By deck I mean all the deck including the moulded non-skid areas. Not worried about the topside or the bottom of the hull at this stage - topside is reasonably clean and in good condition and the bottom is antifouled.
I currently wash the deck with Starbrite "Non Skid Deck Cleaner with PTEF" and I am very happy with the results. The only problem left, after washing, is some ingrown mould in the gelcoat (mainly in the flat areas rather than the moulded non skid) and I find this comes off easily by rubbing with melamine foam pads (sold under various trade brands "Magic Eraser", Doktor Power", etc). The melamine foam also works on the non-skid but this tends to give the foam a hard time and I am not sure that it does to the sharp points of the non skid gelcoat much good.
I don't imagine the protection offered by the small amount of Teflon in the Non Skid Deck Cleaner would last very long. My question is:
"What do I use to seal the gelcoat against oxidation and UV once it is actually clean?
I have read Maine Sails excellent article on "Essential Tips for a Great Buff / Wax" and have no doubt that this is the way to go with the topsides (between waterline and rub rail) of the hull, however I am not at all clear about actually sealing the deck so that it will be:
1. Non slippery to walk on after treatment
2. Long lasting, as in at least 4 months and preferably 6 or more months.
3. Well protected from oxidisation and UV damage.
I have read many opinions about using the various (what appear to be) carnauba wax based products such as Collinite 885/845 / 855 / 925 / Insulator Wax/Fleetwax, Aurora "Sure Step", "Woody Wax", and (what appear to be) synthetic products such as Island Girl "SB Superglaze" and Island Girl "Non Skid Deck Sealant".
Is there a downside to using carnauba wax on the deck or is it the only way to go?
Currently I use Finesse It II and then Nu Finish on the topside and I am very happy with those products. If I used those on the deck and non skid (ie. Finesse It II and then Nu Finish) would it end up too slippery?? eg. shiny floors in a hospital are not necessarily slippery??.
Can I polish the deck and then use carnauba wax over the top to seal it??
I currently wash the deck with Starbrite "Non Skid Deck Cleaner with PTEF" and I am very happy with the results. The only problem left, after washing, is some ingrown mould in the gelcoat (mainly in the flat areas rather than the moulded non skid) and I find this comes off easily by rubbing with melamine foam pads (sold under various trade brands "Magic Eraser", Doktor Power", etc). The melamine foam also works on the non-skid but this tends to give the foam a hard time and I am not sure that it does to the sharp points of the non skid gelcoat much good.
I don't imagine the protection offered by the small amount of Teflon in the Non Skid Deck Cleaner would last very long. My question is:
"What do I use to seal the gelcoat against oxidation and UV once it is actually clean?
I have read Maine Sails excellent article on "Essential Tips for a Great Buff / Wax" and have no doubt that this is the way to go with the topsides (between waterline and rub rail) of the hull, however I am not at all clear about actually sealing the deck so that it will be:
1. Non slippery to walk on after treatment
2. Long lasting, as in at least 4 months and preferably 6 or more months.
3. Well protected from oxidisation and UV damage.
I have read many opinions about using the various (what appear to be) carnauba wax based products such as Collinite 885/845 / 855 / 925 / Insulator Wax/Fleetwax, Aurora "Sure Step", "Woody Wax", and (what appear to be) synthetic products such as Island Girl "SB Superglaze" and Island Girl "Non Skid Deck Sealant".
Is there a downside to using carnauba wax on the deck or is it the only way to go?
Currently I use Finesse It II and then Nu Finish on the topside and I am very happy with those products. If I used those on the deck and non skid (ie. Finesse It II and then Nu Finish) would it end up too slippery?? eg. shiny floors in a hospital are not necessarily slippery??.
Can I polish the deck and then use carnauba wax over the top to seal it??
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