Washing Deck

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seeray96

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I've read comments on this site, as well as others, as to the "preferred" products for hull cleaning. Before spring launching, I have the hull and deck waxed and buffed. I don't usually bother with subsequent hull work unless the boat needs to be hauled for some reason. Therefore, routine external cleaning is relegated to the canvas and deck.

I've been using Roll-off for the deck, but some feel it is too strong. So, what product would you guys recommend for routine weekly deck washdowns that will have a minimal effect on the wax?
 
If you have been using Roll-Off, you've probably removed any wax that you applied in your pre-launch work.

After trying many products for regular boat washing, I am sold on Orpine Wash & Wax. It preserves the wax finish I worked hard to obtain better than anything else I have used, and it does a good job cleaning if you are a regular washer.
 
Just wash with a good stream of fresh water; towel dry afterwards.
 
Liz,

Apparently you don't have many ducks or gulls at your marina.
[:-yuck]
 
LIz -

Re: Eric's comment about ducks and gulls - the marina is on the Niagara River (Buffalo) and about 3 mi. from Lake Erie. Lots of flying "visitors." I'm not there every day, so I do need more than water.

Ray
 
I use Future Floor wax on the deck and water and a long handled brush there after. I will put another coat of Future on maybe next weekend. The Future wax closes the pores of the non-skid, and dirt does not stick, other non-skid properties are affected.
 
quote:
Originally posted by seeray96

LIz -Re: Eric's comment about ducks and gulls - the marina is on the Niagara River (Buffalo) and about 3 mi. from Lake Erie. Lots of flying "visitors." I'm not there every day, so I do need more than water.Ray
Click to expand...


True, we only have starlings and I don't get much droppings in a covered slip! I think I'd have a mooring cover to keep the deck clean if I had Eric's problem.......
 
I keep the entire cockpit area covered when we are away from the boat - everything aft of the windshield to the transom is enclosed (it's a Sundancer). But, that leaves everything forward of the windshield a target plus all the canvas and the arch.

I have been pretty fortunate so far - the birds mostly leave me alone as they seem to prefer the more open boats, especially those with open fly bridges. But they do like open cockpits too. There is an open Maxum 3000 about halfway between my boat and the shore that has been neglected for a couple of years. As I left this afternoon I counted six recently laid duck eggs in the forward part of the cockpit, and that's the neat part of what the ducks left behind.
 
Ray,

Maybe this seems like one of those dumb questions, but what result do you want to achieve - just clean, or looking as near new as possible, or protection, or something else ? The best products and schedule usually goes with the results wanted.
 
I just try to tell you what works, take it or leave it, but it works.
 
Eric -

I'm not looking for "like new." Clean would be great, without the messy evidences of bird "visits." The canvas is white stamoid material, installed over the winter.

Ray
 
Then on the fiberglass, after it's properly waxed weekly washings with Orpine Wash & Wax should do the trick - dry if you choose, it will give a better result but unless your water is very hard isn't really necessary.

If you wanted to go for like new glitz then you can add finishing with a carnuba spray wax (I like the Eagle One Nanowax automotive product) as a topper after washing about every two to four weeks. Doing the spray wax requires that you dry the boat after washing before doing the spray treatment. A fifty footer is a lot of boat to dry and then rub over again.
 
My detailer recommends Bon Ami. It is very finely ground egg shells with some bleach. It will not remove wax, but will rub out stains. Shake it on the area, take a damp sponge and rub until clean. then take a dry clean soft cloth and polish area. You will be amazed!
 
I bought one of the "baloons" with the eyeballs that's supposed to frighten the birds. Some of the guys at the marina say they work. We'll see. After a week without washdown, the dock area looks like the set from Hitchcock's famous movie. I expect to see Tipi Hedren walking along the wall anytime!

Thanks to all for the tips.
 
Boats in my marina have all sorts of things to try to keep birds away - rubber snakes, owl decoys, etc. The biggest problem I have is all the duck poo on the docks - really slick, and once it gets in the siping on deck shoes it not easy to remove.
 
Eric -

Speaking of ducks, you oughta' see my swim platform. I only wish it was on the docks!

We need spell check - "balloons."
 
Jim, I tried Future floor wax and had negative results. I used it on the cockpit and swim platform as a test run before doing the deck. I thoroughly cleaned every square inch of the cockpit with a brush, soap, and magic erasers, to ensure it was clean. I applied two coats of Future with a sponge, and let it dry overnight. The floor was still tacky, and now, I have a handful of yellow stains that won't come off. I've tried everything I have on these stains, even On/Off, bleach, Spray 9, Simple Green, FSR, still there. Did you ever get these stains?
 
When I first used it years ago, I had some yellow streaking, I used Ajax on the non-skip only and they came off, never had any since. My boat is off white, but the guy who told me about Future had a white boat and he had no problems. I have to believe it is some of the other left over wax.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Flutterby

My detailer recommends Bon Ami. It is very finely ground egg shells with some bleach. It will not remove wax, but will rub out stains. Shake it on the area, take a damp sponge and rub until clean. then take a dry clean soft cloth and polish area. You will be amazed!

Click to expand...

Your detailer is looking for something quick and cheap. Bon Ami is abrasive and is a poor choice for cleaning a boat, even the non-skid. Over time, this will remove the gelcoat. In the meantime it is leaving tiny scratches that pick up and hold dirt and such. This requires more frequent cleaning and of course causes more damage.

Starbrite makes a product that works very well on non-skid boat decks and will not harm anything.

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

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This is also available under the Attwood brand name at Walmart.

I've been using this product for several years and it works well and provides some protection to the surface as well as cleaning it. Follow the directions.
 
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