The project begins! Any advice for cleaning textured deck?

[seanfoster]

I have just taken ownership of my project boat, a Dufour 1800.
Structually in vgc, but cosmetically looks a mess, as its been standing in a garden for the last 4 years.
My first job is to strip most of the deck fittings and give her a well deserved clean.

So here is my question, what is the best way to clean the deck? I have cleaned my previous boats pretty well using a combination of Oxalic Acid (which is powdered magic!) various forms of jif etc, but I always have problems with a textured surface, in this a very fine diamond pattern.

The boat is covered in green slime, moss, leaves, you name it.
Can anyone give me the benefit of their experience in tackling this sort of job? I really would prefer not to paint the deck, is there a good way to bring her decks as near to a 'as new' condition as possible?

 

[Thistle]

Pressure washer ... before you move the fittings! (And you may find that you won't have to move them after all.)

 

[Tranona]

Pressure wash with a detergent in the water is a good start. Textured surfaces are always a problem because they hold the dirt and are difficult to apply cleaners and pressure evenly. Hard graft to get as good as possible and then decide whether it is worth painting.

 

[seanfoster]

Will a pressure washer on it's own remove this sort of grime?
[image]http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=gx1RhvqA[/image]
[image]http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=Pq1bAnDA[/image]

 

[seanfoster]

Images don't seem to have worked!

 

[Thistle]

[ QUOTE ]
Will a pressure washer on it's own remove this sort of grime?
[image]http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=gx1RhvqA[/image]
[image]http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=Pq1bAnDA[/image]

[/ QUOTE ]

I think you will be pleasantly surprised how much of this will shift with a pressure washer alone. It looks as though it's mostly surface grime / algae rather than staining. Certainly worth a go with a pressure washer before you concentrate on more stubborn areas with other methods.

If you don't have your own washer, most boatyards and tool hirers will be able to help.

 

[Strathglass]

With the right detergent most of the grime will come off quite easily with a pressure washer. But watch you do not get too close to any mastic sealing fittings.

On the second photo you may have to resort to a nail brush to get the remnants off.

Iain

 

[andyorr]

Google for something called Traffic Film Remover. On the recommendation of a friend I got some from Sealys. Dilute with water 5 to 1. Spray on with garden sprayer. Leave for 5 mins. Agitate with stiff sweeping brush then pressure wash off. Used to use it on my Moodys non slip grp deck. Worked very well. Also try mould and mildew remover from supermarket cleaning section. Be careful though as it is a bleach based product and I ruined an expensice pair of Henri Lloyd shorts!!

 

[Razorfish]

there is a chap on ebay selling traffic film remover and I think that I spotted some in Tool Mart at the weekend.

Like everyone else I reckon that a pressure washer should shift it

I'd resist the urge to remove deck fittings unless you need to. I mean, why spend the time buggering around when you could be out sailing? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

hope the clean up goes well.

andy

 

[seanfoster]

Point taken regarding the deck fittings! (problem is there's quite a bit of work to do overall so she won't be in the water this season, I have a little 19 footer to keep the withdrawal symptoms at bay!)

 

[Marsupial]

milton will do a good job and not hurt anything.

be careful if you pressure wash with strong detergents, dont get them on the boat next door

 

[isha]

heard of ordinary vinegar being sprayed on and left for the rain to wash off. Reputed to work wonders, and the chip shop smell soon passes.

 

[LittleSister]

[ QUOTE ]
cosmetically looks a mess, as its been standing in a garden for the last 4 years. I always have problems with a textured surface, in this a very fine diamond pattern. The boat is covered in green slime, moss, leaves, you name it.


[/ QUOTE ]

I had a boat just like this, and it cleaned up really well with just a standard hose with a gentle flow of water, and a combination of soft nylon brush (e.g. soft dustpan and brush type brush - too stiff and the bristles don't get into the grooves and texture) and a stiff scrubbing brush for certain areas (including the gunk that accumulates around fittings).

Once the serious grime is off you can clean up any remaining film with detergent, and any stains (only) with oxalic acid or related cleaners.

In my opinion using oxalic acid before you have removed the physical grime and you are just bleaching the grime (compare to toilet cleaning!).