How do you clean Treadmaster?

[Rivers & creeks]

The new boat has some very dirty Treadmaster, what do you think is the best way of cleaning it? I was worried about chemicals potentially lifting it. There are just one or two edges that are lifting, what's the best way of sticking them back down?

Thanks. Simon

 

[Ubergeekian]

The new boat has some very dirty Treadmaster, what do you think is the best way of cleaning it? ... There are just one or two edges that are lifting, what's the best way of sticking them back down?

• Pressure washer.
• Contact adhesive, perhaps the Treadmaster stuff.

 

[dylanwinter]

Acetone

• Pressure washer.
• Contact adhesive, perhaps the Treadmaster stuff.

its my theory that if acetone won't get stuff clean then its there for-ever

just don't smoke or eat while using it

D

 

[Searush]

That's a big area to attack with Acetone & the risk of collateral damage to adhesives, sealants, & the GRP hull structure too, would be high if using industrial quatities of the wonder solvent Acetone.

Others I have seen with similar concerns ended up replacing the stuff which makes a significant impact on the vessel's appearance. But I'd certainly try floor cleaners & a stiff brush preceded & followed by pressure washing before resorting to the desperately hard work of getting the old stuff off & replacing it. Some will peel off easily, but some bits will stick like the proverbial to a blanket & will need chiselling or grinding to get off!

 

[davidfox]

When i had it years ago I used to pressure wash it from very close up.

 

[sarabande]

being made of an organic material, Treadmaster can be attacked by algal / lichenous growths, as on your pic.


I'd start by buying some sharp lawn sand from B&Q


http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=9426466&fh_location=//catalog01/en_GB/categories%3C{9372012}/categories%3C{9372020}/categories%3C{9372096}/specificationsProductType=lawn_feed__weed___moss_control/specificationsSpecificProductType=moss_killer

and then spread it on the surface, damp it down with fresh water, and cover it, leaving it for a couple of days.

Then scrub hard with a short bristled brush. Algae / lichens will be killed by the sulphates of iron and ammonia, and the sharp sand will act as a fine abrasive to clean the discoloured surface.

Dispose of the used sand in a thoughtful manner, as it is not kind to water life.

 

[Rivers & creeks]

I would never have guessed that as a solution! After cleaning, is painting an option? If so, is ordinary deck paint OK.

 

[Caer Urfa]

I would never have guessed that as a solution! After cleaning, is painting an option? If so, is ordinary deck paint OK.

I would be very surprised if a good Jet wash does not clean it all off, not one of your low powered jobbies but a good one.

If you have to suggest you do not use standard paint get some 'Treadcote' see here http://www.treadmaster.co.uk/treadcote.html
PS: That looks like the deck of a Colvic Watson !

Mike

 

[john_morris_uk]

We have had mixed results with pressure washing, but have found that a stiff deck scrubber and some clothes washing powder does a very efficient job. Lots of water to wet the deck, then sprinkle on the washing powder and scrub. Rinse off, repeat if necessary.

 

[LadyInBed]

I use a pressure washer on mine. Spray from centre toward edge so not to risk edge lifting.

 

[rob2]

If you have a pressure washer that can be dosed with detergents, etc. you might consider using patio cleaner as this is designed to remove just such growths from concrete slabs. However, if the boat is afloat, it is not suitable for release into the watercourse! Again, if you have the attachment for patios (with the swirling jets) it will help in ensuring the pressure is directed onto all the angled facets of the surface.

Rob.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

One of the B&Q patio cleaners brushed on with a soft brush followed by the pressure washer will remove the green stuff oxalic acid used in the same way also works. Use the treadmaster adhesive or epoxy to stick down making sure that the surfaces are dirt free and dry.
Treadmaster do a paint which is reputed to be very good at restoring faded colour, it like treadmaster is expensive, one of these days I will get round to doing mine!

 

[Rivers & creeks]

PS: That looks like the deck of a Colvic Watson !

Mike

It certainly is

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Elbow Grease and Still Bristles

.... but have found that a stiff deck scrubber and some clothes washing powder does a very efficient job. Lots of water to wet the deck, then sprinkle on the washing powder and scrub. Rinse off, repeat if necessary.

+1 on the scrubbing brush, stiff bristles type. I have not used washing powder but have used washing up liquid, plenty of low cost stuff. Scrub it all over until decks all foam, and then start again but with water only, finished with a hose down.

My own treadmaster was much like the bit in front of the bollard. It came up like the bit in front of the rope, same colour too. You could see at the stern where I finished last that I was flagging with the elbow grease. The good news is that it gets cleaner the more you do it. Then its dead easy to keep clean with a light scrub and water every now and again.

Elbow grease and stiff bristles!

 

[Hardley]

Tried several methods over the years, but this years effort was the best and cheapest.Morrisons own brand Bleach, put on neat, left for 15 minutes and then scrubed and washed off.

 

[VicMallows]

Morrisons own brand Bleach, put on neat, left for 15 minutes and then scrubed and washed off.

Yes! ....bean using bleach on the treadmaster of my companionway steps (top platform doubles as a food preparation surface) for years with no ill effects.

Vic

 

[ostell]

This little beastie works well for the scrubbing. SHMBO thinks it's great when cleaning the boat.

The picture is deceptive, it looks like an electric toothbrush for an elephant.

 

[Strathglass]

This little beastie works well for the scrubbing. SHMBO thinks it's great when cleaning the boat.

The picture is deceptive, it looks like an electric toothbrush for an elephant.

SWMBO read your post yesterday and said 'I WANT'

Ordered it with the set of heads yesterday and it has arrived this morning.

It looks very good. Even came with batteries in it.

We will be working on the boat today so it will be well tried out (by SWMBO)

 

[Rivers & creeks]

SWMBO likes that too and one now on order. But no good for the Treadmaster - there is about half a football pitch of it on the Kipper
Would be reminiscent of army punishment fatigues

 

[Dave99]

Pressure wash + TFR I reckon would work well