what is the latest greatest thoughts/products on cleaning a dirty old deck?

sadworld

Member
Mar 30, 2016
70
michigan
Boat Info
1996 SeaRay Sundancer 270DA 1996
Engines
MERCRUISER 7.4 BRAVO3 OUTDRIVE
i've researched and didn't really find anything very recent. i'm hearing about products west marine(deck cleaner) and woody wax and soap also seemed to come up quite a bit. i have a 96 searay sundancer 270 and tried to clean the deck last year with power washing and scrubbing. NOPE! (got the boat mid last season) i need a real solution and some ideas for cleaning this beast up! any help is appreciated. basically just dirty, old looking and has these little brownish specs that i have no idea what they are but they do not come off...mainly for the textured deck and textured swim platform but i plan on giving the whole boat a once over... thanks.
 
Those brown specks could be flecks of rust from someone grinding or using steel wool and the shavings are imbedded in the gelcoat. You could try some acidic hull cleaner, if they are rust, it should help remove them.
How is the shine on the deck gel coat? If don't have much shine left, then a mild abrasive like soft scrub etc could clean up the deck. The kind with bleach helps whiten the gel coat. Only use an abrasive if you have oxidation or no shine, otherwise you can dull the finish. Can you post some pics of the deck and those specks?
 
A guy on the Facebook page posted about the drill brush, it is an absolute god send. I did our top decks today using it on a cordless drill and a small amount of ptfe west marine non skidcleaner and they look new. They were covered in black dots and all kinds of crap from the layout prior. This picture doesn't even do it justice. I also use them to clean side decks, cockpit sole, and even the vinyl seats. It's my favorite new tool
 
learned that trick on Boat Works Today using a 6" carpet brush in a cordless drill.
yep, exact same thing. I'm obsessed with it I've been cleaning everything using them. I might get some stiff bristle ones for the bilge
 
This may be blasphemous, but on the non-skid, before the rest of the boat is waxed, I mix up a 50/50 solution of clorox and water in a garden sprayer, wet the deck, spray a small section with the solution, use a soft scrub brush on a stick, dipped in soapy water to spread the solution. Let sit for a couple of minutes, scrub lightly and rinse thoroughly. The result is a gleaming white deck.
 
Put some non skid Woody wax on that and you will be happy!

This may be blasphemous, but on the non-skid, before the rest of the boat is waxed, I mix up a 50/50 solution of clorox and water in a garden sprayer, wet the deck, spray a small section with the solution, use a soft scrub brush on a stick, dipped in soapy water to spread the solution. Let sit for a couple of minutes, scrub lightly and rinse thoroughly. The result is a gleaming white deck.
 
If you have a West Marine near by look for a spray bottle called Roll Off. A little goes a long way. Works great! Follow up with the Woody, just watch your step when using the Woody, it's VERY slick!!


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A guy on the Facebook page posted about the drill brush, it is an absolute god send. I did our top decks today using it on a cordless drill and a small amount of ptfe west marine non skidcleaner and they look new. They were covered in black dots and all kinds of crap from the layout prior. This picture doesn't even do it justice. I also use them to clean side decks, cockpit sole, and even the vinyl seats. It's my favorite new tool
what page? i'm looking for a video or product info....
 
Roll Off and a magic eraser works great.
 
ok thanks for the ideas... wouldn't i want the soft brush for non skid? or should i go with a medium stiffness? gonna get one... i think under that dirt and crud i got some shine left so i don't want to damage it...
 
I used medium but I bet the soft would do just fine as well. Grab one of each, you'll find a million uses for them. I know I have
 
Should i be usi g the drill brush on the sides/smooth gelcoat? I have a couple areas where i can see water has dripped down and stained and also a couple docking marks. Was wanting to BRUSH them off.....
 

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