Cleaning deck paint, or alternative 'smooth' antislip

[stuhaynes]

Our deck paint is a nightmare to even try and clean. It rags the bristles out of the brush and the cleaning is virtually useless. Is there (possibly a contradition in terms) a 'smooth' deck paint that still works but that is cleanable without the use of a jet wash?

 

[theoldsalt]

Stuhaynes,

I had a wooden boat years ago and each year painted the deck with "smooth" paint and sand added to give a really rough non-slip finish. Yes it ruined a couple of brushes each time. Sailed the Severn Estuary well known for mud and muddy water but nothing a bucket and deck scrubber could not handle.

What kind of dirt do you have that is so difficult to wash off?

 

[stuhaynes]

Stuhaynes,

I had a wooden boat years ago and each year painted the deck with "smooth" paint and sand added to give a really rough non-slip finish. Yes it ruined a couple of brushes each time. Sailed the Severn Estuary well known for mud and muddy water but nothing a bucket and deck scrubber could not handle.

What kind of dirt do you have that is so difficult to wash off?

After 'out of water maintenance' last year the old girl looked smashing, but spoiled by the canvas decks. I had a couple of litres of Sikkens left so bought some International 'fine grade' sand and mixed it. It went on a treat and looked great, until it came to cleaning. I don't think that our muck is much different to yours, it's just a b*gger to get off. I'm just wondering whether to try a spray cleaner to lift the dirt in case of air born oily deposits from the motorway 1/4 of a mile a way. The motorway is west of us, where most of the wind comes from.

 

[Elessar]

After 'out of water maintenance' last year the old girl looked smashing, but spoiled by the canvas decks. I had a couple of litres of Sikkens left so bought some International 'fine grade' sand and mixed it. It went on a treat and looked great, until it came to cleaning. I don't think that our muck is much different to yours, it's just a b*gger to get off. I'm just wondering whether to try a spray cleaner to lift the dirt in case of air born oily deposits from the motorway 1/4 of a mile a way. The motorway is west of us, where most of the wind comes from.

try starbright non skid deck cleaner. Pricey but I have found it effective.
Wet deck, squirt some on, work it in with a soft deck brush, leave for a while but don't allow it to dry, rework with soft brush, hose off.
Really seems to lift the dirt out of the low spots.

 

[theoldsalt]

Stuhaynes,

I now understand your problem which I share with you.

I now have a GRP boat with the non-slip deck finish moulded in. My boat is also moored close-to and down wind of a motorway bridge. It is the oil and rubber and grit blown off the road surface that causes the problem. I have to wash the decks every time I visit the boat to prevent a build-up of deposits. Although the boat is wintered ashore nearby the build-up is far less due to considerably more rain.

During the summer I sometimes get down on hands and knees with a hand scrubber and a bucket of warm soapy water to clean the decks. I haven't tried any special products from the local chandlery as frequent use needed would be very expensive.

I do find that using salt water to wash the decks when away from home port much better than the fresh in the river where the boat is kept.

 

[rob2]

I don't know whether it would work or maybe even work too well, but there are caravan cleaners intended to remove road dirt, e.g. MucOff. Could be worth trying, but probably somewhat environmentally undesirable, so maybe best only when the boat is ashore.

Rob.

 

[rob2]

Has anyone tried using chlorinated rubber paint as non-slip? I have no idea how hardwearing it may be, but it is certainly nice and "tacky" in its grip. It used to be dirt cheap and suddenly a few years ago it quadrupled in price. not sure how you'd clean it either!

Rob.

 

[P4Paul]

When we were selling our yacht I used Farecla Deep Clean Wash on the non slip deck areas. I also used Farecla Rapid Stain Remover on the tough bits but our decks were GRP so I can't comment on how this works with painted surfaces.

Not the cheapest products and took a bit of effort but the boat looked fantastic after and was sold and gone within five weeks of being on the market.