|
Post by mgsailor on Jul 9, 2014 21:22:39 GMT
I have a SO 379 and am working hard to keep it looking like new. I regularly wax all smooth fiberglass surfaces to protect them, but I have been afraid to wax the deck for fear that it will become slippery. In addition, the deck has an agressive pyramid-shaped non-skid pattern that is great at creating traction when wet, but is very difficult to clean let alone wax.
Any suggestions?
|
|
|
Post by Don Reaves on Jul 10, 2014 0:26:53 GMT
You're right. Getting the deck clean is quite difficult with the non-skid pattern that Jeanneau uses. I have found that a hand scrub brush works. You have to direct the scrubbing motion along the pattern, first one way and then the other. It's a lot of work. A good cleaner goes a long way. I hesitate to recommend the one I use because I don't know how environmentally friendly it is. Basically, it's a citrus-based (i.e. orange) cleaner that you can buy at home stores. The other thing that works, but is mentioned in the owner's manual as something you shouldn't use is a power washer, since it can damage the fiberglass. Once you get the surface clean, you can use a product called Woody Wax. Go to www.amazon.com and search for it. It's a spray-on preparation that protects the surface and supposedly helps keep it clean. I've used it, but can't attest to the latter claim. Practical Sailor reviewed it several years ago and thought it was good for some kinds of stains. Don
|
|
|
Post by rapide on Jul 10, 2014 1:32:20 GMT
Hand scrubbing seems to be required regardless of any cleaner that I have used. I've used Star brite Non-Skid Boat Deck Cleaner with PTEF and also Lysol bathroom cleaner because the deck gets spots down in the anti skid and maybe it's mildew? Anyway, I have scrubbed the deck of our 379 almost once a week since we got the boat, over a year now. Next week it gets professionally compounded and waxed.
|
|
|
Post by mgsailor on Jul 12, 2014 0:48:59 GMT
Thank you for the feedback. rapide, please post a follow up to let us know what the professionals use on your boat. Thanks!
|
|
|
Post by alenka on Jul 12, 2014 8:41:04 GMT
It is interesting that the manual says dont use a pressure washer because it may damage the glass fibre.
I have yet to see a yard that doesn't pressure wash your hull at the very least when it comes out of the water. I suspect Jeanneau are merely covering themselves against misuse. I do use a very small power washer with a low psi and the jet set to fan, also taking care not to go too close to anything that might leak.
At the end of the day there is still no substitute for a good old fashioned hand scrub. I don't like Star-Brite products I think they just don't do the job.
Have a look at Shurehold Industries 'How to Clean a Boat' videos on YouTube. The presentation is very American but I do find the products work very well, with the exception of 'Perfect Finish' which just dosn't give the deep shine promised. The 3M or (I think its called) 'Foultons Nano Polish' do however, as a last step, give that boat show finish that will last a season. I can't find a disributor for Shurehold in Europe but they will ship to you.
The one problem I have yet to find a solution for are those odd spots of rust contamination which leave brown spots!?!
|
|
|
Post by dnickj on Jul 12, 2014 8:56:06 GMT
The answer to brown rust spots is oxalic acid works wanders
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
|
|
rayb
Junior Member
Posts: 16
|
Post by rayb on Jul 23, 2014 12:53:52 GMT
The answer to brown rust spots is oxalic acid works wanders Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Agree. oxalic acid works very well. Same as wood cleaner from Bunnings or such, about $7 bottle and last ages depending on usage. Depending on severity of the stain, a capful (50mls in about 250 mls of water. I usually dampen a face washer and squeeze out gently so as not to cause drips and runs. Wipe the area slowly in small sections, wait 5 mins surface is white again. Rinse thoroughly. Excellent for yellowing hull at waterline, rust stains. But the area must be polished again as the polish is removed from the surface. I have used this for years on several boats I've owned.
|
|
|
Post by rapide on Jul 29, 2014 21:26:27 GMT
Our boat was polished with Starbrite Premium Marine Polish and then waxed with Collinite Fleet wax. I let it go too long since the last wax job thus the polish. Looks new again. You can see the reflection of the fenders in the hull. Will keep a better watch on the wax this time. Should keep the nonslip cleaner. It took awhile after the last wax before experiencing problems with the nonskid.
|
|