New Old Boat

[EricB]

I am glad I found this forum - a first timer here.

I just bought a 1997 33' Sea Ray, original gelcoat (no paint), that is what I would describe as moderately oxidized. It probably hasn't seen any polishing or was in the last six months. A wet finger turns some chalk but reveals a dull shine beneath. No major stains or black streaks. After a good bath, my plan is One-Step Compound followed by 3M's Finesse-It - both with a PC orbital polisher and wool pads - followed by Flagship Premium Wax. I think this will do the job, but won't know until I see the result.

Here's my question - what's the best technique to restore, polish and wax the non-skid decking ? The foredeck on this boat is about 80% non-skid surface (small diamond pattern), the walkways adjacent to the toe-rails are a different, fine textured surface (like a gel coat additive). Washing is no problem, but after that I am concerned about getting polishing action within the non-skid and getting the stuff (polished, waxes, etc.) out.

I was thinking of using a series of clean brushes - bristle type paint brushes to limit the flow in application, followed by medium bristle scrub-type to rub/polish, and then soft feather-tip scrub type to buff.

Any thoughts?

[Jonesey]

Re: New Old Boat

I've used your brush plan on both diamond and dimple texture non-skid in the past, and it has worked great for me. The worst was a dark green Mariah that has faded heavily, and the swim grid was a diamond texture non skid.

I worked the # 67 One Step Cleaner Polish into the deck with a medium stiff scrub brush, removed with a softer brush, and a final buff with a MF. It still was'nt as deep green as the rest of the boat, but depending on the colour of your gel, it may not be as noticeable.

Good Luck

Glenn

[gorin002]

Re: New Old Boat

good luck success and show some pictuers

[EricB]

Re: New Old Boat

Thanks guys! I'll try the brush plan and let you know how it goes (a couple of weeks). I'll include some pics of the final project.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: New Old Boat

Bump

[Mike Phillips]

Re: New Old Boat

Here's my question - what's the best technique to restore, polish and wax the non-skid decking ? The foredeck on this boat is about 80% non-skid surface (small diamond pattern), the walkways adjacent to the toe-rails are a different, fine textured surface (like a gel coat additive). Washing is no problem, but after that I am concerned about getting polishing action within the non-skid and getting the stuff (polished, waxes, etc.) out.

I was thinking of using a series of clean brushes - bristle type paint brushes to limit the flow in application, followed by medium bristle scrub-type to rub/polish, and then soft feather-tip scrub type to buff.

Any thoughts?

There's no easy way to clean, polish and protect grooved surfaces on a boat for the exact reasons you outlined.

A wax, or paint protectant by any other name, (We always type this for all you Zaino guys that call that paint protectant a polish), is supposed to dry and thus leave a part of itself behind to be the protective layer.

Because a wax or pp dries, the problem then becomes how to get it out of the grooved, or diamond shaped texture found in a lot of boats.

Here's what we've done when we've detailed boats like this and it's not a perfect system but...

"Sometimes something is better than nothing"


We apply a cleaner/wax like M50 which is a one step product and scrub it in with a medium bristle brush, then after it dries we remove with with the same type of brush. Not very effective but you can visually see the fiberglass gel-coat will look better when your done assuming you get all of the wax out of the cracks.

It's a lot of work and for most people they would probably rather wash the grooved areas and live with whatever results they get from that.


It's a tough surface to maintain with a wax type product, something boat builders should have taken into consideration as a service to you the owner.

Good luck and please take some before pictures, some proces pictures and some after pictures to share with everyone that will ever read this thread and wonder how to do this.

[justgiver]

Re: New Old Boat

I would suggest using only a cleaner or compound on the non-skid surface due to the fact that if you apply a sealant or wax and need to walk on that surface mixed with some water, you may end up flat on your back.

Be very carefull, I have seen this happen once to often!!!!

Good luck, show some before and after pics.