Cleaning topside

[baz]

My R-25 Classic MY2010's topside is starting to look a bit grubby. Can this surface be cleaned with water and a splash of bleach and left for a few minutes before scrubbing and flushing it off with clean water ? My concern is will the bleach cause any issues (abnormal wearing, discoloration, spoil the surface look/shine, etc) with the topside surface which is mostly a skid proof texture ?

Thanks.

 

[SGIDAVE]

My R-25 Classic MY2010's topside is starting to look a bit grubby. Can this surface be cleaned with water and a splash of bleach and left for a few minutes before scrubbing and flushing it off with clean water ? My concern is will the bleach cause any issues (abnormal wearing, discoloration, spoil the surface look/shine, etc) with the topside surface which is mostly a skid proof texture ?

Thanks.

Hello Barry,

I saw a recommendation on the Rosborough group for Bar Keepers Friend Liquid (BKFL) and a small scrub brush to get into the corners and the non-skid decking. I've tried it on my little tug and it works well. There IS a little bleach in the BKFL which, I think, helps with the cleaning and stain-removing properties.

Fair Winds and Clean Decks,

dave

 

[j&lgray]

Dave;

The boat retailers have shelves of products to choose from because there are so many opinions and you will hear a few on this forum. Having had a Ranger 25 for 7 years and currently have a Ranger 29, I can only speak on what works for me:

Use Dawn soap if you want to strip off the wax, otherwise use a carwash type soap. Use the product FSR (fiberglass stain remover) if there is light oxidation of the fiberglass. This is a very mild, mild acid that when rinsed brings back the shine. wipe it on, let dry and rinse off. For medium to heavy oxidation, use a rubbing compound (I use the Starbrite product line). Then, wax it.

I really like the liquid wax products that have teflon in it. Smear it on, let dry, wipe and you are done. Do it again within 30 days and the tug will look fabulous for an entire season. However, I do not use this product on the deck surfaces because it is too slick.

Once the wax coats are on, the tug is cleaned with a spray bottle of 50-50 vinegar and water. This clean really, really well without taking off the wax. No Salt-Away, no other cleaner. Wow and Andiamo looks great.

 

[Levitation]

For the non skid portions of the topsides there is Woody Wax
http://www.myboatstore.com/woodywax.asp

If the gel coat needs more than just a good washing with vinegar and water:
A small buffer - 3" is perfect - with a pad
3M 05760 Perfect-It 3" Ultrafine Foam Polishing Pad (Amazon.com)

And some "3M Perfect It Machine Polish" (Amazon.com) will bring back the shine if the topsides are far enough gone as to need it.
I also like "MARINE 31 Gel Coat Final Step Polish"
And use which ever one comes to hand first as I root around on the shelf.

Do NOT use rubbing compound, or anything that says for removing scratches - It will destroy the shine and leave scratches that you will spend weeks buffing out with polish as you curse your fate.

 

[pleeson]

On the topic of home remedies I find a strong warm water mix of car wash and a stiff nylon brush supplemented with a direct spray of Marine Spray Nine (my miracle cleaner) on the grimier bits, followed by a fresh water rinse seems to work well on our textured decks. So far I have not had the nerve to coat the decks with anything in case of a slip issue. I have noted that I sure prefer the beige cockpit decking over the white stuff topside because of the challenge of keeping it looking like you care!

 

[Automaticman865]

I use a mixture of west marine boat soap and bleach and water add in one stiff brush.

 

[pugtug613]

If you can't get it as white as you would like, I use soft scrub w/bleach and a stiff brush on my hands and knees. (where shorts that you don't care about) Then I wash it down w/boat soap to make sure I get all the soft scrub off. It will work on most stains (red wine, rust) and it rinses off. I usually do it in the spring and only as needed during the season. Otherwise, just a good boat soap and a brush.

 

[Ken Boyd]

As required, mix one cup of chlorine laundry bleach with one gallon of water and pour the solution into a one gallon pump-up type garden sprayer. Spray the bleach solution onto the deck, let it soak in for about ten minutes, and then wash it off with a garden hose. The bleach solution does a wonderful job getting out the stains that build up in the nonslip textured deck surface. Repeat if necessary. I have never had any problems with spotting.

Few words of caution though. Wear old clothes when you do this because you will probably end up with some white spots on your clothes from the bleach solution. Also, strain the bleach solution through a fine mesh tea strainer when pouring it into the sprayer tank. In the past I have had problems with small crystals plugging up the sprayer orifice. The tea strainer will catch them and prevent this problem. Also, when you are through, be sure to wash out your sprayer really well with fresh water. If the bleach solution is left in the sprayer, the chlorine will destroy the rubber parts.

 

[baz]

Thanks to everyone for replying with their advice. I'm off to clean the topside with the bleach/water combo solution followed by a clean water flush. 🙂

 

[swordmanjosh]

If you aren't staying dockside I've always just used my pressure washer followed by a regular wash and wax. I've done this every year on my Glastron GS209, sadly I don't own a Ranger yet.