and then one of the non-scratch pan scrubbers you can buy from walmart etc.

All the heavy duty marks I thought were going to require compound have lifted off, I've done one half of the cockpit and the deck so far and I'm so happy with the results.

For the non skid I liberally dusted it down and then used a big scrubbing brush from ace hardware and its come up great.

Rad thanks again!

Wow you were not kidding!! I used a can and went straight back to the store and bought 4 more. 2 cans did the trick and my top sides are so white it almost hurts my eyes.

The erasers took the scuff marks off pretty easy also. went through it pretty quick but for about $5, well worth the money.

Cheers,
-Jared

steves22278 · Jul 19, 2011

We use Totally Awesome cleaner available at Dollar Tree stores for $1 a spray bottle. This stuff takes off scuff marks, bird poop, and grit and grime from nonskid. Instructions say that you can dilute it but we use it full strength from spray bottle. Cleaned our cockpit, coamings, and transom recently and used three or four ounces. Stuff worked so well that I returned a big jug of nonskide deck cleaner that I had just bought at West Marine.

Jared1048 · Jul 19, 2011

sstarley said:
We use Totally Awesome cleaner available at Dollar Tree stores for $1 a spray bottle. This stuff takes off scuff marks, bird poop, and grit and grime from nonskid. Instructions say that you can dilute it but we use it full strength from spray bottle. Cleaned our cockpit, coamings, and transom recently and used three or four ounces. Stuff worked so well that I returned a big jug of nonskide deck cleaner that I had just bought at West Marine.

I bought that same stuff and it doesn't work half as well. Stuff was $22 also!

LuzSD · Jul 19, 2011

I have to ask........ When I read the advice of using Bon Ami, I was surprised to read also non- abrasive (never scratches) in the same post. I grew up with Bon Ami and was always under the impression that it was a name brand for a generic scouring powder like 'Ajax', 'Comet' etc. I thought those are very very abrasive but from what you all are reporting, you are able to use this just as you'd use it in a kitchen sink?...which I stopped doing years ago because of how abrasive it was. I can see using something like this on the non skid areas, seats etc. where a boat was in very bad shape with mold and worse. But it will remove gelcoat if used routinely correct?? What am I missing?

Peggie Hall HeadMistress · Jul 19, 2011

BonAmi is different from Comet, SoftScrub, Ajax etc...

They have a coarse abrasive in 'em that will most definitely scratch gelcoat, steel, porcelain etc. BonAmi has a very FINE pumice in it that CAN scour the top layer off anything if you stand there scrubbing long enough with enough of it, but it won't scratch the surface while it does it...it's closer to being a compound than a cleanser. Which is what makes BonAmi an excellent cleanser on anything, but especially on surfaces that scratch easily. Unfortunately, it's not that easy to find any more.

Steve Dion · Jul 19, 2011

SoftScrub works too, but like Peggie says, they all have abrasives (some more than others) so you need to rub as little as possible. Once the surfaces are clean again you should consider waxing/polishing the surface to seal it.

I like to use Island Girl Pink after removing these stubborn marks and then waxing the surface to seal it.

Carl sv WINDROSE · Aug 16, 2011

Rad88 suggested Bon Ami and Barkeepers Friend. I use Bon Ami on glassware with good results. Over the past two years Barkeepers Friend has become my friend. It is great on stainless - use it on your galley and head sinks and people will think you just bought new ones. It is the best product I found for taking rust stains off of fiberglass - not as messy as On-And_Off and more effective than West Marine or Davis FSR gel.

Barkeepers Friend and a brush for non-skid or sponge for sommth fibreglass takes off most any ddirt. It also takes off any wax, so rewax the smooth surfaces.

One final application iof BKF s the boot stripe when you haul your boat.

Spcharby · Aug 17, 2011

redunculous said:
Hi all

Whilst I slowly work my way through the boat replacing hinges, re-staining teak etc I've noticed that the cockpit has quite a lot of marks and scratches.

I am going to be hauling the boat soon to paint the bottom and buff the sides and would like to know what people find is the best to do the cockpit with.

I was told by a west marine guy to use 300 grit sandpaper (wet) and then buff afterwards - can anyone confirm if this will be ok?

I've attached some pictures -

I would also like to look into replacing or at least touching up the gray grip that I believe is stuck on? Does anyone know anything about this?

Thanks again

Redunc

Try Flitz - works great for those extra tough stains. http://www.flitz.com/

If you have large surface areas try the Magic Eraser, also works great. Be careful with the Magic Eraser, as the residue will stain canvas and will also craze your isinglass and plexiglas.

Good luck!

Steve
S/V Belle
H36 #207

robertsapp · Aug 18, 2011

Magic Erasers are made of melamine foam and are abrasive. They are basically very fine sanding blocks. They work great in most applications, but you'd probably want to avoid them in situations where you wouldn't want to scratch up the surface. Try one on a piece of Plexi sometime and see what it does to the surface.

How to clean the cockpit?

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