cmedsailor
Well-Known Member
Is it OK to wash the deck of a sailing boat (mainly GPR, some wood) with a 'usual' clothes washing up powder (eg Dixan) or a 'usual' liquid soap (for dishes)?
Washing the deck
- Thread starter cmedsailor
- Start date
BAtoo
Well-Known Member
Yes, but the specialist products are probably better - & a pressure washer helps too...
cmedsailor
Well-Known Member
Actually I should have asked wheather 'usual' powder or liquid soap will damage the deck or simply not clean it as good as a specialist product. This is the main concern.
BAtoo
Well-Known Member
Don't think either will damage GRP; washing powder may contain a bleach or whitener that could lighten the colour of un-sealed wood.
john m
Well-Known Member
just polished the hull on my 35s5 what is the best way to do the decks and cabin sides it to get them shiny but not slipy
john_morris_uk
Well-Known Member
We've found biological washing powder and a stiff brush to be an excellent way to clean our deck. Saves a lot of money on fancy 'boat cleaning' products.
tcm
...
it's ok, but not very effective.
Something that is pretty effective is "truckwash" or similar, which dissolves out the dirt otherwsie held in small crevices. But it is caustic so need fast rinse off.
For ultimate deck cleaner i have not yet found anything better than wessex GRP restorer system. Twp part, (1 part then rinse then 2nd part) it restores orginal grp colour and gets rid of any chalkiness. But prepare first with truckwash, and rinse heavily
Something that is pretty effective is "truckwash" or similar, which dissolves out the dirt otherwsie held in small crevices. But it is caustic so need fast rinse off.
For ultimate deck cleaner i have not yet found anything better than wessex GRP restorer system. Twp part, (1 part then rinse then 2nd part) it restores orginal grp colour and gets rid of any chalkiness. But prepare first with truckwash, and rinse heavily
jimbaerselman
Well-Known Member
I don't know if 'cmedsailor' refers to the locality of your boat, but you should be very wary of using any soaps or detergents for deck washing in the Eastern Med. If a complaint is lodged against you discharging soap suds overboard, you can be fined for pollution!
oldsaltoz
Well-Known Member
High Pressure cleaners do a pretty good job on non slip areas but take great care, particularly on older glass boats as the gel-coat can be thin and small holes will appear.
Avagoodweekend...... /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
Avagoodweekend...... /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
Billjratt
Well-Known Member
Pressure washers can damage wood, and GRP if it's had a lot of use and sunshine. Use only in broad-fan mode.
Talbot
Well-Known Member
"Flash" is very good at the cleaning - but it makes the deck very slippery while being washed. Fine when dry and then gets wet again.