Shorts
Member
Hi all I have a 30 yr old boat that I have been down scrubbing the decks to night how is the easiest way to get them white again
Old decks white
- Thread starter Shorts
- Start date
Alpha22
Well-Known Member
You may have to share some more info before you get any useful advice......
It would be helpful to know what the decks are made from and what the staining is?
GRP? wood? painted?
It would be helpful to know what the decks are made from and what the staining is?
GRP? wood? painted?
Shorts
Member
Sorry yes. The are grp and they are not stained just dull and gray
Alpha22
Well-Known Member
First step after a good wash with warm soppy water and a scrubbing brush would be oxalic acid. It is a white powder, buy it from ebay for a few pounds.
Dissolve 4 table spoons into a small bucket of warm water... not too warm... just over tepid.
Using suitable ppe.... it is an acid even if it is organic..... its not going to dissolve your arms, but will sting like hell in any cuts or your eyes!!
Apply to your grey grp then walk away for 15 minutes..... do it on a nice warm day for maximum effect.... no need to scrub, in fact that would be a waste of time.
A second application can help, then just wash down well with lots of fresh water.
Then do the rest of your boat..... it is truly amazing how brighter it will look.
Then do any polishing and waxing to protect.
Dissolve 4 table spoons into a small bucket of warm water... not too warm... just over tepid.
Using suitable ppe.... it is an acid even if it is organic..... its not going to dissolve your arms, but will sting like hell in any cuts or your eyes!!
Apply to your grey grp then walk away for 15 minutes..... do it on a nice warm day for maximum effect.... no need to scrub, in fact that would be a waste of time.
A second application can help, then just wash down well with lots of fresh water.
Then do the rest of your boat..... it is truly amazing how brighter it will look.
Then do any polishing and waxing to protect.
William_H
Well-Known Member
Don't be so sure the decks are supposed to be brilliant white. This will give too much glare in sunshine so decks are usually a beige or grey colour. Of course the oxalic acid or similar (even lemon juice) will clean the decks up nicely. good luck olewill
ronsurf
Well-Known Member
Oxalic will clean them up better than anything. Be warned they may not be white though. My Corribee has 'ivory' coloured decks, sort of greyish off white. Was like that from new, according to the sales literature.
Shorts
Member
thanks guys will give it another scrub and an oxalic wash
AntarcticPilot
Well-Known Member
I'd go stronger than others and suggest that white is a very uncommon colour for decks, partly to reduce glare and partly because decks can expect to get a bit dirty from time to time, and nothing shows dirt up more than white.
Concerto
Well-Known Member
If the boat was a Feeling from the 80's, they used grey gel coat.
Shorts
Member
It is a first 305
Spyro
Well-Known Member
A power washer can remove a surprising amount of grime.
